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Bomber Command statistics - Photographic - Photographic Ladder Categories

Discussion in 'Air War in Western Europe 1939 - 1945' started by Roger Marchant, Jul 5, 2005.

  1. Roger Marchant

    Roger Marchant recruit

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    Hi,


    I wonder if there's any old, bold bomb-aimer out there who can elucidate
    the derivation of 'Photographic - photographic ladder' and 'Photographic -
    bombing ladder' as the last two columns in WWII RAF bi-monthly Group
    Operational Summaries?


    A typical entry for a squadron might be '38.9 (2)'. Whereas the '(2)' is
    pretty obvious - second (best) on the table - I cannot work out what the
    '38.9' refers to. Perhaps a percentage accuracy score? But how?


    Any assistance gratefully received.


    Regards,


    Roger Marchant
    ex 17, 27, 45, 61, 228, etc
     
  2. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    Hello Roger - and a very warm welcome to these Forums ! [​IMG]

    You may have stumped us with your first question, though - it's a tough one. Rather than take an uneducated guess, I'll see if anyone else here can come up with any ideas..... [​IMG]
     
  3. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson "The" Rogue of Rogues

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    Bumping an old thread. (Which needs to be retitled... eh?)

    Thanks to Elinor Florence (member here)
    The Reluctant Bomb Aimer at: http://elinorflorence.com/blog/118275

    The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force officer Photo Interpreter used a stereoscope to examine the photos for bomb damage.
    Five photos were taken on every bombing run, triggered by the bomb release.
    If the bomb sight and the plane were accurately aimed, the photos showed where the bombs landed.
    The girls arranged the photographs in something called a “photo ladder.”
    The photos showing bombs landing farthest away from the target were on the bottom, and the closer you got to striking the target, the higher up the ladder your photos were placed.


    Title edited by Admin
     
  4. Elinor Florence

    Elinor Florence Active Member

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    I didn't ask my veteran Ed Kluczny about the percentage possibilities -- but I will check a few other sources and endeavour to answer your question. Thanks for reposting my Wartime Wednesdays blog.
     

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