16
were being attempted so that they could know what to expect when viewing
the negatives. A larger volume of work fell on the R.A.F. side than on the Army
because most of the Army tasks were concerned with long-term policy, whereas the
Marshalling Yards, Airfields and Bomb Damage sorties all required an immediate
report; it was not until Night Photography (where the tasks were primarily for
the Army and of a tactical nature) was in full swing that John's Section had its
most strenuous periods.
As a result of exercise "EAGLE" it was agreed to add another squadron to 34
Wing to carry out night visual reconnaissance and low-level photography. There
was much argument as to the type of aircraft which would be most suitable for this
work, but eventually the
Wellington
was selected and,
on 5th May
,
69 Squadron
arrived at
Northolt
. This squadron, which came from Malta, was commanded
by
Martin Channon
and arrived at
Northolt
in large numbers but with no equipment.
This influx at such a late stage in the proceedings needed a great effort from
everybody; the squadron had to be equipped with aircraft which would need much
modification; the ground staff had to learn all the details of a new aircraft;
the crews had to be converted to fly them and to be taught the technicalities of
photography and reconnaissance in this theatre. In short they had to change
from daylight sorties over the sea to night sorties over the land, and they were
given just one month in which to be operational.
On 29th may,
Air Marshall Coningham
addressed the Wing on the tasks that lay
ahead of us and it was by this time obvious to everyone that "D" Day was only
a week or two ahead. The coastal strip, 2½ miles wide and stretching
from Blankenberghe to Avranches, which used to be covered once in every three months,
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