Document text
FM 1-40
ioM/
itHW
WAR DEPARTMENT
AIR CORPS
FIELD MANUAL
j*
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN
AVIATION UNITS
CLASSIFIED sv-
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
&
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN
AVIATION UNITS
Prepared under direction of the
Chief of the Air Corps
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1940
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, September 9, 1940.
FM 1-40, Air Corps Field Manual, Intelligence Procedure
in Aviation Units, is published for the information and guid-
ance of all concerned.
[A. G. 062.11 (6-1 7-40). I
By Order of the Secretary of War:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
Official :
E. S. ADAMS,
Major General ,
The Adjutant General.
ii
TABLE OP CONTENTS
Chapter 1. General. Paragraphs Page
Section I. Scope and definitions 1-3 1
II. Military intelligence 4-9 2
III. Intelligence for initial air opera-
tions t . 10 5
Chapter 2. Intelligence Procedure With GHQ
Aviation.
Section I. General 11-13 6
II. Collection of information 14-20 9
III. Recording and classifying infor-
mation 21-27 20
IV. Evaluation and interpretation of
information 28-32 24
V. Dissemination of intelligence 33-41 27
VT. Application of intelligence pro-
cedure to tactical organization
Of GHQ aviation 42-50 32
Chapter 3. Intelligence Procedure With Recon-
naissance (Army, Corps, and Division) and Ob-
servation and Liaison Aviation.
Section I. General 51-53 41
II. Collection of information 54^57 43
III. Procedure in reporting informa-
tion 58-60 47
IV. Dissemination of intelligence 61-63 48
Appendix I. Examples of forms 53
II. List of references 65
Index 67
in
FM 1-40
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
Paragraphs
Section I. Scope and definitions 1-3
II. Military intelligence 4-9
III. Intelligence for initial air operations 10
Section I
SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS
® 1. Scope. — a. This manual describes the nature, scope, and
form of military intelligence required by the Air Corps for
initial and subsequent operations; means of obtaining infor-
mation and methods of converting this information into
military intelligence; functions and duties of Air Corps intelli-
gence sections; and training in intelligence procedure of Air
Corps units.
b. Air Corps personnel assigned to intelligence duties will
be governed by the provisions of this manual and the FM 30-
series on military intelligence.
c. Air Corps personnel will familiarize themselves with the
contents of this manual in order that they may cooperate
more efficiently with their intelligence personnel during the
conduct of air operations.
■ 2. References. — This manual should be studied in con-
junction with the references listed in appendix IL
■ 3. Definitions. — a. Information. — The term “information"
as used in intelligence procedure includes all documents, facts,
photographs, diagrams, maps, reports, or observations of any
kind which may serve to throw light on a possible or actual
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
enemy’s military, economic, and political situation as will
affect us in a war against him.
b. Military intelligence. — When all information available
at the moment has been collected, segregated as to subject
matter, evaluated as to authenticity, interpreted as to mean-
ing, critically analyzed, and strategical or tactical conclusions
have been drawn therefrom, the result is known as “military
intelligence.”
Section II
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
■ 4. Classes. — Military intelligence is divided into two gen-
eral classes: combat intelligence and War Department
intelligence.
a. Combat intelligence is the military intelligence produced
in the field after the outbreak of hostilities by the military
intelligence section of GHQ and by corresponding sections
of all subordinate units. Generally, this class of intelligence
is confined to deductions made from a consideration of infor-
mation of the enemy’s location, strength, composition, dis-
positions, movements, armament, equipment, logistical system,
and lines of communication: of his tactics, training, discipline,
and morale; and of the terrain and current weather condi-
tions existing in the theater of operations.
b. War Department intelligence is the military intelligence
produced under the direction of the War Department General
Staff in peace and in war. Every country and possible theater
of operations are studied. These studies include composition,
distribution, fighting quality, organization, armament, equip-
ment, and tactical and supply methods of the armed forces;
personality of high commanders; resources in manpower and
material and period of time required to convert these to
military use; economic and political conditions and aspira-
tions; history and national psychology; and military geogra-
phy, topography, and climatic conditions. This intelligence
furnishes the basis for projected operations and for changes
in organization, training, armament, equipment, and supplies
to meet the tactical methods of a particular enemy, possible
or actual. The Military Intelligence Division of the War
Department General Staff is responsible for producing and
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 4-8
disseminating this intelligence, keeping it up to date, and
issuing the necessary maps, monographs, and reports to the
field forces whenever required by them.
H 5. Intelligence Responsibility of Chief of the Air
Corps. — a. The Chief of the Air Corps is charged with pro-
ducing detailed intelligence required for initial operations.
b. Because of similarity in scope and use, intelligence pro-
duced under the direction of the Chief of the Air Corps in
peace and in war also is referred to as War Department
intelligence.
H 6. Military Intelligence in the Commander’s Decision. —
a. The air commander’s decision is based upon his mission
as it may be affected by the following factors:
(1) Exact location and nature of the objective and arrange-
ment of targets therein. (See pars. 14a and 40.)
(2) Strength, disposition, and effectiveness of hostile com-
bat aviation and air and ground antiaircraft defenses *at and
en route to and from the objective. (See par. 14b.)
(3) Weather conditions at and en route to and from the
objective. (See par. 14c.)
(4) Means available for execution of the mission.
b. The air commander will require the most complete and
timely information available on three unknown factors; the
objective, enemy’s combat aviation and antiaircraft strength,
and weather. Having made his decision, he will require con-
tinuing information on location and disposition of the objec-
tive (if it is an objective capable of movement) ; on any vari-
ation in initial strength of enemy air striking and antiair-
craft forces; and on any changes in weather conditions, so
as to permit him to continue projected operations or to make
a new decision in view of a changed situation.
■ 7. Object of Combat Intelligence. — It is the object of com-
bat intelligence to reduce as far as possible the uncertainties
regarding the unknown factors involved in the commander’s
decision, thus not only assisting the commander in arriving
at his decision, but also assisting the units in executing the
missions based on the decision.
■ 8. Intelligence as a Basic Function of Command. — Since
intelligence constitutes a vital element in a commander’s de-
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8-9 air corps field manual
cision and in his detailed plan of operations for the execution
of his mission, it follows that it is a basic function of com-
mand to initiate and coordinate the search for necessary in-
formation to produce intelligence upon which to base decisions
and plans of operation. Further, the actions of subordinate
units in the execution of the commander’s plan must be
guided by the intelligence produced by continued receipt of
information concurrently with development of operations.
S3 9. Intelligence Officer. — Wherever the term “intelligence
officer” is used in this manual it is interpreted to include the
G-2 of higher commands and the S-2 of lower units. The
intelligence officer is responsible to the commander for car-
rying on the general functions of military intelligence.
a. Intelligence functions appropriate to a specific mission
are to —
(1) Specify the information to be gathered.
(2) .Initiate and maintain a systematic and coordinated
search for required information by all available collecting
agencies.
(3) Collate, evaluate, and interpret all information col-
lected.
(4) Reduce the resulting intelligence to a systematic and
concise form and disseminate it to all concerned in time to be
of value to the recipients.
(5) . Insure that intelligence is given due consideration in
the preparation of plans and that orders are checked to see
that this is done.
b. Additional intelligence functions of a general nature are
to —
(1) Initiate counterintelligence measures and check to see
that they are strictly enforced.
(2) Assure an adequate supply and distribution of maps
and map substitutes.
(3) Maintain close liaison with the intelligence sections of
higher, lower, and adjacent units.
(4) Exercise general supervision over all intelligence ac-
tivities in the unit.
(5) Supervise all combat intelligence training in the unit.
(6) Coordinate requests for aerial photographs, and in
some echelons determine their distribution.
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
10
Section III
INTELLIGENCE FOR INITIAL AIR OPERATIONS
■ 10. Nature and Scope. — The nature and scope of War De-
partment intelligence required by the Air Corps for initial
operations are as follows:
a. For strategical planning . — To permit evaluation of the
possibilities of employing air power in independent operations,
or in support of ground or naval forces against a specific
enemy or in a specific theater.
b. For technical planning. — (1) To permit attainment and
maintenance of leadership in the development of aircraft
and all items of equipment used by and for aircraft or aviation
personnel.
(2) To permit development and insure adequacy of tactics,
technique, and operating means and methods of Air Corps
units.
c. For tactical planning and execution of plans. — (1) To
permit preparation of tactical and logistical plans for initial
operations of aviation forces in a given theater.
(2) To permit preparation of orders for, and execution of,
initial operations against assigned objectives by striking
forces.
(3) To permit planning and execution of air movements
to any given theater.
255114° — 40 2
5
11-12
CHAPTER 2
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE WITH GHQ AVIATION
Paragraphs
Section I. General 11-13
II. Collection of information 14—20
m. Recording and classifying information 21-27
IV. Evaluation and interpretation of information 28-32
V. Dissemination of intelligence 33-41
VI. Application of intelligence procedure to tactical
organizations of GHQ aviation 42-50
Section I
GENERAL
■ 11. Purpose. — The purpose of this section is to outline the
general intelligence requirements for GHQ aviation units and
indicate the normal intelligence procedure in chronological
order within GHQ aviation.
■ 12. General Requirements for Intelligence.— a. The in-
telligence requirements for GHQ aviation units for initial air
operations beyond the sphere of action of surface forces will
in the main be furnished by War Department Intelligence.
The commander of an aviation force will base his plan for
such initial operations upon the mission he receives from the
commander of the field forces. Generally the latter will
designate a system of objectives, the destruction of which
would contribute most to the defeat of the enemy. If War
Department intelligence furnished the air commander is suf-
ficient to include not only a list of priorities of objectives
within the system of objectives but also complete objective
folders covering these objectives, then the mission may well
be to initiate combat operations without preliminary air
reconnaissance of any kind. However, in the majority of
cases, the mission assigned to the air force commander by
the commander of the field forces will require initial air
operations in the form of major reconnaissances, followed
by striking force reconnaissance, and in turn by an air offen-
6
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
12-13
sive. In the latter case, Initial air operations are for the
purpose of producing combat intelligence required by the air
commander to make his decision and plan of action.
b. The intelligence requirements for GHQ aviation units
for subsequent air operations beyond the sphere of action of
surface forces, or air operations in antiaircraft defense, or in
support of ground or naval forces, or in lieu of naval forces
are essentially the same and are outlined in the paragraphs
below.
H 13. Normal Sequence. — a. The functions of an intelligence
officer on the staff of an air commander follow a routine se-
quence and when viewed as a whole illustrate a coordinated
and continuing process.
b. A sequence or cycle of intelligence procedure for any
specific tactical mission may be as follows:
Note. — I n the following outline, actions by the intelligence officer
are shown in italics, whereas corresponding actions of the air com-
mander, other members of his staff, or by the air combat units
themselves are in plain type.
(1) Prior to the tactical employment of an air combat umt,
the intelligence officer of the unit will receive from the com-
mander of the field forces through proper channels, all the
War Department intelligence available upon the theater of
operations and/or bearing upon the general mission to which
that particular air unit is assigned (pars. 4b, 10c, and 14a) .
He may also have produced some preliminary corhbat intelli-
gence from information collected from early reconnaissance,
(2) The commander of the air combat unit to which the
intelligence officer is assigned (henceforth referred to as the
air commander) receives an order from higher authority
assigning a tactical mission. The air commander makes a
commander’s estimate of the situation considering therein
certain factors that may affect his mission (par. 6b).
(3) The intelligence officer assists his commander in mak-
ing the commander's estimate by furnishing him as com-
pletely as possible intelligence on the following factors:
(a) Exact location and description of the objective and
arrangement of targets therein . This will be in the form of
objective folders except in the case of fleeting objectives (par.
14a).
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
( b ) Strength , disposition antf effectiveness of hostile air
and ground antiaircraft defenses at and en route to and from
the objective, and the enemy situation and capabilities as
they affect the air attack of the objective. This will be fur-
nished in the form of an intelligence estimate of the situation
(par. 36).
(c) Weather conditions at and en route to and from the
objective in the form of a route forecast obtained from the
weather service.
(4) The air commander now announces to his staff his
decision and his directive for the plan of operation of his
unit in carrying out the mission assigned him. Also at this
time, he announces those additional items of information
regarding the objective, enemy's capabilities as to influencing
the conduct of the mission, and weather conditions which
he must have to conduct the operation he has decided upon.
(5) The intelligence officer frames the needed items of
information into clear and concisely stated essential elements
of information and recommends them to his commander to
be published as such (par. 15) .
(6) The air commander designates these essential elements
of information with any modifications he may make and
causes them to be published to the command. He then directs
the intelligence officer to instruct all available information
collecting agencies (par. 16) to concentrate upon the collec-
tion of these essential elements of information.
(7) Based upon the framework of the essential elements of
information and in conformity with the air commander's
directive, the intelligence officer prepares the intelligence
plan for the collection of information (par. 17 and form C,
app. I) . He coordinates this with other members of the
staff, especially the operations officer, and presents it for the
air commander's approval.
(8) The air commander approves the intelligence plan with
any modifications he may desire and directs the intelligence
officer to issue the necessary instructions to collecting agencies
to put the plan into effect.
