Unique Aircraft, Unique Perspective - Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI PA 944

During the early months of 2014 this author published a blog article on the specific pre-operation photo-reconnaissance mission conducted before Operation Market-Garden which provided critical intelligence regarding the presence of significant elements of the II SS Panzer Corps (9th and 10th Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions) in immediate proximity with the Oosterbeek/Arnhem area. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2015/04/an-exercise-in-photo-reconnaissance.html

Unfortunately, as related in that article, this empirical intelligence along with a breath of other intelligence information, including even Enigma traffic, was brazenly dismissed by both Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and Lieut-General Frederick ‘Boy’ Browning.

Although not directly related to those precise circumstances, this article relates another rather unique perspective related to the specific type of aircraft employed in conducting that mission. The aircraft being the Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI. As will be discussed this plane was adapted by the then U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), which initially had been flying the Lockheed F-5A. a modified photo-reconnaissance configuration of the P-38 Lightning.

With full acknowledgement and gratitude to SHORTS HD The Short Movie Channel the following video (short film honorable mention award - 2007 SUNDANCE Film Festival ) is presented; ; https://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

For those readers who might want an even more expanded and detailed account, the following rather long video should prove of interest.