Author: Inter-Services Topographic Department.
Title: I.S.T.D. D/223 (a). REPORT ON THE CALABRIAN PENINSULA. Photographs. February 1943. Sm. folio. ivpp. 133 ills. + Supplementary ills. + Additional ills. Original wrapps., few details penned over, ‘Restricted’ Ink stamp. [And] K/205 A. Photographs to Illustrate I.S.T.D. Reports K/202, K/203, K/204, K/206, K/207, K/307, K/308. Section 1: Photographs 1-560 FRENCH ITALIAN FRONTIER TO GENOA (Exclusive). September 1943.; Sm. folio. 7pp. 560 ills. Original wrapps., few details penned over, some tears to backstrip, ‘Restricted’ ink stamps. [And] K/205 B. Photographs to Illustrate I.S.T.D. Reports K/202, K/203, K/204, K/206, K/207, K/307, K/308. Section 2: Photographs 561-1112. GENOA TO LA SPEZIA. September 1943. Sm. folio. 8pp. 552 ills. Original wrapps., few details penned over, some tears to backstrip, ‘Restricted’ ink stamps. [And] K/205C (Restricted) Photographs to Illustrate I.S.T.D. Reports K/202, K/203, K/204, K/206, K/207, K/208, K/307, K/308. Section 3: Photographs 1113-1275. LIGURIA TO THE PO PLAIN. July 1944. Sm. folio. 5pp. 163 ills. printed on photographic paper (minor curling to edges). Original wrapps., few details penned over, some tears to backstrip.
Description: , 4 volumes in total. ¶ The Inter-Services Topographic Department (1940–1946) was a joint British Army and Navy organization created during World War II that was responsible for supplying topographic intelligence for all combined operations, and in particular, for preparing reports in advance of military operations overseas. Administered by the Royal Navy the (ISTD) was born of the chaotic invasion of Norway by the British in early 1940 (incredibly they were relying on revised early C02th Baedeker Guides). Before that time the Army and Royal Navy had different intelligence units that were independent of each other. Established at Manchester College Oxford, and working with members of each arm and the Allies, this unit was able to bring together zero-elevation aerial photography, in order to bring the views of the beach landscape, which were then made into continuous horizontal strip photographs, marked with military targets such as bridges, marshalling yards and the like, and up-to-date photos and intelligence were used to up date obsolete maps. From these new maps, and from older maps, magazine illustrations, and old family holiday snaps collected from the public, new maps could be produced for the planning staffs and operations forces. When not in use ‘This book is invariably to be locked up when not in use and is not to be taken outside the ship or establishment ... without express permission of the Commanding Officer’. Given it’s ‘Restricted Access’ and unpublished status these Reports are extremely rare. Seemingly not documented anywhere in the public domain, or is any further information regarding titles, dates etc. In all probability many of them were probably destroyed after the war, or retained by the various Intelligence Agencies.

Keywords: NAVAL AND MILITARY; WORLD WAR II


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