AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE
THE RECONNAISSANCE SPITFIRES OF 16 SQUADRON PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE THROUGHOUT D-DAY AND THE BATTLE FOR NORMANDY, AS ANDREW THOMAS DESCRIBES.
This remarkably clear photograph shows the bridges over the Caen Canal and River Orne, where a small number of Horsas can be seen – at the top are Horsas of the 6th Airborne Division scattered across the landing zone. (16 SQUADRON RECORDS)
Having an accurate picture of the German defences shortly before, during and after D-Day was of paramount importance to the Allies, and the task of bringing back the vital intelligence pictures fell primarily to the photo-recce teams within the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF). One of the prominent units undertaking the work was 16 Squadron.