(9) The intelligence officer consolidates the instructions to
each collecting agency and immediately issues them in the
form of intelligence orders to each subordinate agency and
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 13-14
in the form of requests to higher, neighboring , and cooperat-
ing units. Likewise he prepares the Intelligence Annex , if
necessary, to accompany the field order (par. 18) .
(10) As a result of the receipt of the intelligence orders
above, the several collecting agencies obtain and forward to
the intelligence officer items of enemy information, especially
such items as bear directly on the essential elements (pars.
15 and 19) .
(11) The intelligence officer receives the incoming infor-
mation, recording it in the intelligence journal (par. 24) ;
collates the information, using the intelligence work sheet
(par. 25) ; evaluates the information (par. 29) ; and inter-
prets the information, reducing it into usable concise items
of combat intelligence (par. 30). He then dissemi?iates this
combat intelligence in any or all of the following ways to
the air commander and to higher, lower, neighboring, and
cooperating unit commanders :
(a) By personal contact, special messages to, or confer-
ences with intelligence officers of units concerned (par. 35).
(b) By posting it on intelligence situation map (par. 26) .
(c) By presenting a new intelligence estimate of the situa-
tion to the air commander and staff (par. 36).
id) By issuing a periodic intelligence report (par. 37).
(e) By issuing special intelligence reports and intelligence
studies (par. 38) .
(/) By issuing an intelligence summary to units concerned
(par. 39).
( g ) By issuing objective folders as received from higher
headquarters, or by issuing photographs, overlays, diagrams ,
or written changes or additions to specific objective folders
already issued ; or by initiating new objective folders upon
the discovery of new objectives (pars. 14a and 40).
( h ) By field orders and intelligence annexes thereto (par.
41).
Section II
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
■ 14. General. — The specific aim of combat intelligence in air
operations is to provide the air commander with essential
intelligence at the time he needs it on the objective, enemy
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
capabilities, and weather. To insure the accomplishment of
this aim, the first step in combat intelligence procedure, that
is, the collection of information, must be organized to pro-
vide speed and economy of means and effort and must be
directed to secure specific information.
a. Objective. — The necessity for accurate and complete in-
formation upon the objectives specified in the allotted mis-
sion is of prime importance.
(1) Classification. — Air objectives may be classified for in-
telligence as well as tactical purposes as fixed, transient, or
fleeting.
(a) Fixed objectives consist of those structures or installa-
tions not normally subject to movement as a consequence of
war. This class of objectives includes permanent buildings,
standard railway systems, massive bridges of improved high-
way systems, factories, oil refineries, power plants, permanent
docks, structures pertaining to canals or inland waterways,
and all other permanent installations.
(b) Transient objectives consist of those structures, instal-
lations, or facilities that are of a temporary value or subject
to movement as a consequence of war. This class of objec-
tives includes temporary military installations such as supply
depots, ammunition dumps, and ponton bridges.
(c) Fleeting objectives consist of those objects which pos-
sess the power of motion. This class of objectives includes
vehicles of all kinds, watercraft, aircraft, and troops.
(2) Objective folder. — An objective folder is a permanent
file of all intelligence available upon a specific objective com-
piled in convenient form to facilitate subsequent study for
the planning of air attack of that objective. (See par. .40.)
(a) Intelligence required to conduct efficient air operations
against fixed and transient objectives is susceptible of being
compiled and filed in objective folders.
(b) During peacetime, the Chief of the Air Corps is respon-
sible for initiating and maintaining objective folders for
initial operations within all possible theaters of operation.
When hostilities become imminent, the War Department will
forward such of these objective folders as are pertinent to
the commander of the field forces who will assign them to air
units under his command as he sees fit. The performance of
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 14
initial air operations, particularly major and striking force
reconnaissance, will normally result in the discovery of new
objectives and the initiation of objective folders thereon as
directed by the commander of the field forces.
(c) The initiation and completion of objective folders on
additional objectives brought to light as a result of subsequent
air operations will be the responsibility of the air commanders
of wings or equivalent task forces and higher air commands
in the theater of operations.
b. Enemy capabilities . — The lines of action of which the
enemy is physically capable and which can possibly affect
the accomplishment or the manner of execution of the air
mission are called the enemy capabilities for that particular
situation. Consideration of enemy capabilities is essential
in the planning and execution of each air mission and should
include the following:
(1) Ability of the enemy to act in various ways which will
affect directly or indirectly the proper determination of our
mission as well as detailed planning for the mission and its
subsequent execution depend upon the characteristics of the
enemy’s air and surface forces and the powers and limita-
tions of the enemy’s air and surface weapons.
(2) Mobility of aircraft affords the enemy wide latitude in
the employment of his aviation forces and in selection of
areas of operation, subject to limitations imposed by type,
range, and availability and location of bases. The enemy
may be able to conduct either offensive or defensive air opera-
tions, or both, simultaneously or in quick succession, in widely
separated areas at some distance from his supporting surface
forces and without regard to the control of intervening land
or water areas. He may be able to reduce the profitableness
of previously profitable objectives for our air attack by rapid
changes in his dispositions. He may be able to take advan-
tage of our air operations to improve the profitability of his
operations. Hence, consideration must be given to —
(a) Enemy capabilities for impeding the execution of our
air operations either by counter air force operations or by
means of antiaircraft defense.
( b ) Enemy capabilities for reducing the profitability of a
previously profitable objective for our air attack.
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
(c) Enemy capabilities for taking advantage of our air
operations to improve the profitability of his operations.
c. Weather conditions . — The importance of weather condi-
tions along the route to, and at the objective, cannot be over-
looked, particularly in planning air operations against distant
objectives deep in enemy territory. Weather conditions fre-
quently may exercise material influence upon the form of
attack and type of weapons employed and in addition may
dictate the time of attack and selection of routes and ap-
proaches to the target. It may be necessary to supplement
forecasts made by the weather unit by reconnaissance flights
solely for the purpose of obtaining weather data to assist in
building up a more complete forecast.
■ 15. Essential Elements of Information.— a. The essential
elements of information constitute that information of the
objective, enemy capabilities, and weather conditions which
an air commander greatly desires in order to make a sound
decision, conduct an air operation, or to formulate the details
of a plan of operation.
b. The air commander is responsible for designating the
essential elements of information, but in determining them
he is assisted by his staff, in particular, his intelligence officer.
The latter should thoroughly familiarize himself with the air
mission, specifically the objectives, and should continuously
study the enemy situation and capabilities and existing and
forecast weather conditions in order to be able to advise the
air commander as to the effect of these factors upon the
initial designation of essential elements and needed changes
or additions thereto.
c. Essential elements of information may be expressed
either in the form of questions or items of information de-
sired. They will include questions or statements as to infor-
mation desired on all or a part of the following, depending
upon the situation :
(1) Additional information of objectives.
(2) Enemy capabilities that might affect the accomplish-
ment of the air mission, to include known enemy antiaircraft
defense measures.
(3) Weather conditions.
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 15-16
(4) Special information requested by higher, neighboring,
or cooperating units.
d . Essential elements of information, when formulated,
enable the intelligence officer to devise an intelligence plan
for collection of information which will focus the attention
and activities of all collecting agencies on that information
which is necessary at the particular time. Subject to modi-
fication as the operation progresses, the essential elements
constitute the general directive for all intelligence missions.
The designation of essential elements does not limit the
activities of agencies to the collection of information con-
cerning them alone. It is the duty of every agency to collect
and transmit all information of the enemy situation that is
obtained. However, the primary duty of collecting agencies
is to obtain information bearing upon the designated essential
elements.
e. (1) The essential elements are announced by the air
commander to his staff as soon as he has made his tactical
decision for a given mission and as a part of his directive.
This facilitates staff coordination between the intelligence
plan, the tactical plan, and the logistical plan.
(2) The essential elements are published by the intelli-
gence officer to the collecting agencies and to the commanders
of subordinate combat units, as well as to the commanders
of higher, neighboring, and cooperating units. The method
of publication to the collecting agencies is usually by includ-
ing the essential elements in the initial intelligence orders
to these agencies in which the intelligence officer assigns
them intelligence missions in conformance with the given
tactical mission. The method of informing all other units
mentioned above is usually by including them in a special
message. In any case, the essential elements will again be
stated, if only for purposes of confirmation, in the intelligence
annex to the field order for the tactical mission.
■ 16. Collecting Agencies. — Collecting agencies available to
an air commander vary with the size and composition of his
command. They may include all or part of the following:
(For additional collecting agencies see FM 30-5.)
a. Reconnaissance aviation, consisting of one or more
reconnaissance squadrons and any bombardment aviation
255114
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AIK CORPS FIELD MANUAL
units initially assigned to reconnaissance duties. In the
higher air commands, these units are functionally grouped
under one command and designated as the “air reconnais-
sance force.”
h. Bombardment aviation, consisting of one or more groups
of the same or different classes of bombardment aviation. In
the higher air commands, these units are functionally grouped
under one command and designated as the “air striking
force.”
c. Pursuit and fighter aviation, consisting of one or more
groups of the same or different classes of pursuit and/or
fighter aviation. In the higher air commands, these units may
be separated from the air command and functionally grouped
together with antiaircraft artillery units and aircraft warn-
ing service personnel, and designated as the “air defense
force.”
d . Antiaircraft Artillery Intelligence Service.
e. Aircraft warning service.
/. Ground observation post systems, such as Coast Artillery
observation posts, Coast Guard lifesaving stations, forestry
service lookout stations, lighthouses, Government weather
reporting stations, commercial airport control towers, etc.
g. Supported, supporting, or neighboring units of the
ground forces.
h. Supported, supporting, or adjacent units of the Navy
and of the Coast Guard Sea Patrol.
i. Army Signal Intelligence Service which includes tele-
graph and telephone listening stations, radio interception,
radio direction finding, and laboratories for the solution of
codes, ciphers, and secret inks.
j. Higher and adjacent air commands.
k. Espionage.
I Study of the hostile and neutral press.
m. Examination of captured materiel and documents.
n. Examination of prisoners of war, deserters, repatriates,
and inhabitants.
o. Chemical Warfare Service in connection with determin-
ing the nature of gas employed by the enemy.
p. Ordnance Department in connection with determining
type bombs employed by the enemy.
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INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
17
B 17. Intelligence Plan. — a. The essential elements of in-
formation having been announced, it is necessary that definite
and precise instructions for obtaining required information
be given to the collecting agencies. To avoid any possibility
of omission or conflict, the intelligence officer must follow
a logical, orderly mental process in analyzing and trans-
forming the essential elements of information into missions,
in allotting the missions to collecting agencies, and in desig-
nating the time and method of reporting the information to
the intelligence officer. The scope of the intelligence plan
depends upon the sphere of action of the commander for
whom it is drawn. It will be subsequently modified to con-
form to new decisions made by the commander during the
development of the situation. A form for use in the prepara-
tion of the intelligence plan is shown below.
INTELLIGENCE PLAN FOR COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
Phases or periods
of the operation or
objective folder
number and title
Essential
elements
of infor-
mation
Analysis of
essential
elements of
information
Collecting
agency or
other
source
Specific
orders or
requests
Time and method
of reporting
information.
Remarks
b. The following steps are necessary in preparing an intel-
ligence plan for the collection of information:
(1) Determine the phase of the operation or time period
which it is intended the plan will embrace. The period should
not be so long that drastic changes in the essential elements
of information are likely to be necessary, nor so short that
numerous missions must be reassigned. The phase or period
decided upon is written in column 1. The identification
number and title of objective folders for those objectives and
additional information upon which the air commander has
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
specifically designated as essential elements of information
will also be placed in column 1.
(2) List In column 2 the designated essential elements of
information including essential elements that refer directly
to the completion of objective folders indicated in column 1
and essential elements designated by higher headquarters.
(3) Analyze each essential elements, breaking it down into
the specific items of information which if obtained will fur-
nish answers to questions involved in the essential element
to which each relates. Certain essential elements will require
very little analysis by the intelligence officer in order to
transform them into suitable reconnaissance missions. If the
information to be obtained gives a direct answer to the
inquiry contained in an essential element, analysis is unneces-
sary. Others, however, must be subjected to careful analysis
in order to determine what indications must be sought to
answer the inquiries contained therein. This analysis will
be placed in column 3 opposite the essential element to which
it refers.
(4) Determine the agency or agencies to be assigned the
mission of reporting on each item of analysis. When prac-
ticable, more than one agency should be assigned missions
relating to the same analysis, thus assuring to the intelligence
officer verification of reports and guaranteeing positive in-
formation in cases where, due to weather conditions or enemy
action, one of the agencies is unable to obtain the informa-
tion desired. Each agency may be assigned more than one
item of the analysis upon which to collect information. To
utilize properly the available collecting agencies, it is nec-
essary that the intelligence officer is thoroughly conversant
with their powers and limitations, and that he coordinate
closely with the operations officer in planning the use of
combat units as collecting agencies while on tactical assign-
ments. The selections and assignments of agencies will be
placed in column 4 opposite each item of the analysis to
which they refer.
