W.W. I Aerial Photography

• Vanity Fair Magazine, 1918 •

The attached article,"Photography's Notable Part in the War" was written by an active participant in the aerial reconnaissance arm of the Royal Flying Corps, Captain Henry A. Wildon. He reported that both sides in the conflict recognized early on that intelligence gathering by way of camera and aircraft was a real possibility:

"Our first airplanes in France were not supplied with photographic equipment. It was not until the beginning of 1915 that the importance of of photography became apparent, and was made possible by improvements in the type and general stability of the airplane."

"This work of photographing the lines goes on daily, so that we do not rely on a map a week old; but, from day to day, correct our maps from prints from the photographic laboratory."

       *Silent Footage of an Aerial Reconnaissance Kite Being Launched*