Kew Records (TNA) - Air 34 Files?

[ianh]

Hi all

Browsing TNA Catalogue recently I came across the list for the above.

Just wondered if anyone has looked at these and knows what's in all those "Interpretation Reports" (among other things) catalogued there in Air 34. Is it just PRU photos and analysis reports? Maybe night raid bombing photos and plots? A friend of mine has got a pile of the 'Evidence in Camera' aerial photo mags which are also listed in there and those are very interesting.

I haven't got a clue what else might be there, so wonder if it could be worth a nose into Air 34 one day, out of curiousity.

Ian

[Pierre Renier]

Hi Ian

Do you have a specific area of interest as this a huge set of records to consult. A typical file could easily take an hour or more just browsing.

I'm sure other forum members can also advise. In essence these are the reports compiled by the PIU, later CIU and finally ACIU, based on many diverse sources of images though mainly from strategic and tactical PR squadrons. The reports where compiled at three stages, the final of which was very much by subject. For example, airfields, industry, communications, railways etc.

Not all sets contain images as I think a lot were removed prior to deposit at the then PRO. However there are probably more than enough present to keep you going.

In your query about night raid plots I would venture you examine the N series reports. As I said if you say what areas are of interest then some pointers can be provided.

Regards
Pierre

[ianh]

Hi Pierre, thanks for that advice.

While my general area of interest is Bomber Command, I have no specific 'wants' in mind at the moment. I just came across the list of files in Air 34 in the Catalogue and was curious as to what they might contain behind those file titles. You never know what hidden gems are tucked away up at Kew, waiting to be discovered.

Ian

[Pierre Renier]

Hi Ian

Thinking about your interest in Bomber Command the other big batch of files that spring to mind are the K series of reports which as I recall are post raid bomb damage assesments. AIR 34/245 - AIR 34/270 lots there to mull over. They also tend to have maps showing the areas of damage inflicted.

Regards
Pierre

[Hans Nauta]

Hello Ian,

I've gone through thousands of reports in AIR 34. If you've no specific wants than the K series might be interesting, as Pierre already pointed out.
These are indeed bomb raid damage assessments, however, the SA series (AIR34-361 to 379) contain interpretation reports together with stunning low level oblique photographs taken during the attacks of mainly 2 Group aircraft during the Circus, Ramrod and Roadsted missions.

Kind regards,
Hans Nauta