(5) Formulate and assign specific and definite missions
for each agency with respect to each item upon which that
agency is to report. These will be drawn up in the form of
orders for those agencies under the command of the air
16
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 17-18
commander and in the form of requests to those agencies,
both civil and military, which are not under the command
of the air commander. In most cases, requests for the
delivery of information made upon civil agencies or upon
Navy or Coast Guard units will be forwarded, through chan-
nels, to the commander of the field forces (or his equivalent
in the given theater of operations) . Orders or requests will
be placed in column 5, opposite the agency to which they
refer as listed in the previous column.
(6) Indicate in column 6 for each order or request, the
time it is desired that the information be received by the
intelligence officer, and the method or channels by or through
which it is be transmitted. In the case of continuing recon-
naissance missions, the time intervals of reporting should be
stated.
c. An example of an intelligence plan for the collection
of information is shown as form C, appendix I.
0 18. Instructions to Collecting Agencies. — When ap-
proved, the completed intelligence plan forms the basis for
orders to all collecting agencies. These orders are either
published as an intelligence annex to field orders or by frag-
mentary orders. When combat units are required to execute
tactical operations in order to obtain information, their tac-
tical missions only and not details of the information re-
quired will be covered by paragraph 3 of the field order.
a. (1) An intelligence annex to a field order is issued by a
group, a wing or equivalent task force, and a higher air unit
whenever the intelligence instructions are too extensive to
be included in the field order. Instructions to each collecting
agency as developed in the intelligence plan for collection
of information are grouped together in one paragraph for
each agency. Even though an annex is to be issued, missions
which should not be delayed should be assigned originally
in fragmentary intelligence orders ; such mission assignments
are repeated in the annex if they have not become obsolete
by the time it is issued.
(2) The intelligence annex serves as a guide during the
contemplated operations for the intelligence activities of the
command. Among the items covered by the intelligence an-
nex are information of the enemy situation; a list of enemy
17
18-19
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
objectives (with corresponding objective folder numbers)
against which operations are contemplated with a statement
as to the system of objectives of which these are a part and
the importance of this system to the enemy; essential ele-
ments of information; detailed instructions to collecting
agencies of subordinate units and detailed requests to military
collecting agencies other than those under unit control; list
of maps that will be supplied to subordinate units; counter-
intelligence measures to be enforced; methods of examining
personnel who may be in possession of enemy information,
enemy documents, and materiel; instructions on numbers,
kinds, and time periods of intelligence reports to be main-
tained and distributed, etc.
(3) The intelligence officer will prepare and the air com-
mander will issue an intelligence annex normally at the be-
ginning of a campaign or during the first phase of air opera-
tions. Thereafter, changes are published from time to time
until conditions change to such an extent that the publishing
of a new annex becomes necessary.
(4) A form for an intelligence annex is shown as form D,
appendix I.
b. If no annex is to be issued, all missions to be assigned
simultaneously to any one agency should be grouped into an
intelligence order to that agency. These orders may be
amplified by the use of maps, sketches, or overlays indicating
areas or localities to be reconnoitered and the information
desired. No form is prescribed for such orders, and when
the situation warrants, may be transmitted by the fastest
available means, written or oral.
H 19. Information Not Restricted to That Prescribed. —
While collecting agencies will concentrate their active search
for information on such items as are required in orders and
which bear directly upon the designated essential elements
of information and upon such additional information as they
need in order to carry out their own tactical mission, they
will transmit also such other information as they may happen
to obtain, regardless of whether or not its importance is
apparent.
18
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
20
■ 20. Method of Reporting Information. — a . Collecting
agencies will transmit in message form to the intelligence
officer all items of information immediately upon obtaining
it, except in cases where it is evident to the agency that the
information is of a static nature and can be held for inclusion
in a periodic intelligence report.
b. All items of information obtained by an air unit while
engaged upon either an air reconnaissance mission or an air
combat mission will be reported to the intelligence officer
concerned as soon as possible after the return from the mis-
sion, whether or not previous reports of some items were made
by radio, dropped message, or other means. These reports
will be either in the form of an airplane commander's report
or a flight commander's report depending upon whether one
or more airplanes participated in the mission.
(1) The airplane commander’s report is a written report
accomplished by the airplane commander upon completion
of a reconnaissance mission. The form for this report will
vary according to the type of reconnaissance mission per-
formed and the type of aircraft used, but it should always
include a description of the route flown or area covered and
a brief chronological account of observations made and items
of information secured. Inclusion of an overlay to the flight
map used with the route followed and observations graphi-
cally represented thereon will make for clarity and brevity.
A form for an airplane commander's report is shown in
form E, appendix I.
(2) The flight commander’s report is a written report ac-
complished by the flight commander of combat units upon
completion of a mission. It will be submitted in lieu of in-
dividual airplane commander's reports, but will be made up
of the combined observations and results of actions of the
personnel of all airplanes participating in the mission. When
more than one squadron participates, a flight commander's
report will be required from each squadron. The form for
this report will vary with the type of aviation and the type
of mission performed, but will always include a description
of the route flown or area covered and a brief chronological
account of observations made and items of information se-
19
20-23
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
cured. An overlay to the flight map used with information
graphically portrayed thereon may be used, if applicable.
A form for a flight commander's report is shown as form F,
appendix I.
Section III
RECORDING AND CLASSIFYING INFORMATION
■ 21. Purpose. — As information is received, it will be recorded
so that it will not be overlooked when needed. As each item of
information must be considered together with other items
bearing on the same subject, information will be classified
and segregated for convenience of comparison and study.
■ 22. Intelligence Records. — The intelligence sections of air
units will maintain a permanent record of all items of incom-
ing information as well as of all intelligence orders, reports,
summaries, etc., issuing from the section. The number and
type of these records and files will vary with the size air unit
to which the intelligence section belongs.
■ 23. Method of Recording. — a. In the recording of informa-
tion, the intelligence officer must adapt procedure to the
needs of his unit. Simplification of method will be especially
necessary in the smaller units. When the situation is moving
rapidly the maintenance of records becomes of secondary
importance and the intelligence officer should concentrate
upon his primary mission of assembling and interpreting in-
formation and disseminating military intelligence.
b. In conformity with the purpose as set forth in paragraph
21, each item of information will be recorded in one or more
ways: in the intelligence journal, intelligence work sheet,
or upon the intelligence situation map; sometimes a single
item will be recorded in all three. By these means, a system-
atic running account is kept of all information received by
the intelligence officer and he is enabled conveniently to
classify and segregate the information and later to evaluate
and interpret it and prepare it for dissemination as military
intelligence. The journal, work sheet, and situation map are
necessary in the preparation of intelligence reports and also
serve as a convenient means of reference for the air com-
mander and his staff.
20
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 24-25
■ 24. Intelligence Journal. — The intelligence journal is a
chronological record of the activities of the intelligence sec-
tion. It is kept by the intelligence sections of wings or equiva-
lent task forces and higher air commands. In groups and
squadrons, the intelligence journal is normally combined with
those of other staff sections into a unit journal.
a. The intelligence journal contains briefs of important
written and oral messages received and sent, as well as nota-
tions of periodic reports, orders, and similar matters that
pertain directly to the military intelligence section. If the
item is received or issued in oral form, the entry in the journal
is detailed; but if it is in documentary form, the entry may
consist of a reference and a brief synopsis of the contents.
b. The journal is kept as a permanent record and should
be looked upon as the main and primary record of the opera-
tions of the intelligence section of the staff. For this reason,
entries in the journal are made immediately upon receipt of
report of the event. The original entry should not be altered
but may be supplemented by subsequent entries.
c. The journal is either closed daily or at the end of a phase
or period. One copy of it is turned over to the chief of staff
for consolidation with the other journals of the headquarters.
The journal is supported by a file of original orders, reports,
special reports, studies, and maps pertinent to the operations
of the military intelligence section.
d. A form for the journal is given in FM 101-5.
■ 25. Intelligence Work Sheet. — a. The purpose of the work
sheet is to facilitate the systematic arrangement of informa-
tion coming into the intelligence office so that all items bear-
ing on a particular subject will be grouped together for ready
reference and comparison. In this respect, the work sheet
differs from the intelligence journal in which the information
is entered chronologically. A secondary purpose of the work
sheet is to facilitate preparation of the periodic intelligence
report. For this reason, the intelligence work sheet has the
same paragraphing as the periodic intelligence report, suit-
able space being left under each heading for entry of pertinent
information.
b. The work sheet is merely a convenient memorandum
pad for the intelligence officer and is not a permanent docu-
255114° — 40 4 21
25-26
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
ment. It should always be maintained up to date, obsolete
items being either lined out or withdrawn.
c. The work sheet is kept by the intelligence sections of
wings or equivalent task forces and higher air commands.
d. No form is prescribed for the intelligence work sheet.
A separate manila folder may be used for each paragraph
heading, being numbered and titled to correspond to the
numbers and titles of paragraphs of the periodic intelligence
report. Items of information are extracted from incoming
messages and reports from collecting agencies and placed in
the proper folder under the paragraph heading to which they
pertain, for subsequent study, evaluation, and interpretation.
S3 26. Intelligence Situation Map. — a. The intelligence situ-
ation map is maintained by the intelligence officer of all air
combat units. All enemy information which can be graphi-
cally portrayed is entered thereon. The intelligence situation
map is subjected to a continual process of revision and is kept
constantly up to date by the intelligence officer.
b. The best map available is used for the purpose. Its
scale should be the same scale as that used by the airplane
combat crews in the accomplishment of their missions. In
case some incoming items of information refer to maps other
than the one in use as a situation map, it is a function of the
intelligence officer to have available copies of all maps issued
by subordinate units and to transfer the information re-
ferring to other maps to the corresponding location on the
situation map.
c. Depending upon the size and type of unit, the following
information in such detail as may be necessary will be shown
using conventional signs or symbols as far as practicable:
(1) Major elements of our own ground and naval surface
forces.
(2) Major elements of the enemy ground and naval surface
forces.
(3) The general line indicating the division between terri-
tory under enemy control and that under our control.
(4) Location of airdromes of the unit concerned and of
higher, lower, neighboring, and cooperating units.
22
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDTJKE IN AVIATION UNITS 26-27
(5) Location of enemy airdromes and identification as to
size and type unit operating therefrom.
(6) Location of enemy balloon barrages.
(7) Location and range circles of enemy antiaircraft artil-
lery battery positions.
(8) Area or zone covered by enemy aircraft warning net
and/or hostile pursuit patrols.
(9) Area or zone covered by our aircraft warning net.
(10) Enemy lines of communication, road and rail; com-
mand posts, logistical establishments, and concentration
areas.
(11) Objectives for air attack for which objective folders
have been received or initiated, identified by their objective
folder number.
(12) Other enemy installations selected as suitable objec-
tives for 1 air attack and explained in a legend attached to
the map.
(13) Any other information of the enemy capable of being
shown on the map.
E8 27, Intelligence Piles. — a . Copies of messages, etc., sent
and received are retained and after necessary processing
are filed, as they support entries in the intelligence journal,
intelligence work sheet, intelligence situation map, and intel-
ligence reports.
b. A suitably indexed file is kept of all information that
may be of future value. For example, much information will
be collected which is of no immediate interest but which may
become invaluable in case the situation changes. This will
cover such subjects as hostile dispositions; location of main
roads, railways, and bridges within hostile lines; location and
contents of supply establishments; location of hostile reserves;
and many other items. If published in periodic reports as
it comes in, it will be disregarded and forgotten by most of
the recipients and will not be available when needed. A
preferable way is to place it in a file where it will be available
for immediate check against new information. When an
operation is planned in which the information will be needed,
the intelligence officer will issue a situation map and a study
or special report embodying all the available information such
23
27-29 AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
as data on vital points within objectives, movements, supply
establishments, antiaircraft artillery locations, and progress
of enemy repairs to installations already subjected to air
attack.
Section IV
EVALUATION AND INTERPRETATION OF
INFORMATION
■ 28. Purpose. — a. Items of information which have been
recorded and classified will be subjected to a critical and
systematic analysis in order to convert them into military
intelligence. This analysis will include evaluation of the
information as to the credibility, accuracy, and importance
of the items; interpretation as to its military significance,
and tactical or strategical conclusions determined from its
significance.
b. Military intelligence must be concise, free from irrele-
vant matter, and ready for immediate use; at the same time,
it must be so complete as to convey not only the facts but
also their significance and the deductions to be drawn from
a consideration of the facts in connection with other military
intelligence already at hand.
■ 29, Evaluation. — Evaluation is the determination of the
probable value of information. The intelligence officer will
consider the following factors in evaluating information:
a. The credibility of the source or agency reporting infor-
mation must be determined. The following are some of the
important points to receive attention:
(1) Judging from previous experience, is the source of
information accurate and reliable?
(2) Under conditions existing at the time, that is, distance,
means employed, visibility, etc., could the information have
been obtained?
b. The accuracy of information , the credibility of which
has been accepted, must be determined. This is facilitated
by a consideration of the following points:
(1) Is it confirmed or corroborated by other information
previously received?
24
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 29-30
(2) In what respect does it agree or disagree with available
information covering the same point, particularly that known
to be correct?
