Shooting the Front

What is remarkable about photography's role in the war is photography was already a well established fixture of the modern 19th century society. The aura of aviation's beginnings reflected countless attempts to consolidate known technologies into a reliable and workable framework. It was the aeroplan that became the driving force of aeiral observation in the Great War. It's ability to command the high ground and provide a concise view of the battle area, both tactically and strategically, would enamor both combatants and the public at large to new methods of warfare. Aerial observation quickly became an important resource as the forces maneuvered in the drive towards Paris. This comprehensive resource will interest military history and aviation enthusiasts, as well as persons in the intelligence field and t he coordinating illustrations, that include aircraft, cameras, people, aerial photos, and maps varying in scales, enhance the readers' experience

Colonel Terrence J. Finnegan is a recently retired USAF Reservist whose last assignment was at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. serving the Joint Military Intelligence College.  His parallel careers in the Air Force and the Department of Defense as a civil servant covered assignments around the globe, to include the National Security Agency, European Command, NATO, Pacific Command and Central Command during Operation Desert Storm.  As a retired civil servant, his career included the Defense Intelligence Agency, NORAD, Space Command and recently Northern Command.   Colonel Finnegan’s career primarily centered on intelligence and policy issues supporting NATO and NORAD Alliances.  His work also covered new frontiers in intelligence such as Information Operations.   He is presently a defense contractor supporting the National Guard.

CONTENTS Foreword Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Index About the Author List of Abbreviations Used in the Footnotes Part I: Aerial Reconnaissance and Photographic Interpretation during the War: A Chronological Overview Chapter 1: August to Late 1914: The Evolution of Aerial Reconnaissance as a Force Multiplier Chapter 2: Late 1914 to October 1915: Aerial Photographic Reconnaissance Takes the Stage Chapter 3: October 1915 to October 1916: Fortifications Across the Front Line Chapter 4: October 1916 to November 1917: Positional Warfare at its Zenith CONTENTS Foreword Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Index About the Author List of Abbreviations Used in the Footnotes