Military Reconnaissance:
Camouflage

Different techniques of camouflage are often used in an attempt to thwart efforts of reconnaissance photographers and confuse photointerpreters.

Can you spot the camouflage in these photographs?

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This German photograph from World War II shows camouflage in the Kremlin. To the trained eye the "dummy" buildings are clearly evident. The clue is that the real buildings cast long shadows, while the flat false structures have hardly any shadows at all.
Department of Defense Photograph

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Oil storage tanks are camouflaged in this photograph. Telltale circular features are visible beneath the false roofs.
Department of Defense Photograph

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A World War II aircraft factory is hidden in the photograph on the left. The road that goes nowhere (arrow) is a clue to the deception. Sheets of painted fabric supported by telephone poles have been spread over the plant. Shown in the image on the right is the Lockheed plant in Burbank, California, before the camouflage was applied.
Photographs courtesy of Lockheed Aircraft Company

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Inflatable equipment can fool reconnaissance flyers.
Department of Defense Photograph

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Japanese boats concealed by local vegetation.
Department of Defense Photograph

Military Reconnaissance

Cuban Missile Crisis

Military Reconnaissance: Camouflage

Military Reconnaissance:
Camouflage