(3) If it is at variance with information previously re-
ceived, which is more likely to be correct?
c. The importance of information , the credibility and accu-
racy of which are known, must be determined. This involves
consideration of the following points:
(1) Is it information of the enemy situation, or of the
enemy forces or installations, or of weather conditions?
(2) Is it new information or confirmation of previous
information?
(3) Is it information needed immediately or information
of probable future value?
(4) Is it information needed by this unit and/or higher,
subordinate, neighboring, or cooperating units?
■ 30. Interpretation. — Interpretation is the determination
of the probable significance of evaluated information together
with the tactical and strategical conclusions arrived at from
a consideration of its significance.
a. The intelligence officer will consider the following factors
in determining the significance of information:
<1) What does it mean in connection with what is already
known?
(2) Does it alter or add significance to information previ-
ously received?
(3) Does it tend to confirm the estimate as to the enemy
situation: or does it alter the estimate, and if so, in what
particular?
b. Up to this point in the intelligence officer’s analysis, his
reasoning and deductions have been concerned only with the
facts of the enemy situation. The whole process has been
an effort to establish accurately the facts. It is now neces-
sary that he assemble the several established facts and,
considering them as a whole, draw logical conclusions from
them as to their effect upon the essential elements of infor-
mation as initially indicated. Based upon the above conclu-
sions, the intelligence officer will then be enabled to make
final conclusions as to the enemy capabilities; that is, actions
25
30-32
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
of which the enemy is physically capable that might affect
the accomplishment of our mission. Likewise the complete-
ness of objective folders or information necessary to attack
the objectives called for in the mission may be determined at
this point.
® 31. Answers to Essential Elements of Information. —
a. Essential elements of information based on enemy capa-
bilities may be answered only after careful check of evaluated
information against all possible lines of action open to the
enemy. The intelligence officer endeavors to verify or dis-
prove each hypothesis relative to possible lines of action open
to the enemy. To do this, he obtains all the facts possible
concerning the enemy situation; that is, facts bearing on
each hypothesis. Then, in the light of these ascertained
facts, he considers whether the enemy is still capable of acting
in accordance with a certain hypothesis. By eliminating as
many of these hypotheses as possible, he narrows down the
lines of action which were originally open to the enemy to
those which are still open to him.
b. Essential elements relating either to the gathering of
additional information on specific objectives, that is, the com-
pletion of objective folders or to weather conditions, can be
answered as soon as sufficient credible information is received
upon which to base conclusions.
M 32. Conclusions. — The study of all available information
should enable the intelligence officer to determine —
a. Enemy capabilities or lines of action open to the enemy
that would have a bearing on the accomplishment of the
commander’s mission and draw conclusions in certain cases as
to the relative probability of adoption of the lines of action
open to the enemy. The conclusions of the intelligence of-
ficer should permit the commander to plan his operation, tak-
ing into account the lines of action open to the enemy, par-
ticularly the one given as first priority if a priority has been
designated. Additional information acquired during the
progress of operations should enable the intelligence officer
progressively to narrow down the lines of action open to the
enemy.
b. Importance to the enemy of newly discovered objectives
for air attack and their relation to the system of objectives
26
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 32-35
called for In the mission or to any other system of ob-
jectives, and draw conclusions as to their probable priority.
c. Readiness for attack of objectives already assigned for
which additional descriptive and weather data were needed
and have now been received, and draw conclusions as to when
weather and other conditions will be most favorable for
their attack.
Section V
DISSEMINATION OF INTELLIGENCE
■ 33. General. — Military intelligence to be of value must be
placed in the hands of individuals or units concerned in time
to serve their purpose. It is therefore of the greatest im-
portance that intelligence be properly and quickly dissemi-
nated in accordance with its urgency.
■ 34. Classification. — In preparing military intelligence for
dissemination, it is first classified under the following head-
ings:
a. That which should be placed without delay in the hands
of the commander, other sections of the staff, or higher,
lower, or adjacent units.
b. That which can wait to be included in periodic or other
contemplated future reports or summaries.
H 35. Methods. — a. Personal contact. — It is frequently pos-
sible for the intelligence officer or his assistant to transmit,
either in person or by telephone, items of intelligence of im-
mediate value.
b. Special messages. — When it is impossible for the intel-
ligence officer to transmit important items of intelligence
either in person or by telephone, special messages may be
transmitted by telegraph printer, radio, tone telegraph, air-
plane, or whatever other means of rapid communication may
be available.
c. Conferences . — The exchange of intelligence between the
various intelligence sections of higher, lower, neighboring,
and cooperating units is facilitated by frequent personal con-
ferences between intelligence personnel concerned. In no
other way can a community of interest and adjustment of
viewpoint be so quickly and effectively realized.
27
35-37
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
d . Intelligence situation map. — The intelligence situation
map for each unit (par. 26) will be maintained in a con-
spicuous place, and all personnel concerned with the tactical
performance of air missions will be required to keep them-
selves familiar with the enemy situation as portrayed thereon.
Since the intelligence officer is continually posting the latest
intelligence on the situation map, it constitutes an important
and automatic method of dissemination.
e. Intelligence documents and reports. — Documents and
reports utilized for the dissemination of intelligence are —
(1) Intelligence estimates of the situation (par. 36).
(2) Periodic intelligence reports (par. 37).
(3) Special intelligence reports and studies (par. 38) .
(4) Intelligence summaries (par. 39).
(5) Objective folders (par. 40).
(6) Field orders and intelligence annexes thereto (par. 41) .
M 36. Intelligence Estimate of the Situation. — An intelli-
gence estimate of the situation will be furnished the com-
mander by the intelligence officer, either upon his own initia-
tive when warranted by the developments in the situation
or when required by the commander. The estimate may be
written or oral. It will summarize the enemy situation and
possible plans. Usually the intelligence officer will be able
to anticipate the necessity for such an estimate; however, he
must be prepared at all times to furnish an estimate to his
commander. A form for an intelligence estimate of the situa-
tion for air combat units is shown as form B, appendix I.
■ 37. Periodic Intelligence Report. — The periodic intelli-
gence report is an intelligence document that presents the
intelligence produced during a given time period. It is issued
by all higher air units to include the wing, or equivalent task
force. The period of time to be covered by this report is
prescribed by higher headquarters or by the unit commander
in the absence of such instructions. It is distributed to
higher, lower, neighboring, and cooperating units and is a
convenient means for keeping these units informed of the
enemy situation as determined by the unit preparing the
report. It frequently contains important intelligence which
has already been disseminated by means of special messages
28
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 37-39
and in this way serves as confirmation thereof. An overlay
of the intelligence situation map as of the close of the period
is normally included as an annex to this report. A form for
the periodic intelligence report for air combat units adapted
to telegraph printer transmission is shown as form G,
appendix I.
■ 38. Special Intelligence Reports and Studies. — An air
commander often will require a special report or a detailed
study on some subject affecting the enemy. These may vary
from a few words delivered verbally to an elaborate study
supported by maps, charts, and photographs. Intelligence
officers should be prepared to conduct studies and to submit
special reports on such subjects as the following:
a. Enemy air situation, including location of air bases;
airdromes occupied and unoccupied and changes therein;
type, amount, and characteristics of equipment; tactics; and
antiaircraft defenses, air and ground, passive and active.
b. Enemy air force capabilities and their probable effect
upon us.
c. Probable reaction of the enemy to our contemplated air
operations against him.
d. Areas, forces, or installations which should be photo-
graphed, reconnoitered, or kept under surveillance.
e. Location, description, and importance of new potential
objectives for air attack.
/. Aircraft warning service of the enemy; its extent and
effectiveness; methods of avoiding it wholly or in part,* and
efficiency of its pursuit support.
■ 39. Intelligence Summary. — A brief report summarizing the
enemy situation as known at the moment of reporting and
as it affects our contemplated air operations is called an in-
telligence summary. The intelligence officer should be pre-
pared to give orally such a summary to the air commander
at any time on call, or when changes in the enemy situation
dictate. It is intended that it will be the briefest possible
statement of facts indicating the latest developments in the
enemy situation and substantially less extensive as to volume
and detail than an intelligence estimate of the situation. It
is particularly adapted to telegraph printer transmission due
to its brevity. It will be used normally only from higher
255114 ° — 40—5 29
39-40 AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
to lower units as a means of keeping the subordinate units
advised of the developments in the situation in cases where
these units are connected by a telegraph printer circuit to
the headquarters making the report, and in lieu of issuing
special intelligence messages to each subordinate commander.
Intelligence summaries will be numbered chronologically be-
ginning with No. 1 at the start of each 24-hour period. While
no form is prescribed, an example of an intelligence summary
is shown as form H, appendix I.
B 40. Objective Folder. — a. As transmitted to a subordinate
unit for use in planning and executing an air operation, an
objective folder constitutes the principal means of dissemi-
nating intelligence of a particular locality which might be
selected as the objective of an air attack. It contains all avail-
able information on that particular place and the informa-
tion is classified by subject to include the vital elements most
likely to be selected as targets.
b. Changes in or additions to objective folders already dis-
tributed normally will be covered in special intelligence
messages and confirmed in the next periodic report.
c. When completed, an objective folder should include the
following items or as many of them as are needed to supply
the necessary intelligence for attack of the various vital ele-
ments of the place concerned:
(1) A reference for filing. Objective folders are normally
filed alphabetically by place, the name of the country first
and the name of the place or town within the country second;
for example, Puerto Rico — San Juan.
(2) A general description of the place concerned, includ-
ing such elements as population, location, climate, food sup-
ply, water supply, rail connections with other places, highway
connections with other places, signal communications with
other places, medical facilities and health conditions, avail-
ability of labor, building materials and construction machin-
ery, suitability of terrain for airport construction, local fortifi-
cations, and military garrisons.
(3) Vital features, separated and classified by subject, to
include such of the following as may be pertinent to the par-
ticular place concerned:
(a) Electric power plants.
30
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN' AVIATION UNITS 40
(b) Aircraft factories.
(c) Local refineries and oil storage facilities.
(d) Steel plants.
(e) Coal yards.
(/) Airports and air bases; transportation thereto, and
facilities and stores at airport.
( Q ) Munitions factories and their sources of power.
(h) Rail transportation system; yards, stations, bridges.
(i) Highway transportation system; bridges and defiles.
(?) Canal transportation system and locks.
(Jc) Harbor facilities, docks, waterfront warehouses, un-
loading facilities, etc.
( l ) Naval bases.
(m) Military stores.
( n ) Harbor defenses.
(o) Water supply system.
(p) Other systems, by subject.
(4) For each objective folder, the following is desired:
(a) A map showing the objective together with adjacent
terrain within approximately a 15 -mile radius of the objec-
tive in order to permit the subsequent determination of an
initial point, best approaches to the objective, and a rally
point. This map should be of sufficiently large scale to per-
mit selection of landmarks as well as the above data. A
scale of 1 inch=l mile, or larger, is considered adequate.
(b) An objective overlay to (a) above, whereon are shown
the limits of the objective, important landmarks, and other
items for the purpose of accentuating the objective and cer-
tain terrain features to permit the proper interpretation of the
unmarked map of the area called for in (a) above.
(c) An antiaircraft defense overlay to (a) above, showing
the location and range circles of fixed antiaircraft artillery
installations not only at the objective but within the 15-mile
radius therefrom. Aircraft warning nets and pursuit air-
dromes should be indicated thereon.
( d ) An aerial photographic mosaic of the objective (or a
sketch or plan drawing) to a large scale, whereon are shown
the vital points within the objective. A scale of 1 to 20,000
or larger is considered adequate.
31
40-42
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
( e ) A target overlay to ( d ) above, whereon are shown the
outlines of the several vital points within the objective and
whereon these are indicated as separate targets, given num-
bered or lettered identification, and described by appropriate
legend.
(/) Drawings, aerial oblique photographs, picture post
cards, and commercial or amateur photographs that may be
available of the targets, properly identified to correspond to
the target designations made in ( e ) above.
(g) A target and weapon analysis, which is a written an-
alysis of each target (identified as in (e) above) explaining
the nature, over-all dimensions, type construction, and num-
bers and type (weight) bombs and fuzes to be employed
against each to accomplish destruction.
d. An example of an objective folder is shown as form A,
appendix I.
■ 41. Field Orders and Intelligence Annexes. — a. A brief
summary of intelligence is disseminated by inclusion of in-
telligence items as “information of the enemy” in paragraph
la of a field order or in paragraph la of an intelligence
annex to a field order (par. 18a). When the amount of
enemy information is limited or can be briefly stated, this
method for the dissemination of intelligence to lower units
is used. It should be noted that the dissemination of intel-
ligence is not a primary purpose of either a field order or an
intelligence annex thereto; it is included only to show the
existing enemy situation as a setting for the tactical mis-
sions ordered in the field order and for the intelligence
missions ordered in the intelligence annex.
b. A form for the intelligence annex to a field order for air
combat units is shown as form D, appendix I.
Section VI
APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE TO
TACTICAL ORGANIZATIONS OF GHQ AVIATION
■ 42, Purpose. — It is the purpose of this section to indicate
the specific application of general intelligence procedure to
the various types of tactical organizations included in GHQ
aviation. The general scope of intelligence activities and
32
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 42-44
basic instructions regarding procedure, methods, and docu-
ments are covered in the preceding sections.
