Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

In World War II, an ornate Victorian mansion overlooking the River Thames at Medmenham was the Headquarters of the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. It was here that the air photography, obtained by reconnaissance aircraft flying over the whole of enemy and occupied Europe, was analyzed by Photographic Interpreters; the Intelligence produced from their reports influenced virtually every Allied operation during the war. An analytical mind, curiosity, the ability to search for clues and recognize the unusual were essential qualities for the Interpreters and found in men and women from scientific and artistic backgrounds. Women made up half of the work force. Now the women of Medmenham tell the story of their wartime life and work—in their own words.

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Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

In World War II, an ornate Victorian mansion overlooking the River Thames at Medmenham was the Headquarters of the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. It was here that the air photography, obtained by reconnaissance aircraft flying over the whole of enemy and occupied Europe, was analyzed by Photographic Interpreters; the Intelligence produced from their reports influenced virtually every Allied operation during the war. An analytical mind, curiosity, the ability to search for clues and recognize the unusual were essential qualities for the Interpreters and found in men and women from scientific and artistic backgrounds. Women made up half of the work force. Now the women of Medmenham tell the story of their wartime life and work—in their own words.

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Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

by Christine Halsall
Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

Women of Intelligence: Winning the Second World War with Air Photos

by Christine Halsall

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$36.95 
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Overview

In World War II, an ornate Victorian mansion overlooking the River Thames at Medmenham was the Headquarters of the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. It was here that the air photography, obtained by reconnaissance aircraft flying over the whole of enemy and occupied Europe, was analyzed by Photographic Interpreters; the Intelligence produced from their reports influenced virtually every Allied operation during the war. An analytical mind, curiosity, the ability to search for clues and recognize the unusual were essential qualities for the Interpreters and found in men and women from scientific and artistic backgrounds. Women made up half of the work force. Now the women of Medmenham tell the story of their wartime life and work—in their own words.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780750982450
Publisher: The History Press
Publication date: 09/01/2017
Pages: 240
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

CHRISTINE HALSALL is currently a volunteer at the Medmenham Collection, the national archive of Photographic Interpretation history, based in Cambridgeshire. As Collection Biographer, she has interviewed many Second World War PIs, made presentations and contributed to publications on the role of women in wartime.

Table of Contents

Foreword Mr Geoffrey Stone 7

Preface 9

Glossary of Terms 11

1 The Road to Medmenham 13

2 The First Recruits 29

3 Learning the Art 45

4 Possible, Probable 61

5 Off Duty 79

6 Watching the Enemy 97

7 Millions of Photographs 115

8 A New Purpose for Photography 133

9 Most Secret 151

10 Further Afield 169

11 D-Day and Doodlebugs 187

12 And Then it was All Over 205

Endnotes 223

Bibliography 231

Acknowledgements 233

Index 237

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