DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO INTELLIGENCE MANUAL FOR THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00314R000100430007-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 13, 1998
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: April 1, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

DRAFT PROI'OS:\I. FOR
GEOGRAPHIC Ph OTO INTELLIGENCE MANUAL
FOR
THE CONTINENT OF AI'RIC:1
Prcparrd By
Ariril, 1960
25X1A5a1
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP63-00314R00010043O0p7-
 PROPOSAL FOR GEOGAPIIIC,,I' IOTO I'"TEI.I IGENCE MANIUA
FOR THE C NTINEtTT ,'OF AFR lCA
has recently completed a geographic photo intellige!nee
25X1A5a1
manual for a large part of North Africa?
25X1A5a1
significant area in global strategy and as a theatre of potential military instabilit*#, -ttie
availability to intelligence agencies of accurate, c-ornprehcensive photo intelligence- on
the area is of great importance. This proposal i-ffor
Photo Intelligence Manual of
the African Continent - a continuation of the work-previou:3ly acdomplished which will
provide a complete training and reference manualt of Africa for photo intelligence pur-
poses.
II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We propose to perform research, compile, and provide one reproducible copy,Gf h
Photo Intelligence Manual of Africa, including Madagascar, as outlined on the attached
map. The manual will be prepared to serve bothtas a training slid and as a manual forr
operational reference. It will provide'seleeted?n4aterials in such a form that phcalto inter-
preters and intelligence analysts with no previous knowledge of an area can rapidly and
accurately identify and understand the
which are of military importance.
III. BACKGROUND
ignificaxrce of features of that geographic area
The African continent presents a tremendously varied landtcape ranging frcral tropical
to temperate physical and cultural environments.: The physical features include-sandy
wastes, lush jungles, upland plateaus cut by steer gorges, broad prairies, large- areas
of swamp, and high, rugged mountain peaks. The cultural environment is exemplified
With the emergence of the entire African continent as an increasingly
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP63-00314R0001004
 by an intermingling of European colonial and native\African influences which dictate the
characteristics of agriculture and urbanization. With this physical and cultural dlvl'I'-
sity, it becomes imperative that a study of the area provide interpreters and analysts
with a clear understanding of the area's geographic features. This is all the more imn
portant in view of the rising nationalism in the area and its possible effects on the world
military situation,
It is assumed that the photo analyst thoroughly understands and is familiar with the
basic principles of object-image identificatton as determined by shape, size, shadow,
tone, texture, pattern, and position or location. It is presumed that the analyst 03,A,
classify object-images into broad categories, suuh as terrain surface, vegetation,
man-made features, etc. , and that associations or complexes of individual features
can be recognized even though not all of tht' components of the association can be-ident-
ified.
Even with extensive training and experience in basic photo interpretation, however,
a photo analyst only rarely has enough knowledge of specific geographic areas torpre-
pare meaningful and comprehensive area reports and evaluations. Not only are the-
visible characteristics of objects influenced by the geographic environment, but the
environment itself produces many object-images which are unique to a particular area
and which must be considered in a thorough understanding of the area's photo ge=ography.
The proposed manual would provide a photo geographic synthesis, on a regional
basis, of the bulk of textual material covering the area, directod specifically toward
the military significance of the features of each region. This tegional synthesis is
paired with a carefully selected visual presentation consisting of annotated aerial pbo-
tography (stereograms) with supporting oblique and ground photography- This dual
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP63-00314R0001Q04'
 0
presentation is well integrated and directed to provide the analyst with meaningful clues
which will enable him to rapidly obtain a picture of the military geography of the area
and to effectively prepare general or specific photo intelligence reports, evaluations, or
estimates.
IV. MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROJECT
A large volume of documentary material exists in both government and private
sources on Africa. This material, in addition to various intelligence reports and De-
fense Department publications,- includes considerable work performed by universities
under government contract, as well as an extensive coverage in open sources, such as
the Library of Congress, various geographic societies, a large array of periodicals,
and a fund of knowledge represented by qualified individuals who have lived and worked
in various parts of the area. Much of the information in some sources is not applicable
to the purpose of the manual; however, experience in area research has led to employ-
ment of rapid research procedures to extract and synthesize pertinent material.
Photographic coverage is suitable to provide a comprehensive treatment of the
area. In some countries, available coverage is nearly 100%. In addition to U. S. Air
Force and other United States sources, coverage obtained by the British Directorate
of Overseas Surveys and the French Institut Geographique National is available and will
25X1A5a1
be searched, has extensive holdings of excellent quality pho-
tography in Spanish Sahara Liberia, Angola, Libya, Mozambique, and Union of South
Africa. Of great significance is the fact that,
we have the opportunity
to obtain coverage of specific areas specially for this project.
 0
0
Research for the project will involve search, review, and analysis of data from
aerial and ground photography, texts, maps, reports, and personal interviews with
authorities on the area. Collection of photography will be handled by appropriate
means, i. e. , loan, requisition, or purchase.
The area will be divided into major divisions and subdivisions as appropriate. At
present it is anticipated that there would be 60 to 75 major regional divisions in Africa.
The criteria for delineation of the divisions will be based on gross image character-
istics as exhibited by topography and cuhiral patterns, and will be established so as to
provide a logical keying-by-location process of maximum benefit to the user.