B 43. Transmission of Information. — a. To higher headquar-
ters . — (1) Squadrons. — Information collected by operating
squadrons should invariably be transmitted to higher head-
quarters as expeditiously as possible. When squadrons are on
the same airdrome with or reasonably convenient to the wing
or equivalent task force headquarters, flight or airplane com-
mander’s reports will be delivered by messenger. When squad-
rons are on widely scattered airdromes, it usually will be neces-
sary for each squadron to send to higher headquarters by
telegraph printer a summary of the information collected on
each mission forwarding to higher headquarters the flight or
airplane commander’s reports by routine messenger (air or
ground) .
(2) Group headquarters . — Group headquarters normally
will not be concerned with the unprocessed information col-
lected by its squadrons, except in disseminating within the
group critical items of enemy information and in checking
flight commander’s report to determine the manner in which
squadrons are performing their intelligence functions, one
copy being retained for that purpose; the normal method
transmitting to higher headquarters intelligence produced by
wing or equivalent task forces is by the periodic intelligence
report.
b. From higher to lower headquarters. — The means that
may be employed in the dissemination of information to
lower echelons are those indicated in paragraph 35.
c. Within the organization. — Each unit intelligence officer
is responsible for keeping the personnel within the organi-
zation informed of the enemy situation. This may be accom-
plished by means of oral summaries, situation maps, and
bulletin board information.
fl 44. Examination and Disposition of Captured Aviators,
Documents, and Materiel. — a. The procedure to be followed
in the examination of enemy personnel, documents, and
materiel is covered in detail in FM 30-15 (now printed as
pt. three, BFM, Vol. X). Examinations normally will be
conducted by wing or equivalent task force headquarters.
33
44-47
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL „
Specific instructions for the guidance of groups and squad-
rons reference examinations and disposition will be an-
nounced in the intelligence annex of the wing, or equivalent
task force.
b. Any aviation unit that captures enemy aviation per-
sonnel will make every effort to prevent such personnel from
destroying their own aircraft, equipment, or maps, orders,
and other documents. The unit making the capture will at
once post a guard over the enemy aircraft and equipment,
collect all documents, and deliver the prisoners and docu-
ments to their unit intelligence officer who will examine and
dispose of them in accordance with intelligence instructions.
c. The Chief of the Air Corps is charged with preparation
for issue to the proper agencies lists of suggested questions
for the guidance of intelligence personnel in the study of
hostile aviation.
d. Every enemy airplane that falls or lands on territory
within Army control will be inspected by an intelligence
officer of the Air Corps. If it is found that the airplane or
any part thereof or armament or equipment therefor pos-
sesses new characteristics, it will be sent to a previously
designated point in the communication zone or zone of the
interior for further study.
S 45. Wing Headquarters, and Equivalent Task Forces. —
The intelligence sections of wings and equivalent task forces
must be prepared to perform all combat intelligence functions
outlined in paragraphs 9 and 13. When a superior air force
headquarters is operating in the same theater, certain of
these functions may be performed partially or in their en-
tirety by the higher headquarters.
B 46. Air Base Headquarters. — Air base squadrons have no
combat functions except those of self-defense. Combat intel-
ligence necessary for defensive planning will be furnished to
bases by superior and subordinate echelons and by such air-
craft warning services as may be installed.
■ 47. Bombardment and Pursuit Group Headquarters. — The
group intelligence office is primarily an intelligence message
center; if care is not taken, it will become a bottleneck in the
two-way traffic between higher and lower echelons. Every ef-
34
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
47
fort should be made to speed up this traffic; it should not be
stopped or delayed. Information from squadrons will be
forwarded immediately to wing or equivalent task force head-
quarters and not held for partial evaluation and interpreta-
tion from the limited viewpoint of the group; intelligence
from higher headquarters should be passed on to squadrons
as soon as received and not held for consolidation into a
periodic summary. It will be normal for wings and higher
air force headquarters in a given theater of operations to
disseminate periodic intelligence reports over all telegraph
printer circuits within the command; hence periodic reports
by groups are not ordinarily required.
a. Duties of group intelligence officer with respect to com-
bat intelligence . — The principal task of the group intelligence
officer is to keep himself intimately informed of enemy capa-
bilities and activities which may affect the accomplishment
of group missions. By so doing he is in a position to render
valuable assistance in the formulation of plans of operations.
Specifically, he should —
(1) Prepare the intelligence paragraph of field orders or
the intelligence annex thereto.
(2) Disseminate to squadrons all pertinent intelligence not
directly disseminated by the wing.
(3) Give timely notice to squadron intelligence officers con-
cerning enemy activities specified by the wing, for which
flying personnel are to be especially watchful on each mis-
sion.
(4) Give personal attention to all messages having to do
with intelligence received from squadron headquarters or
from units in the air to insure prompt and appropriate action.
(5) Forward all flight commander’s reports promptly to
higher headquarters.
(6) Keep posted on enemy situation; be prepared at all
times to give the commander a brief oral summary, together
with statement of such enemy capabilities as may affect his
unit, in the form of an intelligence estimate of the situation.
b. Documents and records to be kept by group intelligence
sections . — (1) Situation map.
(2) Intelligence file containing —
(a) Daily file of messages received and sent.
35
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AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
(b) Intelligence from higher headquarters.
(c) Carbon copies of flight commander’s reports.
(d) Objective folders when furnished from higher head-
quarters.
■ 48. Bombardment and Pursuit Squadrons. — The observa-
tions and experiences of flying personnel of these units con-
stitute a valuable source of information, such as identification
of enemy air units; location of enemy antiaircraft batteries;
types, characteristics, and performance of enemy aircraft and
antiaircraft equipment; tactics and habits of enemy air and
antiaircraft units; vulnerability of enemy equipment and
works to various methods and means of air attack; and enemy
reactions to various methods and means of attack. In addi-
tion, valuable information regarding the enemy ground or
naval situation may be obtained by training the flying per-
sonnel to be on the alert for such information. The combat
intelligence indicated above will be reported in the flight
commander’s report. Immediately upon return from a tac-
tical mission, the flight commander of the squadron or por-
tion thereof involved in the mission will assemble the air-
plane commanders of his flight and obtain from them verbally
the data required for the flight commander’s report, which
he will fill out in note form at that moment. This report will
be made up and forwarded with least practicable delay in
duplicate to the group commander, a triplicate copy being
retained in the squadron files. The group commander will
retain one copy for use by his staff, in particular his intelli-
gence officer, and immediately forward the other copy, with-
out changes or additions thereto, to the wing commander,
where the information it contains will be processed by the
wing staff, in particular its intelligence officer. Important
extracts of these reports will be transmitted by the fastest
means available in the interest of expediting receipt of infor-
mation by the wing. Squadron intelligence officers, by close
personal contact, helpful suggestions, and indoctrination, can
do much to increase both the quantity and quality of infor-
mation furnished to higher headquarters.
a. Duties of squadron intelligence officer vnth respect to
combat intelligence. — (1) Bring to the attention of flying per-
sonnel all pertinent information received of the enemy.
36
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 48-49
(2) Before each mission see that flying personnel are in-
formed of particular enemy information desired by higher
headquarters; that is, essential elements of information.
(3) Give personal attention to the prompt delivery of flight
commander’s report to the designated headquarters and to
the transmission by alternate means of such extracts thereof
as are deemed necessary.
(4) Keep posted on enemy situation; and be prepared at
all times to give the commander a brief oral summary, to-
gether with statement of such enemy capabilities as may affect
his unit, in the form of an intelligence estimate of the situation.
b . Documents and records to be kept. — (1) Situation map.
(2) Intelligence file containing —
(a) Daily file of messages received and sent.
(b) Intelligence from higher headquarters.
(c) Carbon copies of flight commander’s reports.
id) Objective folders when furnished by headquarters.
■ 49. Reconnaissance Squadrons. — a. Training of air person-
nel — While the normal training and operations of reconnais-
sance units serve to give practical experience to all flying
personnel in the collection of information of an obvious
nature, such as the presence and activity of forces or exist-
ence of objectives in a given area, special training is required
in order to produce an efficient collecting agency. In the spe-
cialized training of air reconnaissance personnel, emphasis
should be placed on accuracy and thoroughness of reconnais-
sance, that is, systematic and objective procedure in carrying
out the search for required information; alertness to all
movements and activities not related to the primary mission
but which may be of significance to the high command; and
accurate and precise recording and transmission of the infor-
mation gathered, by proper messages while in flight, and by
the airplane commander’s report.
b. Training of ground personnel— Considerable specialized
training of ground personnel is required to develop methods
and means of getting the complete picture of the information
collected to the proper evaluating and using agency in the
minimum of time. This involves the coordinated teamwork
of intelligence personnel, photographic and communication
specialists, and others. When information is forwarded to
37
49
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
higher headquarters it should be properly marked with suffi-
cient data to enable ready identification of photographs, over-
lays, or sketches, and accurate reference to the narrative
reports to which they pertain; this does not mean, however,
that the collecting agency should attempt any further evalua-
tion or interpretation of the information so identified. Evalu-
ation and interpretation are functions of wing or higher
headquarters, which may and frequently will, call upon recon-
naissance personnel for opinions and conclusions regarding
doubtful cases.
c. Duties of intelligence officer with respect to combat in-
telligence. — (1) Bring to the attention of flying personnel all
pertinent information received of the enemy (situation map ;
bulletin board; personal contacts).
(2) Personally contact reconnaissance teams prior to
take-off, to see that nature of information desired is clearly
understood.
(3) Give personal attention to information messages re-
ceived from teams in air to insure prompt action is taken
relative thereto.
(4) Personally interview members of the combat team
upon landing, to insure completeness of information sub-
mitted in the airplane commander’s report.
(5) Give personal attention to prompt delivery of airplane
commander’s reports to higher headquarters, and if feasible,
to the transmission by telegraph printer of important ex-
tracts thereof to higher headquarters.
(6) Keep posted on enemy situation, and be prepared at
all times to give his commander a brief oral summary, to-
gether with statement of such enemy capabilities as may
affect his unit, in the form of an intelligence estimate of the
situation.
(7) Insure that all personnel are familiar with appropriate
parts of PM 30-25.
d. Documents and records to be kept . — (1) Situation map.
(2) Intelligence file containing —
(a) Daily file of messages received and sent.
(b) Intelligence from higher headquarters.
(c) Carbon copies of airplane commander’s reports.
id) Objective folders.
38
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
50
H 50. Summary. — The chart below summarizes graphically
the items of intelligence procedure and intelligence docu-
ments (written or oral) initiated by each type of tactical unit
of GHQ aviation.
Recon-
naissance
squadron
Bom-
bard-
ment
or pur-
suit
squadron
Bom-
bard-
ment
or pur-
suit
group
Wing or
equiva-
lent task
force
Higher
air com-
mands
Essential elements of informa-
tion.
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence plan for collection
of information.
Yes
Yes.
Fragmentary intelligence
orders
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence annex -
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence paragraph to field
order.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Airplane commander’s report..
Yes
Flight commander’s report
Yes
Intelligence journal
Yes ...
Yes.
Intelligence work sheet .
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence situation map. _ . .
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Personal contact
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Special messages.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
39
50
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
Recon-
naissance
squadron
Bom-
bard-
ment
or pur-
suit
squadron
Bom-
bard-
ment
or pur-
suit
group
Wing or
equiva-
lent task
force
Higher
air com-
mands
Yes...
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence estimate of the
situation.
Yes
: Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Periodic intelligence reports
Yes
Yes.
Special intelligence reports
and studies.
Yes
Yes.
Intelligence summaries
Yes
Yes.
Objective folders
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes.
40
51-53
CHAPTER 3
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE WITH RECONNAISSANCE
(ARMY, CORPS, AND DIVISION) AND OBSERVATION
AND LIAISON AVIATION
Paragraphs
Section I. General 51-53
II. Collection of information 54-57
III. Procedure in reporting information 58-60
IV. Dissemination of intelligence 61-63
Section I
GENERAL
■ 51. Purpose. — The purpose of this section is to outline the
general intelligence requirements for reconnaissance (army,
corps, and division) and observation and liaison aviation
units, and to indicate the intelligence procedure within this
class of aviation.
■ 52. General Intelligence Requirements. — a. The general
intelligence requirements within units of reconnaissance
(army, corps, and division) and observation and liaison avia-
tion have a definite relation to the characteristics and method
of employment of this class of aviation.
b. The most important characteristic of this class of avia-
tion is that it is especially designed for the performance of a
service of information for the ground forces to which it is
assigned or attached. From the viewpoint of intelligence,
units of this classification are primarily information collecting
agencies. Their intelligence activities are limited in general
to meeting the intelligence requirements of the ground forces
with which they operate. (See FM 30-5.)
