1944 Recon Photos....AKA a needle in a haystack!

Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:55 am

Hi All,

I was on Martin's tribute page, again, and I had a thought. Does anyone how I would find recon pictures from March 14, 1944, of Monte Cassino? Would they still even exist? Who would have them? How would I get them? Also, were there records kept about flights? Logbooks etc?? Who would have them? I was given a sheet with microfilm rolls listed on it, a long time ago, but they were not only expensive, but very vague as to the contents. It would have cost me several hundred dollars, and there was no way of knowing if what I was looking for would be there.

I have to believe the information is still out there, but I just don't know how to find it. Thanks in advance for any help! BTW, it goes without saying that any photos I find I will share with anyone who might be interested in them.

Best wishes,

Karen

Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:17 am

Karen

the 14 March 1944 mission that Dean was awarded his DFC for, was an artillery adjustment mission, where not necessarily photos were taken. Other than recon missions where enemy positions and movements were to be detected and photographed, the artillery adjustment task was to fly over a certain area and to observe ranging shots from the artillery at designated targets and then to radio precise adjustments to the artillery commanders until direct hits on the targets could be registered.

I have looked up the USAAF Combat Chronology MTO for that date, but nothing is mentioned re. this particular event.

There most probably are records kept at the AFHRA at Maxwell, but as you say - this might literally prove to be the needle in a haystack.

Maybe someone who will visit Maxwell in the near future can also check the files for any records and photos for you - for me it's half a world away.....

Have a good day
Martin

Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:47 am

Karen

I will check Frank Olynik's MTO Victory List tonight - he did usually mention his references - so we might be lucky and can narrow down the search grid.

Martin

Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:51 am

Thanks guys!!

Rob I will PM the info to you shortly! You guys are just the greatest!!

Karen