Air Fronts - A WW II Allied Air Power Documentary Repository

[Richard T Eger]

The site offers reproductions or translations of actual wartime manuals. The following is the site description taken directly from the site:

"Welcome to the Air Fronts Document Repository !

This web site is about World War II Air Power: The Air Services, the developments, the principles of application over time, the technology and - in many ways - providing the background of the day to day experience of those who brought it into being and those who had to execute it.

What the reader can expect to find here at the Air Fronts site, is the faithful reproduction - not necessarily adherent to scientific standards - of original period material on air power and aerial warfare from various allied air services and any related agencies, as is consistent with the current web publishing technology. This web site is about authenticity, not historic truth or accuracy in any respect. For any critical evaluation of the texts, please refer to the growing library of web links and books on the topics presented.

The materials presented on this web site originate mostly from Allied Air Services: The US AAF, US Navy, USMC, the RAF and other Commomwealth services. German Air Force sources - or other - will be presented in translation.

The headings and perspectives may change: From air and ground crew to the scientist or engineer, from high to squadron level command, form the newly joined Flying Cadet to the accomplished veteran pilot, from the home front - supposed to support the effort - to those who had to endure the effects of air power - one way or another."

The site address is:

http://ww2airfronts.org/

Sections of Luftwaffe interest are:

Pilot Training

Weapon Training: Gunsights - GAF Revi Series - "This page is offering the interested reader a rather free translation of a small booklet issued by the German Airforce to the fighterpilots. It is called "Horrido ! - des Jägers Schiessfibel. D.(Luft)5001"

Theaters

Air Fronts: Theaters of Operation - European Theater of Operation

The Battle Of Britain. August-October 1940; An Air Ministry Account of the Great Days from 8th August - 31st October 1940; Issued by the Ministry of Information on Behalf of the Air Ministry; first published 1941, His Majesty's Stationary Office, London

Target Germany. The US Army Air Force´s official story of the VIII Bomber Command´s first year over Europe, British Edition 1944. His Majesty's Stationary Office, London

Intelligence

Air Fronts: Military Maps and Aerial Photography

FM 21-25, Elementary Map and Aerial Photograph Reading, War Department Field Manual, Washington, 15 August 1944 (previous issues: 12 April 1941 with C1 - 1942, C2 - 1942, C3 - 1942)

FM 21-26, Advanced Map and Aerial Photograph Reading, War Department Field Manual, Washington, 23 December 1944

Air Fronts: Observation and Intelligence in the Field

FM 30-10, Basic Field Manual, Military Intelligence - Observation, prepared under direction of Chief of Staff, War Department, Washington, November 30, 1940.

Air Fronts: Recognition Training and Recognition Manuals

War Department Basic Field Manual, FM 21-80 - Recognition Training; War Department, 20 May 1944. This manual supersedes Training Circular No. 17. War Department, 1944

Identification of Aircraft for Army Air Forces Ground Observer Corps; Prepared in the Headquarters, Army Air Forces, expressly for the use by the A.A.F. Ground Observer Corps; Washingotn D.C.: 1942

War Department Basic Field Manual, FM 30-30, Military Intelligence. Identification of U.S. Government Aircraft, February 21, 1942. Prepared under direction of the Chief of Staff, Washington, February 21, 1942. Avialable as PDF.

War Department Field Manual, FM 30-30, Military Intelligence. Aircraft Recognition Pictorial Manual, Washington, April 1, 1943. This manual supersedes FM 30-30, February 21, 1942; FM 30-31, August 1, 1941; FM 30-34, July 18, 1941, FM 30-35, March 11, 1942; FM 30-38, March 16, 1942; FM 30-39, October 24, 1941. Training Division - Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department. FM 30-30 is identical to US NAVY BUAER 3. Avialable as PDF.

War Department Basic Field Manual, FM 30-35, Military Intelligence. Identification of German Aircraft, March 11, 1942. Prepared under direction of the Chief of Staff, Washington, March 11, 1942. Avialable as PDF.

War Department Basic Field Manual, FM 30-39, Military Intelligence. Identification of Italian Aircraft, October 24, 1941. Prepared under direction of the Chief of Staff, Washington, October 24, 1941 Avialable as PDF.

Aircraft Recognition Part I - (British), 1941. By Command of the Army Council; The War Office 19th March 1941; Notified in A.C. is 19th March 1941. 26/G.S. Publications/473

...

The site also lists other reports, but they are not presently on-line. Areas of the site are also under construction.

Regards,
Richard