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

They spied on the enemy in World War Two: now the women tell their story, in their own words. In World War Two 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 analysed by Photographic Interpreters; the Intelligence produced from their reports influenced virtually every Allied operation planned and carried out during the war. An analytical mind, curiosity, the ability to search for clues and recognise 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, as every aspect of enemy activity was watched and analysed. Now the women of Medmenham, the 'Women of Intelligence', tell the story of their wartime life and work in their own words. AUTHOR: Christine Halsall has had a lifelong love of history. In 1992 she married a retired army officer who spent much of his career in Photographic Intelligence (PI). On retirement her and her husband volunteered to work in the Medmenham Collection the national archive of PI history, based in Buckinghamshire. As Collection Biographer, Christine has interviewed and recorded many Second World War photographic interpreters. SELLING POINTS: . The Medmenham Collection is exhibited at the British Intelligence Museum and IWM Duxford . How women in intelligence worked towards the war effort outside of Bletchley . Fascinating exploration of secret war work carried out by women, including Churchill's daughter . Includes many rare images, unpublished elsewhere, and entertaining interviews 80 b/w illustrations 20 colour illustrations

Ideal for readers interested in history.