WWI, Aerial Reconnaissance Camera, 1918

"The use of aerial photography rapidly matured during WWI, as aircraft used for reconnaissance purposes were outfitted with cameras to record enemy movements and defenses. The Royal Flying Corps recon pilots began to use cameras for recording their observations in 1914 and by the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915, the entire system of German trenches was being photographed. The first purpose-built and practical aerial camera was invented by Captain John Moore-Brabazon in 1915. The camera was inserted into the floor of the aircraft and could be triggered by the pilot at intervals. By the end of the war, aerial cameras had dramatically increased in size and focal power and were used increasingly frequently as they proved their pivotal military worth; by 1918 both sides were photographing the entire front twice a day and had taken over half a million photos since the beginning of the conflict. Caption: "Lieutenant J.H. Snyder receiving a French 1824 size camera that could photograph from 25, 000 feet, August 1918."

Picture No

10978332

Media ID

47619102

Size

3300px x 3965px (2.3MB)

Credit

Source

Photo Researchers

Date

1918