How to decode WWII aerial photograph markings - Help

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Does anyone know how to decode the markings on the bottom of a WWII U.S. aerial photograph? I have a WWII aerial photograph after a bomb run, but I have no idea what the markings on the bottom mean. It states: 2034 (US39/3604)19MAR45(F/24)//10PG(1000)(17,000). 19MAR45 is obviously the date, but what about the other markings. F/24 the type of camera? 10PG means 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group? 17,000 the altitude? Thank you for your assistance.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 10, 2014 7:27 pm

This won't be 100% accurate without seeing the image itself, but what it should decrypt to is

2034: Individual frame No.
US 39/3604: Sortie No.
19MAR45: Date of sortie
F/24: Focal length of camera (24", so a K-17 or K-18 camera)
10PG: Unit

As for the last two, one of them will be the altitude in feet, most likely the 17,000.
Give me 5 minutes to dig out the relevant manuals to double check the deal with a double-entry for the altitude block.

EDIT:
Manual dug out, joint-service frame title specifications found.
Typically, it's an amalgam of RAF and AAF titling, and doesn't quite match either of them... :roll:

Chances are that sortie was a mixed-altitude flight, hence a double altitude block.

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Awesome! Thank you so much. That is what I was looking for. The image is not that exciting, just shows BDA "somewhere". I was trying to narrow down if it was a Pacific image or European image. The 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group was a European unit so that does narrow it down. Thanks for the help!

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How to decode WWII aerial photograph markings - Help

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