■ 53. Normal Sequence of Procedure. — The intelligence
functions performed by an army, corps, or division reconnais-
sance unit or by an observation and liaison unit follow a
routine sequence. A sequence of intelligence procedure for
any specific tactical operation may be as follows:
Note.— In the following outline, actions performed by the recon-
naissance or observation unit are shown in italics, whereas cor-
41
53
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
responding actions of the commander of the ground forces, his
staff, or by the ground force units are in plain type.
a. When a ground force commander of an army, corps, or
division (hereafter referred to as the ground force com-
mander) receives a mission for the employment of his ground
unit, his G-2 will assist him in planning the operation by
presenting to him an intelligence estimate of the situation,
recommending essential elements of information, drawing up
an intelligence plan for the collection of information, and
issuing fragmentary intelligence orders to the several collect-
ing agencies, later confirming these by issuing an intelligence
annex to the ground commander’s field order for the oper-
ation.
b. The commanding officer of the air reconnaissance unit
or air observation and liaison unit organically assigned to
the ground force unit above ( hereafter referred to as the air
reconnaissance commander ) receives from the ground force
G-2 an intelligence order , or the intelligence annex , in which
are included a statement of the essential elements of infor-
mation and the air reconnaissance missions required for col-
lection of information in accordance therewith .
c. Information obtained by the observers is transmitted by
radio or dropped message direct to the command posts of the
ground force commander and/or to command posts of sub-
ordinate ground unit commanders concerned. Such mes-
sages are not transmitted to the headquarters of the air
reconnaissance commander.
d. Immediately upon return of each airplane, the pilot and
observer make out a pilot and observer report of the mission
( form I , app. I). This report is transmitted as soon as
practicable by the air reconnaissance commander to the
command post of the ground force commander . It is proc-
essed by the intelligence section of the latter headquarters.
Exposed rolls of film are delivered at once to the photo-
graphic section of the air reconnaissance unit for develop-
ment. Finished photographs are distributed as prescribed by
FM 30-21.
e. The ground force, G-2, processes the visual and photo-
graphic information thus collected and disseminates the
resulting intelligence to all concerned, including the air
reconnaissance unit.
42
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 53-55
/. The air reconnaissance commander keeps his unit in-
formed of the enemy situation by posting the latest intelli-
gence received from the ground force , G-2 ; on the intelligence
situation map and on the unit bulletin board in the form of
written summaries .
Section II
COIXECTTON OP INFORMATION
0 54. Purpose. — The purpose of this section is to set forth
the character of the information desired by commanders of
ground forces and to indicate the means and methods em-
ployed by reconnaissance (army, corps, and division) and
observation and liaison aviation units to obtain this infor-
mation.
H 55. Character of Information Desired. — a. Information
desired by a commander of ground forces is that specific
information of the enemy and the conditions of the area
of operations, including terrain and weather, needed to make
a decision, conduct a maneuver, or to enable his staff to for-
mulate the details of a plan. To coordinate the activities of
all collecting agencies at his disposal, the ground force com-
mander announces to them these all important items of
information which he specifically desires, in the form of
essential elements of information.
b. In order to determine the type of information required
to answer the essential elements of information and thereby
furnish intelligent and efficient cooperation as a dependable
collecting agency to the ground force commander, it is neces-
sary that the reconnaissance or observation and liaison avia-
tion unit personnel understand the framework upon which
the selection and announcement of essential elements by a
commander of ground forces is based.
c. (DA commander of ground forces will make a com-
mander’s estimate of the situation before making a decision
as to the employment of his forces. As an essential part
of such an estimate, he must obtain data as to the present
combat strength of the enemy with which he must deal; data
as to the strength and time of arrival of possible enemy rein-
forcements; and data as to the enemy capabilities for action
43
55
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
against his force, including the earliest time the enemy can
put each capability into effect, and how time, space, terrain,
weather, and other factors favor or restrict the enemy in the
use of each capability.
(2) Prom the standpoint of a ground force commander, the
enemy capabilities include not only the general lines of action
open to the enemy, such as attack, defense, or withdrawal,
but also all the particular lines of action possible under each
general line of action. For example, under the enemy’s gen-
eral line of action of an attack, the various particular lines of
action possible are an attack today, an attack tomorrow, an
envelopment of our left (right) flank, a piecemeal attack
against our front, and others.
(3) The commander’s initial decision must be supplemented
by other minor decisions as the action progresses. These
decisions must be based upon a narrowing down of the enemy
capabilities previously considered. Intelligence activities will
be so directed as to investigate each capability with a view to
finally determining which of his capabilities the enemy is
actually adopting. This can be accomplished only by obtain-
ing, as the action progresses, information which by degrees
shows that the physical ability of the enemy to adopt one or
more lines of action affecting our mission is diminishing or
increasing, and ultimately, when the enemy has fully com-
mitted himself, that he is adopting the sole capability which
remains. By this time it may have become important to de-
termine which of several minor variants of his remaining
capability the enemy is in process of adopting; or changes in
the situation, such as approach of enemy reinforcements, may
introduce new capabilities. The estimate of enemy capabili-
ties is subject to constant change as the action progresses.
d. Based upon the explanation of the background of rea-
soning involved, the essential elements of information desig-
nated by a ground force commander may include inquiries
with respect to —
(1) Enemy strength; what is the strength, composition,
location, and combat efficiency of the enemy force opposing us?
(2) Enemy reinforcements; whether the enemy is being or
can be reinforced, and if so, when, in what strength and
composition, and from what direction?
44
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 55-56
(3) Each of the enemy capabilities as to action against us;
whether the enemy is putting it into effect or making prepa-
rations which will enable him to do so, and the time, manner,
and place in which he can execute it.
(4) Terrain not under our control but over which the com-
mander plans to maneuver; whether there are any important
natural or artificial obstacles other than those shown on
available maps, if so, their nature and location; and whether
there are any important changes in the terrain which the
enemy or nature can effect during the period of the maneuver.
(5) Items of information desired by other headquarters;
what specific additional information is wanted by higher,
adjacent, and supporting units?
■ 56. Specific Items of Information Which Ground Forces
May Desire. — In general, items of information desired by
ground force commanders which may be obtained by air
reconnaissance, include all or part of those items indicated
under the following headings:
a. Enemy's front line. — Accurate location of the front line
of a hostile force is a difficult matter, particularly in wooded
or broken country. The enemy’s front line is that occupied
by his most advanced elements, beyond which our patrols
generally cannot penetrate and which may include important
detached posts. It may constitute the enemy’s main line of
resistance, the line of resistance of his covering forces, or only
his line of observation. Patrols in advance of his lines do not
constitute a front line. The nature of the line (main line of
resistance, line of resistance of the covering force, line of
observation) is quite as important as its location. In position
defenses the front line will be more easily located than in
mobile operations. Information of changes in the hostile
front line is as important as that of initial locations and
should be promptly reported.
b. Enemy's strength , dispositions , and movements . — (1)
Units in contact. — Includes location, composition, and
strength.
(2) Reserves and other units not in contact. — Includes lo-
cation, composition, strength, and direction and rate of
movement.
45
56-57
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
c. Enemy's supply and equipment. — (1) Information in
regard to the enemy’s supply routes and establishments.
(2) Type, density, and direction of movement, routes used,
and condition of roads are significant of traffic.
d. Enemy's operations . — (1) Infantry and Cavalry. — (a)
Location, strength, composition, disposition, activity, and
direction of movement.
(b) Antiaircraft fire encountered.
(2) Artillery. — (a) Location, amount, type, caliber, and
distribution of artillery in position.
(b) Volume and rate of fire.
(c) Antiaircraft fire encountered.
id) Location, strength, disposition, and direction of ar-
tillery in movement.
(3) Tanks . — (a) Location, strength, type, disposition, ac-
tivity, and. direction and speed of movement.
(b) Supporting troops.
(4) Antiaircraft artillery. — (a) Location, amount, type,
caliber, and distribution of antiaircraft artillery in position.
(b) Volume and rate of fire.
(c) Location, strength, and direction cf movement of anti-
aircraft artillery in movement.
id) Location of searchlights.
(e) Method of employment in cooperation with enemy
fighter aviation.
(5) Fighter aviation. — (a) Strength, method of employ-
ment, areas of operation, and effectiveness.
(b) Location of airdromes.
(6) Reconnaissance and observation aviation. — (a) Types
and number of airplanes observed.
(b) Method of employment.
(c) Indications of airdromes and advance landing fields.
(d) Number and location of balloons observed.
(7) Enemy's organization of the ground. — (a) Intrench-
ing ; time and place, type, degree of completion.
(b) Wire; location, type.
(c) Observation and command posts.
B 57. Means Employed to Obtain Information. — In the exe-
cution of their assigned functions of providing a service of
information for ground forces, reconnaissance, and observa-
46
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 57-59
tion and liaison aviation execute distant, close, and battle
reconnaissance missions, employing both visual and photo-
graphic observation. The tactics and technique of air recon-
naissance and observation are set forth in detail in FM 1-20.
Aerial photography and the role of aerial photography in
military intelligence are set forth in *FM 1-35 and *FM 30-21,
respectively.
Section III
PROCEDURE IN REPORTING INFORMATION
0 58. Purpose. — The purpose of this section is to outline the
procedure in reconnaissance and observation and liaison
squadrons for reporting to the ground force intelligence offi-
cer the information collected as a result of reconnaissance
missions, to include the procedure in the preparation and
transmittal of photographs.
B 59. Results of Visual Reconnaissance.— Items of informa-
tion obtained by the pilot observer team during a reconnais-
sance flight may be included in radio and dropped messages
transmitted during flight and will be included in a pilot and
observer report which is completed and submitted at the
conclusion of the flight.
a. Radio and dropped messages. — (1) These messages are
used by division, corps, and occasionally by army observation
units to report information of an urgent nature direct to
command posts of ground organizations. Radio messages are
invariably sent in code authorized by the plan of signal com-
munication. They are made of record by the observer.
Dropped messages are complete and concise; skeleton phras-
ing is permitted; locations are accurately described by coordi-
nates or filled in on an attached map.
(2) Messages dropped at a corps command post by a divi-
sion airplane will indicate whether or not a similar message
has been dropped at the division.
(3) The retained copies of radio and dropped messages are
delivered to the intelligence officer upon completion of the
mission. They may be attached to the pilot and observer
report described below.
*See appendix II.
47
59-61
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
b. Pilot and observer report. — (1) This is a written report
accomplished by the pilot (s) and observer (s) upon comple-
tion of a reconnaissance mission. The form for the report will
vary according to the type mission performed and according
to the type aircraft used, but it should always include a
description of the route flown or area covered, and a brief
chronological account of observations (visual and photo-
graphic) made and items of information secured. Inclusion
of an overlay to the flight map used with the route followed
and observations graphically represented thereon will make
for clarity and brevity. A form for a pilot and observer re-
port is shown as form I, Appendix I. This form is intended
to serve as a guide only.
(2) Pilot and observer reports will be transmitted to the
ground force G-2 as expeditiously as possible, and not held
until development of photographs taken on the mission is
completed, or for partial evaluation or interpretation in the
squadron initiating the report. A duplicate copy of the report
may be retained in the squadron files.
■ 60. Preparing and Transmitting Photographs. — The results
of photographic reconnaissance are the finished aerial photo-
graphs, with certain reference data marked upon each print.
Definite requirements for aerial photography on a reconnais-
sance mission will be given in specific instructions from the
ground force G-2 to the squadron furnishing the mission.
The data included in the assignment of a photographic mis-
sion are as shown in *FM 1-35.
Section IV
DISSEMINATION OF INTELLIGENCE
■ 61. General. — a. This section outlines the requirements of
units of reconnaissance (army, corps, and division) and ob-
servation and liaison aviation for disseminating military
intelligence.
b. Units of reconnaissance and observation and liaison
aviation, in their role as collecting agencies only for the
ground forces to which they are assigned or attached, are not
responsible for the evaluation and interpretation of informa-
*See appendix EC.
48
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS 61-63
tion and the production of intelligence. The limited view-
point of these units would not permit the production of intel-
ligence of proper scope for use by the ground force commander.
However, they should extract from the mass of information
obtained by them visually and photographically, any positive
items of enemy information which will have a bearing upon
the manner of accomplishment of subsequent reconnaissance
missions and should inform all flying personnel in the unit of
same, as well as adjacent air units either direct or through
the Group Headquarters.
c. In general, the function of dissemination of intelligence
is performed by units of reconnaissance and observation and
liaison aviation by disseminating within their unit the intel-
ligence produced by the ground force intelligence officer and
transmitted by him to the unit. No further dissemination,
such as to adjacent air units, is required or desired, as the
ground force intelligence officer will include these units in a
similar distribution of intelligence.
■ 62. Methods of Dissemination From Ground Force Head-
quarters to Flying Unit. — Officer personnel of reconnais-
sance or observation and liaison units will familiarize them-
selves with intelligence forms used by ground force intelligence
officers for the dissemination of intelligence in order to facili-
tate their prompt understanding of the enemy situation and
capabilities and permit their detailed planning and accom-
plishment of subsequent flying missions in accordance there-
with. Periodic intelligence reports and special intelligence
reports, the latter usually taking the form of an intelligence
estimate of the situation, are the normal means, other than
telephone or special messages, of transmitting intelligence
from ground force headquarters to air reconnaissance unit
headquarters.
