The two photographs on Page 32 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.

 

The photographs were taken to show the effect of the pre-bombardment allied barrage on a German battery located to the west of Zandvoorde (exact position - 50°48'53.5"N 2°58'05.9"E - 20 metres south of Zillebekestraat in a farmyard by a stream, 150 metres north of the junction with Oude Zonnebekestraat) immediately prior to the Battle of Messines, map coordinates 28. P. 2. a. The upper photograph was taken on the 24th December 1916 and the date of the lower photograph was 9th June 1917, only 2 days after 19 mines were detonaed along the Messines Ridge. Note the extent of the damage.