Danesfield House, formally Royal Air Force Medmenham, in Buckinghamshire, England.
To view more of my images, of Danesfield House, please click "here" !
Currently, a Private Hotel, Danesfield House, is part of an estate, which previously belonged to the Ministry of Defence (Air); namely, Royal Air Force Station Medmenham!
Please, no group invites; thank you!
Most of the following information was extracted from Wikipedia, with addition of some personal knowledge!
RAF Medmenham history commenced in April 1941, when the RAF photographic Interpretation Unit (PIU) moved to Danesfield House. This unit, over time, merged with other organisations, performing similar functions, and was renamed the Central Interpretation Unit (CIU). During 1942 and 1943 the CIU gradually expanded and was involved in the planning stages of practically every operation of the war, and in every aspect of intelligence. In 1945 daily intake of material averaged 25,000 negatives and 60,000 prints. By VE-day the print library, which documented and stored worldwide cover, held 5,000,000 prints from which 40,000 reports had been produced. Of particular significance in the success of the work of Medmenham was the use of "stereoscopic images", using a between plate overlap of exactly 60%. Having overcome the initial scepticism of Lord Cherwell, to the possibility of the new rocket technology, major operations made possible by the work at Medmenham included, on 17 and 18 August 1943, an offensive against the V-2 rocket development plant at Peenemunde. Later offensives were also made against potential launch sites at Wizernes and 96 other launch sites in Northern France. It is claimed that greatest operational success of Medmenham was with Operation Crossbow which, from 23 December 1943, destroyed the V-1 infrastructure in Northern France.
In 1952, 591 Signals Unit moved to RAF Medmenham and stayed until 1955 when it moved to RAF Digby. It was during its stay at Medmenham that the unit's crest was conceived; a Kingfisher, watching over the river Thames, representing the unit's watch over the integrity and security of RAF communications.
On 3 November 1958, RAF Signals Command (HQSC) (Motto: Aetherem Vincere - "To Conquer the Aether") was formed at Medmenham by raising No 90 Signals Group, RAF to Command status under Air Vice Marshal Leslie Dalton-Morris. It was a relatively short-lived Command, lasting only until 1 January 1969, when it was absorbed by Headquarters Strike Command (HQSTC) and reduced to Group status. At this time, RAF Signals Command was renamed to the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE), moving temporarily to RAF Benson, until permanent accommodation was established at RAF Henlow!
Danesfield House, formally Royal Air Force Medmenham, in Buckinghamshire, England.
To view more of my images, of Danesfield House, please click "here" !
Currently, a Private Hotel, Danesfield House, is part of an estate, which previously belonged to the Ministry of Defence (Air); namely, Royal Air Force Station Medmenham!
Please, no group invites; thank you!
Most of the following information was extracted from Wikipedia, with addition of some personal knowledge!
RAF Medmenham history commenced in April 1941, when the RAF photographic Interpretation Unit (PIU) moved to Danesfield House. This unit, over time, merged with other organisations, performing similar functions, and was renamed the Central Interpretation Unit (CIU). During 1942 and 1943 the CIU gradually expanded and was involved in the planning stages of practically every operation of the war, and in every aspect of intelligence. In 1945 daily intake of material averaged 25,000 negatives and 60,000 prints. By VE-day the print library, which documented and stored worldwide cover, held 5,000,000 prints from which 40,000 reports had been produced. Of particular significance in the success of the work of Medmenham was the use of "stereoscopic images", using a between plate overlap of exactly 60%. Having overcome the initial scepticism of Lord Cherwell, to the possibility of the new rocket technology, major operations made possible by the work at Medmenham included, on 17 and 18 August 1943, an offensive against the V-2 rocket development plant at Peenemunde. Later offensives were also made against potential launch sites at Wizernes and 96 other launch sites in Northern France. It is claimed that greatest operational success of Medmenham was with Operation Crossbow which, from 23 December 1943, destroyed the V-1 infrastructure in Northern France.
In 1952, 591 Signals Unit moved to RAF Medmenham and stayed until 1955 when it moved to RAF Digby. It was during its stay at Medmenham that the unit's crest was conceived; a Kingfisher, watching over the river Thames, representing the unit's watch over the integrity and security of RAF communications.
On 3 November 1958, RAF Signals Command (HQSC) (Motto: Aetherem Vincere - "To Conquer the Aether") was formed at Medmenham by raising No 90 Signals Group, RAF to Command status under Air Vice Marshal Leslie Dalton-Morris. It was a relatively short-lived Command, lasting only until 1 January 1969, when it was absorbed by Headquarters Strike Command (HQSTC) and reduced to Group status. At this time, RAF Signals Command was renamed to the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE), moving temporarily to RAF Benson, until permanent accommodation was established at RAF Henlow!