Still Pictures Aerial Photography in Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs
Airports in Mexico, 1930 - 1935 (165-APM)
These are aerial photographs of civilian and military air fields. Five of the prints, presumably taken around 1930, were sent to the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department by Colonel Gordon Johnston in 1930. Printed on these photographs is the notation "Fairchild-American Photo Aerial Surveys, S.A." The remaining photographs were received in the Geographic Branch of the Military Intelligence Division in 1936. Printed on these photographs is "CIA Mexicana Aerofoto, S.A."
Allied and German Positions on the Belgian Coast, 7/22/1917 (165-BEA)
These aerial prints (2 duplicates each), apparently from a German source, were collected by the Military Intelligence Division of the U.S. Army General Staff. The photographs show German and Allied positions in the area of Middlekerk and La Panne on July 22, 1917. Locations of some military positions have been inked into the prints; however, the captions do not include a key to the number codes used to mark the positions.
American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918 (165-WW)
The photographic files of the Historical Branch, War Plans Division, War Department General Staff were assembled by the Committee for Public Information and considered to be the "Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs". They were obtained from private sources, the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and other Federal and State government agencies. Some of the private sources were the American Red Cross; Central News and Photo Service; the International Film Service; Harris and Ewing; Western Newspaper Union; Underwood and Underwood; Paul Thompson; Inc. Some may still hold copyrights. Some of the photographs depict the unity of the nation and how overwhelming the war effort was. There are pictures of bonds; savings stamps and war loan drives; public gatherings; peace demonstrations and parades. Documented also were activities of libraries; hospitals; first aid stations; training camps and forts; most which are arranged by name or location. Photographs taken by the War Industries Board are grouped separately in alphabetical order such as blankets; cloth; machinery; metals; and other subjects. Photographs taken of airplanes are arranged alphabetically by name of the manufacturer, such as, Curtiss; Dayton-Wright; Ford; and others. Other wartime industries such as military equipment; motor vehicles; ships; ordinance; and other industries are included. Photographed also were groups of Afro-Americans in the military, such as, the Buffalos and the Rainbow Division; Women's Suffrage activities the Flu Epidemic of 1918; pioneer military aviation activities; volunteer and war relief organizations; AEF activities; propaganda and other anti-war activities. Views of Red Cross activities; the Boy Scouts of America; Camp Fire Girls; the American Library Association; and military training activities at schools and colleges are included. Noteworthy people are Henry Ford (shown on the Ford Peace Expedition); actors Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford, and Charlie Chaplin; Secretary of the Treasury, William McAdoo; Presidents William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and many others encouraging the war effort. The finding aid for the series is available in the Catalog series description and in the Still Pictures Research Room. This series is fully digitized.
Army Maneuvers at Fort William McKinley, 1925 (165-MC)
These are aerial and aerial oblique photographs taken by the 6th Photo Section, Air Service, Camp Nichols, of division maneuvers in the Philippine Islands in February 1925. The photographs accompanied the War Diary of February 19, 1925 for the 23rd Infantry Brigade. Most of the prints show rural areas, but there are a few of the town of Pasig, Philippine Islands.
British Photographs of World War I, 1914 - 1918 (165-BO)
A series of photographs acquired by the War Department depicting the military activities and personnel of several nations during World War I, 1914-1918. The images were taken by British photographers and depict several major subjects within the series. They include major military campaigns of the war such as Somme and Ancre, Salonika, Dardanells, and the Mesopotomian Campaigns. In the process of showing these campaigns the photos reveal the marching of troops to the front; the living conditions in the trenches; the transportation and communication problems; the food supply movement; and the human misery behind battlefield experiences. The images also reflect the homefront commitment. This includes the role women play in the factories, food production, the medical support by nurses, work in munitions plants, and drivers of trucks and ambulances. Other photographs show the role political and military leaders play in the war. These views include images of King George of England, President Poincare of France, the King and Queen of Belgium, and Representatives of the U.S. Congress. The photos also show military leaders such as Sir Douglas Haig, Field Marshall Foch, General John J. Pershing and Admiral Mayo. There are images that reveal late 19th, and early 20th century equipment. These photos show naval vessels, cannon, tanks, and other motor vehicles along with horse drawn vehicles. And there are photographs depicting the use of new types of aircraft and aerial photography. The finding aid for the series is available in the Still Pictures Research Room. This series is fully digitized.
Czechoslovakian Army Instruction at Politz, 1923 (165-CAP)
This series contains photographs of the Czechoslovakian Army receiving instruction at Politz, Czechoslovakia. Prints show the troops eating, sleeping, marching, and on maneuvers. There are also a large amount of posed group photos, one while sitting on motorcycles. One photo shows troops transporting airplanes by horse drawn wagons. Also included are a few aerial views of the area. There is no additional information on these records. There are no negatives for these prints.
Photographs of Gulf Oil Company Oil Towns and Camps in Mexico, 1921 (165-GOC)
In 1921, H.D. McLean, of the Gulf Oil Company, photographed oil towns and camps which were springing up throughout Vera Cruz, Mexico. Views include street scenes; aerial views; pump stations; and the surrounding areas of Zacamixtle, Tepetate, and Amatlan. There are also three photos of a railroad bend; a car and two men; and four men in uniforms which don't appear to belong in this series. No information about these records is available. This series is partially digitized.