Publisher's Synopsis
The First World War demanded revolutionary technology to break the vicious stalemate in which the armies of Europe found themselves, as soon as static, or trench warfare became established. One such technology was aerial reconnaissance and photography, which together with the growing intelligence use of phone tapping and radio intercepts, changed the nature of war forever. Colonel Terry J. Finnegan's Shooting the Front reviews the entire evolution of Allied aerial photography and photographic interpretation during the Great War, in a text packed with data and based upon meticulous research in archives worldwide. The photographs included are both informative and spectacular, charting perforce the early years of aviation itself. Shooting the Front shows not only how important aerial reconnaissance was to the war effort, but also how it became the foundation for modern-day exploitation of imagery and geospatial intelligence used to guide today's decision makers on global issues, and shaped intelligence work for generations to come. 'The definitive reference work . There is no chance that the work will ever be surpassed' - David R. Mets, Professor Emeritus, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies 'Truly a pathbreaking book' - Ernest R. May, Charles Warren Professor of American History, Harvard University 'This is a benchmark in World War I aviation history' - Walter J. Boyne, former director of the National Air & Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution 'Finnegan has done a remarkable job . He incorporates the previously neglected dimension of photographic interpretation and its comprehensive battlefield application, from front lines to rear echelons' - Dennis Showalter, Professor of History, Colorado College
