Aerial Photograph of Birkenau

An aerial reconnaissance photograph of the Auschwitz concentration camp showing AuschwitzII (Birkenau), including the gypsy camp.

One of a series of aerial photographs taken by Allied reconnaissance units under the command of the 15th U.S. Army Air Force during missions dating between April4, 1944 and January 14, 1945. The photos were used to plan bombing raids, determine the accuracy of bombing sorties, or make damage assessments. A typical sortie employed two cameras equipped with lenses of different focal lengths.
Photo credit: National Archives, courtesy of USHMM Photo Archives

A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
College of Education, University of South Florida © 2000.