SB 63. Methods of Dissemination Within the Unit. — a. Gen-
eral . — Intelligence received from the ground force intelligence
officer will be disseminated to all personnel of the unit by one
or more of the following means:
(1) Conferences with personnel concerned.
(2) Posting of latest G-2 reports, periodic and special, on
the operations bulletin board.
49
63
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
(3) Posting of latest intelligence special messages, or the
context of the latest intelligence telephonic reports, on the
operations bulletin board.
(4) Posting of pertinent extracts from retained copies of
pilot and observer reports on the operations bulletin board.
(5) Posting of latest information on the intelligence situa-
tion map.
b. Intelligence situation map . — An intelligence situation
map will be maintained by all units of reconnaissance and
observation and liaison aviation. In general it will follow the
form of the intelligence situation map maintained in the
ground unit headquarters to which the air unit is assigned.
(1) The best available map is used for the purpose. Its
scale should be of the same scale as that used by the flying
personnel in the conduct of reconnaissance and observation
missions.
(2) The map should cover an area large enough to include
the air reconnaissance zone designated for the supported
ground unit or to include the normal depth within enemy ter-
ritory to which the air unit will operate. It should include
terrain in possession of our own troops in order to permit the
locating and plotting of our ground force units thereon, for
purposes of assisting in orienting flying personnel as to loca-
tions of ground command posts and message dropping grounds
and for purposes of checking camouflage.
(3) Depending upon the type of aviation unit and the type
of air missions required of it, such of the following enemy
information as is of interest to the particular air unit and in
such detail as may be necessary will be shown on the intelli-
gence situation map of the unit, using conventional signs and
symbols as far as practicable:
(a) Front line, showing dispositions and organization of the
ground.
(b) Organization in rear.
(c) Wire and other obstacles.
( d ) Location and types of airdromes and advance landing
fields.
(e) Balloon ascension points and beds.
(/) Infantry and cavalry patrol activity.
( g ) Location of artillery, with type and caliber.
50
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
63
(h) Location of antiaircraft weapons, including search-
lights and sound locators.
(0 Location of tanks and antitank means.
( j ) Location of machine guns and other auxiliary weapons.
(Jc) Location of command posts.
(l) Locations of explosions, fires, gassed areas, and of the
occurrence of other unusual events.
(m) Areas of enemy aerial activity.
in) Terrain photographed.
(o) Routes of circulation.
ip) Establishments.
(<?) Obstacles to flight, such as balloon barrages.
51
Form A
An example of
AN OBJECTIVE FOLDER
(See par. 40 for description of contents)
(Last revision date)
RESTRICTED
OBJECTIVE EOLDER
Country
City or town
Location Latitude Longitude.
Vertical
photo or
mosaic
(date)
Oblique
photo
(date)
Map
(date)
Target
analysis
(date)
CONTENTS:
1 . General description.
4, Local refineries and oil storage facil-
5, Steel plants
i
6. Coal yards and facilities -
7. Airports and air bases— transporta-
tion thereto, and facilities and
stores at airport
8. Munitions factories and their
9. Rail transportation system— yards,
stations, bridges
10. Highway transportation system-
bridges and defiles
11. Canal transportation system and
locks
12. Harbor facilities, docks, water-front
warehouses, unloading facilities,
etc . .
]R Naval bases
14. Military stores -
15. Harbor defenses
16 Water supply system
17 Other systems, by subject
18 Wpftf.fip.r _ . _
ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSES
LAND FORCES ..
SEA FORCES
AIR FORCES
53
air corps field manual
Form B
A form for an
INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION
for
Air Combat Units
Issuing unit
Place of issue
Date and hour of issue
Maps:
1. SUMMARY OF ENEMY SITUATION.
a . Location, strength, composition, dispositions, movements,
activities, and identifications of enemy air, ground,
and naval units which cam affect the accomplishment
of our own mission.
b. Location and description of enemy logistical establish-
ments and vital installations and of the antiaircraft
defenses thereof.
c. A rdsumd of the enemy objectives included in the mission,
showing the objective folder number corresponding to
each, with a statement as to the system of objectives
to which they belong and the importance to the enemy
of this system; and a notation of those objectives re-
quiring additional information to that filed in objec-
tive folders.
d . A forecast of weather conditions en route to and at the
objectives.
2. CONCLUSIONS.
a. Enemy capabilities . — A discussion of each of the lines of
action open to the enemy which may affect the accom-
plishment of our mission in the order of their possible
imminence. If no priority can be assigned, it should
be so stated. The earliest estimated time at which
the enemy can put each into effect should be stated.
b . When applicable, the possible result of the adoption by
the enemy of any capability should be briefly dis-
cussed.
( Signature of the intelligence officer)
54
3? orni C
INTELLIGENCE PLAN
for
Collection Of Information
2d Wing
(Location)
2 May 1940,3:00 AM
Phases or periods
of the operation or
objective folder
number and title
Essential elements of
information
Analysis of essential
elements of information
Collecting agency
or other source
Specific orders or requests
Time and method of
reporting informa-
tion remarks
Initial operations
against Black
raiding force.
Where and when
will the surface
components of the
Black naval raid-
ing force arrive
within radius of
our land-based air
striking force?
Will they be in
more than one di-
vision? If so,
what are the com-
ponents of each?
Location of all or part
of the surface com-
ponents of the Black
naval raiding force
found within the ra-
dius of action of our
reconnaissance agen-
cies. Time, loca-
tion, and course as
they enter radius of
action of our land-
based bombardment
aviation and their
subsequent move-
ment therein.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
1. Report location, num-
bers, disposition, iden-
tification as to type,
course, and time
sighted of all enemy
surface vessels ob-
served.
2. If enemy sighted is
within zone B, main-
tain contact for 30 min-
utes, reporting any
changes in his course
or disposition during
this time interval.
3. If enemy sighted is
entering or within
zone A, maintain con-
tact until relieved or
forced to return for
fuel or due to enemy
action, reporting
changes in enemy’s
actions as they occur.
Be prepared to lead
our air striking force
to the target by radio
compass aids or vis-
ually.
Reports when ob-
tained to 2d Wing
Hq. by radio, Air
Corps Net.
Zone B is the area,
within the bound-
aries of the first
defense sector, ly-
ing between the
lines representing
the outer limit of
our air reconnais-
sance force radius
of action and the
outer limit of the
radius of action of
our air striking
force with maxi-
mum bomb load.
Zone A is the area
within the radius
of action of our air
striking force with
maximum bomb
load.
4. Report results of our
air attack when made,
and subsequent ac-
tions of enemy surface
craft.
Naval local de-
fense aircraft.
5. Requests 1 , 2, 3, and 4
Reports when ob-
tained to naval
shore radio net con-
trol station, thence
by teletype to 2d
Wing Hq.
Naval local rln-
fense vessels.
All friendly com-
mercial ships at
How will Black em-
ploy his carrier-
based aviation?
Objective folder X. Exact location of
(Geographical lo-
cation, such as
U. S.-Norfolk
Virginia).
Subject: Harbor fa-
cilities.
docks and ware-
houses being used
by Black in un-
loading and stor-
ing supplies.
Objective folder Y.
(Geographical lo-
cation, such as
U. S.-Ncwport
News, Virginia).
Subject: Harbor fa-
cilities.
Have additional
Black troops and
supplies arrived
at Y and vicinity?
If so, exact loca-
tion of debarka-
tion points.
Objective folder Z.
(Geographical lo-
cation, such as
U. S. -Ports-
mouth, Virgin-
ia).
Subject : Bail trans-
portation system.
2 May to 5 May- - -
Location and type
construction of
new railroad
bridge over W
River at Z.
Will Black attempt
to establish land
bases on the east
coast further north
than X? If so,
where?
Early location of the
Black aircraft carri-
er and identification
of aircraft aboard by
type and numbers.
Presence and
strength of Black
pursuit aviation by
reports from our
aerial reconnaissance
planes of any pur-
suit action observed
or initiated against
them. Presence and
strength of Black
bombardment avia-
tion by reports from
our commercial ves-
sels of aerial attacks
initiated against
them, by reports of
hostile aircraft for-
mations observed,
and by reports of
shore establishments
of aerial attacks ini-
tiated against them,
and by reports from
our aerial reconnais-
sance planes of ene-
my bombardment
formations observed.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
Naval local de-
fense aircraft.
ft. Requests 1 and 4
7. Request 1_
Rpmn n
From ship to shore
broadcast stations
by radio, thence to
2d Wing Hq. by
telephone.
8. If and when Black
aircraft carrier is lo-
cated, report presence
or absence of airplanes
on carrier deck. Re-
port presence,
strength, method of
employment, and tac-
tics of hostile pursuit
aviation encountered
or observed and
whether it is used
solely in defense of the
carrier, in general de-
fense of the surface
raiding force, or other-
wise.
Same as 1.
9. Report time, altitude,
location, course num-
bers, and type enemy
aircraft observed.
10. Requests 8 and 9..
Same as 5.
Naval local de-
fense vessels.
11. Requests 8 and 9__- Same as 5.
Docks at which deep
draft vessels are
moored, unloading
activity, collections
of materiel and sup-
plies.
Location of Black
transports and car-
go vessels in Y har-
bor. Unloading ac-
tivity and methods
and docks used.
Location of Black
transports and con-
voys approaching
coast north of X.
I
Aircraft Warning
Service.
Antiaircraft Ar-
tillery Intelli-
gence Service.
12. Request 9-
13. Request 8 and de-
tails of any aerial at-
tacks made against
any metropolitan cen-
ter or shore establish-
ment within your vi-
cinity.
Coast Artillery
OP system.
All friendly com-
mercial ships at
sea.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
2d Wing Air Re-
connaissance
Force.
14. Request 13 _
15. Request report of
any aerial attack made
against your ship.
Method of attack.
Numbers of enemy
aircraft.
16. Obtain mosaic of
docks and vicinity at
X. Report docks in
use by deep draft ves-
sels and activity in
loading and storage
facilities in use. Pho-
tograph docks and lo-
cation of supply con-
centrations and ships
in harbor.
17. Same as request 16
at Y, and report con-
centrations and ac-
tivities of Black troops.
18. Photograph new rail-
road bridge over W
River at Z. High al-
titude verticals and
low altitude obliques
desired. Report esti-
mated size and type
construction of bridge
and approaches.
19. Same as request 1,
with particular atten-
tion to presence of con-
voyed transport or
cargo vessels north of
X.
Reports when ob-
tained from Air
Defense Hq. to 2d
Wing Hq. by tele-
phone.
Reports when ob-
tained through
Third Army Hq.
to 2d Wing Hq. by
telephone.
Same as 13.
From ship to shore
broadcast stations
by radio, thence to
2d Wing Hq. by
telephone.
By routine report at
completion of mis-
sion, to 2d Wing
Hq.
Report fleeting tar-
gets when ob-
served. Remaind-
er of report as in 16.
By routine report at
completion of mis-
sion, to 2d Wing
Hq.
Same as 1, and thence
to Third Army Hq.
by telephone.
255114° — 40 (Face p. 54)
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
For m D
A form for an
INTELLIGENCE ANNEX
for
Air Combat Units
ANNEX NO. TO FIELD ORDERS NO.
INTELLIGENCE
Issuing unit '
Place of issue
Date and hour of issue
Maps:
1. SUMMARY OF ENEMY SITUATION.— -(Include overlay
of intelligence situation map as an annex. See par. 26
for information that should be shown on this overlay.)
a. Location, strength, composition, dispositions, move-
ments, activities, and identifications of enemy air,
ground, and naval units.
b. Location and description of enemy logistical establish-
ments and vital installations and of enemy surface
antiaircraft defenses including aircraft warning net,
pursuit interception circles, and antiaircraft battery
range circles.
c. A list of enemy objectives covered by objective folders,
with the objective folder number after each, together
with a statement of the system of objectives to which
they belong and a notation of those objectives requir-
ing additional information for completion of objective
folders thereon.
2. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF INFORMATION.— (See par.
15 c for form and scope of essential elements.)
3. MEASURES TO OBTAIN INFORMATION,
a. Instructions to subordinate units.
( 1) Aerial reconnaissance and photography.
(a) (A separate lettered subparagraph for each
reconnaissance squadron and each com-
bat squadron or group, with an intelli-
gence order for each for the collection
and reporting of information, visual or
55
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
photographic, as consolidated from col-
umns 4, 5, and 6 of the intelligence plan.)
b. Requests to higher, neighboring, and cooperating units.
(1) Aerial reconnaissance and photography from army
aviation or navy aviation units.
(a) (A separate lettered subparagraph for each
unit, with a request for the collection and
reporting of information visual or photo-
graphic for each, as consolidated from
columns 4, 5, and 6 of the intelligence
plan.)
(2) Ground force surface observation, to include all
observation post systems, aircraft warning serv-
ice, signal intelligence service, and any others.
(a) (Same as 3 b (1) (a), less photography).
(3) Naval surface force observation.
(a) (Same as 3 & (1) (a), less photography.)
c. Requests on nonmilitary agencies, such requests to be
made through higher headquarters.
