RAF Medmenham

RAF Medmenham was a Royal Air Force unit based at Danesfield House near Medmenham, in Buckinghamshire, England. The unit specialized in photographic intelligence, and was once the home of the RAF Intelligence Branch. RAF Medmenham was to imagery intelligence, what Bletchley Park was to signals intelligence.

WWII

In April 1941 an RAF photographic interpretation unit (PIU) moved to Danesfield House, Medmenham, as its previous location at Wembley was short of space, and was renamed the "Central Interpretation Unit" (CIU).Later that year the "Bomber Command Damage Assessment Section" was absorbed, and amalgamation was completed when the "Night Photographic Interpretation Section" of "No 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit", RAF Oakington, was integrated with CIU in February 1942.

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 world-wide cover, held 5,000,000 prints from which 40,000 reports had been produced.

American personnel had for some time formed an increasing part of the CIU and on 1 May 1944 this was finally recognised by changing the title of the unit to the "Allied Central Interpretation Unit" (ACIU). There were then over 1700 personnel on the unit's strength. The title of the unit reverted to "Central Interpretation Unit" when the Americans returned home in August 1945.

Early in 1945 a number of photographic interpreters (PIs) were sent to join the "British Bombing Research Mission" in Paris to explore the degree of damage and production interruption caused by Allied bombing in the Resistance areas of the Central Massif and in the ports. They were also tasked with checking PI reports which would eventually be related to assessment reports of attacks on German industry. Several PIs were also seconded to The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to join a detachment of RAF and Army Officers.

Post-WWII

With the cessation of hostilities in Europe in May 1945 some sections closed almost immediately, whilst others worked on tasks for the Control Commission in Germany. The several Army sections of CIU were incorporated in September 1946 to become the "Army Photographic Interpretation Centre (UK)" (APIC (UK)).

The CIU was placed under the control of the newly established "Central Photographic Establishment" of RAF Coastal Command which had replaced the disbanded 106 Group and the "Joint Photographic Reconnaissance Committee" (JPRC). In August 1947 the unit's name was changed yet again, this time to the "Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (UK)" (JAPIC (UK)). In October 1947, APIC (UK) was renamed the "Army Photographic Interpretation Unit (UK)", (APIU (UK)) and, although it continued to operate within JAPIC (UK), had special responsibilities to the Director of Military Intelligence. The Officer Commanding APIU (UK) was also deputy commandant of JAPIC (UK).

In December 1953, the unit was given the title of the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (United Kingdom), (JARIC (UK)). The personnel of APIU (UK) were absorbed into the establishment of the joint service unit and the Army has continued to provide a number of PIs and supporting staffs in the JARIC establishment. JARIC moved in the 1960s to RAF Brampton, where it still exists.

The "Joint School of Photographic Interpretation" (JSPI) at Chicksands - where PIs for all 3 British services are now trained - has recently been renamed 'Medmenham Training Wing' in honour of unit's heritage with Medmenham.

RAF Radio Introduction Branch

During the Second World War an organisation known as the "Post Design Services" (PDS) was formed at the Telecommunications Research Establishment, Malvern, Worcestershire to provide a direct link between the designers of electronic equipment in the laboratories and the service users in the field. The organization was manned by civilian scientists and serving officers and worked predominantly in the fields of airborne radar and ground control interception. In 1946, PDS was disbanded and a successor organisation, the "Radio Introduction Branch" (RIB), was formed at RAF Medmenham. In 1952, the RIB was renamed as "Radio Introduction Unit" (RIU) and became responsible for the introduction into service of all airborne and ground radio systems. The unit had a complement of ten officers dealing with airfield approach aids, airborne tail warning, Doppler navigation, weapon aiming and airborne interception for aircraft such as the Javelin, Brigand, Valetta, Venom and Meteor. The unit moved to RAF Benson in 1977.