B. Method of Presentation and General Outline
The method of presentation most effective in an area study is an all-inclusive treat-
ment within each area division or subdivision. All the pertinent data about a specifically
defined region is included under the heading of that region. Entry into the manual is
by means of a series of location maps - one map delimiting the area divisions and a
detailed map for each area division. Within the area divisions and subdivisions as
applicable, text material, captioned aerial and ground photographs, sketches, and maps
will be employed to present a comprehensive picture of natural and cultural features of
military significance in the area. Emphasis will be on the aerial aspects; stereograms
will be used wherever possible, supplemented by oblique and ground photography.
Within each area division or subdivision, each subject (physical features, agri-
culture, urban areas, transportation, etc.) will be analyzed in relation to its particular
environment. For convenience and utility, subjects will be discussed under subheadings.
 0
Discussion will include identification and description of natural and cultural features
and associations of these features, together with the militarily significant conditions
indicated by them. Process, function; and variations of identified items will be indicated.
Each area division and subdivision will include material under the following sub-
headings, as appropriate. Order of presentation will be consistent throughout. Treat-
ment of each topic will be aimed to give the analyst a clear understanding of the military
intelligence aspects of each topic, as related to the geography of the region.
Location, size, boundaries, and significance of the area
Sub-heading: Physical Features
Geology
Topography
Soils
Vegetation
Drainage
Climate
Crops
Field Patterns and Farm Characteristics
Irrigation
Agricultural Practices
Sub-heading: Urban Areas
Characteristics, Types, Functional Components, Street Patterns
Description of Dwellings, Commercial and Other Structures
Location and Structure of Installations
Pattern and Layout
Products and Processes
 El
Sub-heading: Transportation
Railways
Roads
Inland Waterways
Ports
Radio Communication and Broadcasting
Telephone and Telegraph
Sub-heading: Military Installations
Airfields
Camps
Naval Bases
Fortifications and Field Works
Electronics Installations
The material will be compiled in such a way as to be suitable for publication as a
training and reference manual. Mock-up pages shall be prepared with carefully posi-
tioned stereograms, captions, annotations, and supporting text. Layouts will be with
the objective of straight-forward but interesting presentation of material, and a cer-
tain degree of variety without confusion. Actual page formats can be designed to con-
form to most publication specifications without sacrificing effectiveness of presentation.
An editing process will be performed to insure correctness of techniques, information,
terminology, grammar, and format.
VI. SERVICES AND NATERIALS REQUIRED
A. In order to assure sufficient research facilities, it will be necessary that quali-
fied personnel be granted access to the following depositories
of information:
USAF Documents Library (AFCIN 3D3)
USA. Library (Pentagon Building)
Aeronautical Chart & Information Center, Detachment #1, PRSD
Dept. Navy, ONI Photo Files (H1) and Documents Library (M5)
Army Map Service
 B. It is expected, based on experience in compiling the North Africa manual, that
much valuable source material exists in foreign language books and periodicals. In
order to utilize this material, research of foreign language (mainly French) documents,
and translation of selected applicable material will be necessary.
C. The drafting and photo lab facilities of will be utilized
as required for photo processing, layout, and mock-up of the manual.
D. Photography obtained from government sources should be at no cost to
25X1A5a1
25X1A5a1
E. The services of a qualified organization will be secured to prepare from typed
25
 5X1A5a1
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP63-00314R000100430007-9
25X1A5a1
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP63-00314R000100430007-9
 Sanitized -Approved For Release: CIA-DP63-003148000100
.
Item 1 Manuscript mock-up of approximately 6(1 to 73rcgional
VIII. MATERIAL TO BE DELIVERED
continent of Africa, except those areas of North ;Africa Previously compil
as shown on the attached map, in a form suitable for inspection and acc f_i
.ii
Item 2 An index which will identify. by source a 6d number, alli photography used in
ance by the contracting agency.
Item 4 Periodic progress reports as
duction.
Item 3 A final mock-up of the manual suii;rble for photographic
the manual.
 IX. SCHEDULE OFOEL1, Elt\
Complete drli~cry Ihir'iy (30) uronth:c from!da;ce of co,itraf.t. Dcli':cry of
each regional division could be made as completed, on a~ area priority
basis, beginning six (6) iron:hs from contrl:'iu-t datc,a
Item 2 Thirty-six (36) montlrs from date of contract..
Item 3 Thirty-six (36) months from date of contriact. Partial deliveries on an
area priority basis beginning ten (10) rnont;'hs from date if contract.
Item 4 As desired.
This schedule assumes Ihal draft mock-ups (Item 1) of each di
mitted for inspection and acceptance as compiled, acid firma] chock-u
division as soon as the draft is approved. 11 is further assumed th
will be encountered in procurement of photography.
X. WARRANTY 25X1A5a1
warrants tha no 1)(,,r,,6 n or selling a
employed or retained to solicit or secure this conlra t upon an agr
standing for a commission, percentage, brokerage c>' contingency
employees or bona fide en ablished commercial or s4l.ling agencies
Sanitized - Approved For Re
t no undue delayt
ency has been
ement or under-
2bX7/4.J
RDP63-00314;
 --?'~ yoLTA
~'V i_i ~s
r
.[~Nt 1 ~,: ~ < 3 1
AFRICA
25X1A5a1
Area completed under
contracts
25X1A5a1