(1) (A separate numbered subparagraph for each
agency, such as commercial shipping, commer-
cial radio stations, lighthouse service, and com-
mercial airports, with a request for the collection
and reporting of information as consolidated
from columns 4, 5, and 6 of the intelligence
plan.)
4. MEASURES FOR HANDLING PRISONERS, CAPTURED
DOCUMENTS, AND MATERIEL; AND THE SUPPLY
OF MAPS.
a . Prisoners ; deserters, etc . — Plan for handling prisoners
of war, deserters from the enemy, repatriates, and
inhabitants.
b. Documents and captured materiel. — Plan for handling
and examining enemy documents and materiel.
c. Maps . — List of maps, conventional or photographic, that
will be supplied, with number of each class to each
subordinate unit. Instructions concerning special
requisitions.
56
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
5. INTELLIGENCE REPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION.
a. Period to be covered by periodic reports.
b. Special reports required from subordinate units.
c. Means to be used in making reports (messenger, per-
sonal contact, airplane, radio, telegraph printer) .
d. Distribution of periodic and special reports from higher
headquarters.
e. Periodic or special conferences of intelligence officers.
By command (order) of
Signature of intelligence officer.
Authentication.
Annexes:
Distribution :
57
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
Form E
A form for an
AIRPLANE COMMANDER'S REPORT
for
Reconnaissance Missions by GHQ Aviation Units
Note. — The form will vary with types of missions performed and
types of aircraft employed. Accordingly, this form will be used as a
guide only.
AIRPLANE COMMANDER'S REPORT
Issuing unit
Place of issue
Date and hour of issue
1. AIRPLANE. — (Type and Air Corps number.)
2. MISSION. — (Type and number; purpose in brief (if per-
taining to objective folders, give numbers) .)
3. TIME OF TAKE-OFF.
4. TIME OF LANDING.
5. FLIGHT MAP USED. — (If report is accompanied by an
overlay, so state here.)
6. ROUTE FOLLOWED, OBJECTIVE(S) OR AREA(S)
COVERED, ALTITUDES FLOWN.
7. VISIBILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING
FLIGHT.
8. (Brief chronological account of items of information ob-
tained visually; of photographs taken; of messages sent
and received; of enemy aircraft observed or encountered;
of enemy surface antiaircraft fire observed or en-
countered; and other results of reconnaissance.)
*9. BOMBS, AMMUNITION, AND PYROTECHNICS EX-
PENDED.
*10. CASUALTIES SUFFERED AND DAMAGE SUFFERED
TO AIRPLANE AND EQUIPMENT.
11. ENEMY CASUALTIES; DAMAGE TO ENEMY AIR-
CRAFT OR SURFACE MATERIEL.
12. CHARACTERISTICS AND TACTICS OF ENEMY AIR-
CRAFT AND OF SURFACE ANTIAIRCRAFT UNITS.
(Signed) Airplane Commander.
*Not required by intelligence officers but included for the infor-
mation of other staff officers.
58
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
Form F
A form for a
FLIGHT COMMANDER’S REPORT
for
Tactical Missions of GHQ Aviation Units
Note. — The form will vary with types of missions performed and
types of aircraft employed. Accordingly, this form will be used as a
guide only.
FLIGHT COMMANDER’S REPORT
Issuing unit
Place of issue
Date and hour of issue
1. DESIGNATION OF THE FLIGHT PERFORMING THE
MISSION.
*2. TYPE AND TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRPLANES IN-
VOLVED.
3. MISSION, TYPE, AND NUMBER.
*4. OBJECTIVE OR PURPOSE OF MISSION.
5. TIME OF TAKE-OFF.
6. TIME OF LANDING.
7. FLIGHT MAPS AND OBJECTIVE MAPS USED.
8. ROUTES OUT AND BACK, OR AREA COVERED; ALTI-
TUDES FLOWN.
9. VISIBILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING
FLIGHT.
10. (Brief chronological account of items of information ob-
tained visually; of photographs taken; of messages sent
and received; of enemy aircraft observed or en-
countered; and of enemy surface antiaircraft fire ob-
served or encountered.)
*11. BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RESULTS OF TACTICAL MIS-
SION.
*12. BOMBS, AMMUNITION, AND PYROTECHNICS EX-
PENDED.
*13. CASUALTIES SUFFERED AND AIRPLANES OR
EQUIPMENT LOST OR DAMAGED.
59
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
14. ENEMY CASUALTIES; ENEMY AIRCRAFT DE-
STROYED AND ENEMY SURFACE MATERIEL
DAMAGED, OTHER THAN THAT LISTED IN THE
OBJECTIVE OF THE MISSION.
15. CHARACTERISTICS AND TACTICS OF ENEMY AIR-
CRAFT AND OF SURFACE ANTIAIRCRAFT UNITS.
(Signed) Flight commander.
♦Not required by intelligence officers, but included for information
of other staff officers.
60
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
Form G
A form for
PERIODIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
for
Air Combat Units
(Adapted to telegraph printer transmission)
PERIODIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
From: (Date and hour)
To: (Date and hour)
Issuing unit
Place of issue
Date and hour of issue
1. ENEMY ACTIVITIES AIR. — (Appropriate resume.)
2. ENEMY ACTIVITIES GROUND. — (Appropriate resume.)
3. ENEMY ACTIVITIES NAVAL. — (Appropriate resume.)
4. OBJECTIVE FOLDER DATA. — (Additions or changes giv-
ing serial number of folder in each case.)
5. IDENTIFICATIONS. — (Additions or changes in enemy
units.)
6 . ENEMY KNOWLEDGE OF OUR SITUATION. — (Brief
estimate.)
7. ENEMY CAPABILITIES. — (List in priority of their prob-
able adoption or, if no priority, so state.)
8. MISCELLANEOUS. — (Any items not covered by above.)
Note. — Information contained in previous intelligence reports will
not be repeated; only changes or additions thereto. If no change
has occurred under a given heading, the number of the paragraph
only will be transmitted.
61
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
Form H
An example of an
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
for
Air Combat Units
(Adapted to telegraph printer transmission)
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY NO. 8 2D WING. LANGLEY
FIELD 10 MAY 40. 1 45 EST.
EIGHT BLACK TRANSPORTS UNLOADING TROOPS IN
LIGHTERS AT PORTLAND MAINE TWO CARGO VESSELS
UNLOADING AT PORTLAND DOCKS TWO BLACK
MEDIUM CRUISERS OFF SHORE PORTLAND FURNISH-
ING SURFACE AND ANTIAIRCRAFT PROTECTION NO
CHANGE ON BANGOR CONCENTRATION OF BLACK
CORPS CONSIDERABLE PONTOON BRIDGE EQUIP-
MENT BEING ASSEMBLED IN AUGUSTA BLACK CON-
CENTRATION AREA,
62
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
Form I
A form for
A PILOT AND OBSERVER REPORT
for
Reconnaissance (Army, Corps, and Division) and Observa-
tion and Liaison Aviation
PILOT AND OBSERVER REPORT
Squadron Airplane Date
Pilot (s) Observer (s)
Type of mission Maps
Objective, route,, or area covered
Ceiling ; visibility ; altitude
Time of departure Time of return
1. ENEMY GROUND ACTIVITY.
a. Cavalry.
b. Infantry.
c. Artillery.
d. Armored forces,
e. Roads.
/. Railroads,
sr. Antiaircraft,
ft. Any other.
2. ENEMY ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING AIR BASES
AND AIRDROMES. — (Not previously reported on or
stating changes therein.)
3. PERES AND EXPLOSIONS.
4. ENEMY AIRCRAFT SIGHTED, INCLUDING BALLOONS.
Type
Time
Location.
Altitude-.
63
Numbers
Markings
Activity—
AIR CORPS FIELD MANUAL
5. COMBATS.
a. Time, location, and altitude of engagement.
b. Number, type, markings, speed, maneuverability, arma-
ment, and combat efficiency of the enemy.
c. Narrative of engagement, including tactics employed,
both enemy and friendly; rounds fired, results.
6. RESULTS OP MISSION.
a. Brief chronological account of observations made and
enemy information obtained,
b. Areas photographed, exposures taken.
c. Command posts worked with.
d . Targets reported, rounds observed.
a Radio, dropped, panel or pyrotechnic messages sent or
received.
f. Any other results of mission.
7. MISCELLANEOUS ENEMY INFORMATION.
8. FRIENDLY ACTIVITY. — (Including location, nature, and
amount of activity of friendly troops and transporta-
tion, camouflage, and camouflage discipline.)
Pilot -
Observer
64
INTELLIGENCE PROCEDURE IN AVIATION UNITS
Appendix II
LIST OP REFERENCES
Employment of aviation of the Army FM 1-5
Tactics and technique of air reconnaissance and
observation FM 1-20
Aerial photography FM 1-35
(now published as TM 2170-6)
Combat intelligence FM 30-5
Observation FM 30-10
Examination of enemy personnel, repatriates,
documents, and materiel FM 30-15
(now published as part three, BFM volume X)
Military maps FM 30-20
Role of aerial photography FM 30-21
Counterintelligence FM 30-25
Identification of U. S. Government aircraft FM 30-30
Field service regulations — Operations FM 100-5
The staff and combat orders FM 101-5
65
INDEX
Paragraph Page
Air base headquarters 46 34
Annexes, intelligence 41 32
Answers to essential elements of information 31 26
Aviators, captured, examination and disposition. _ 44 33
Bombardment headquarters 47 34
Bombardment squadrons 48 36
Character of information desired 55 43
Chief of the Air Corps, Intelligence responsibility. 5 3
Classes of military intelligence 4 2
Classification of dissemination 34 27
Classifying information, purpose 21 20
Collecting agencies 16 13
Instructions to 18 17
Collection of information 14 9
Combat intelligence 4 2
Object 7 3
Command, intelligence as basic function 8 3
Commander’s decision, military intelligence in__ 6 3
Conclusions on evaluation and interpretation of
information 32 26
Definitions 3 1
Disposition of captured aviators, documents, and
materiel 44 33
Dissemination of intelligence 33, 61 27, 48
Classification 34 27
Methods 35 27
Prom ground forces to flying unit 62 49
Within the unit 63 49
Essential elements of information 15 12
Answers to 31 26
Estimate of the situation 36 28
Evaluation of information 29 24
Conclusions 32 26
Purpose 28 24
Examination and disposition of captured aviators,
documents, and materiel 44 33
Examples of forms App.I 53
Field orders 41 32
Piles, intelligence 27 23
Folder, objective 40 30
Forms, examples App. I 53
General requirements for intelligence 12, 52 6, 41
( 67 )
INDEX
Information: Paragraph
Character - 55
Collection 14
Essential elements 15
Answers to 31
Means employed to obtain 57
Method of recording 23
Method of reporting 20
Not restricted 19
Specific, for ground forces 56
Transmission 43
Instructions to collecting agencies . 18
Intelligence:
Annexes 41
As basic function of command 8
Classes 4
Dissemination _ 33, 61
Methods 35,62,63
Estimate of the situation 36
Files 27
General requirements for 12, 52
Journal 24
Nature and scope of, required by Air Corps 10
Officer 9
Periodic report 37
Plan 17
Records 22
Responsibility of Chief of the Air Corps 5
Sequence of procedure 13, 53
Situation map 26
Special reports and studies 38
Summary 39
Procedure «. 50
Work sheet 25
Interpretation of information 30
Conclusions 32
Purpose 28
Journal, intelligence .. 24
Materiel, examination and disposition of captured.. 44
Means employed to obtain information 57
Method of recording information 23
Method of reporting information 20
Methods of dissemination 35
From ground forces to flying unit 62
Within the unit 63
Nature and scope of War Department intelligence. 10
Object of combat intelligence 7
Objective folder 40
Officer, intelligence 9
Periodic ‘intelligence report
Photographs, preparation and transmission.
Plan, intelligence
Page
43
9
12
26
46
20
19
18
45
33
17
32
3
2
27,48
27, 49
28
23
6, 41
21
5
4
28
15
20
3
7,41
22
29
29
39
21
25
26
24
21
33
46
20
19
27
49
49
5
3
30
4
68
37
60
17
28
48
15
INDEX
Paragraph Page
Procedure, sequence 13,53 7,41
Purpose of evaluation and interpretation of infor-
mation 28 24
Purpose of recording and classifying information. _ 21 20
Pursuit group headquarters 47 34
Pursuit squadrons 48 36
Reconnaissance, visual, results 59 47
Reconnaissance squadrons 49 37
Recording information:
Method 23 20
Purpose... 21 20
Records, intelligence 22 20
References 2, App. II 1, 65
Reports:
Periodic intelligence 37 28
^Special intelligence 38 29
Scope of manual 1 1
Scope of War Department intelligence 10 5
Sequence of intelligence procedure 13,53 7,41
Situation map, intelligence 26 22
Special intelligence reports and studies 38 29
Specific information for ground forces 56 45
Summary, intelligence 39 29
Procedure 50 39
Task forces 45 34
Transmission and preparation of photographs 60 48
Transmission of information 43 33
Visual reconnaissance, results 59 47
War Department intelligence 4 2
Nature and scope 10 5
Wing? headquarters 45 34
Work sheet, intelligence 25 21
O
69