Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Transport > Railway
World War I spy drawing
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
World War I spy drawing
What appears to be an innocent landscape drawing is in fact a plan of a harbour and its forts. The sketch has been made in accordance with a secret pictorial code known to the government in whose interest they were spying. In this code a windmill for example, would represent a lighthouse; a plantation of trees, a fort; a single farmhouse or cottage, a group of buildings; a group of houses, a town; a church, Admiralty offices or a Town Hall and double lines (ostensibly roads), railway tracks. In the image below, the innocent landscape has been decoded by the enemy for whom the drawing was made Date: 1914
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14231066
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Code Codes Forts Pictorial Plan Secret Spies Spying
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Transport
> Railway
> Historic
> World War I and II
> World War I
> Religious Art
> Religious Architecture
> Churches and Cathedrals
EDITORS COMMENTS
This World War I spy drawing, obtained from Mary Evans Prints Online, presents an enchanting landscape that conceals a strategic military plan. At first glance, the picture appears to be an idyllic representation of a pastoral scene, complete with a winding river, lush green fields, and a picturesque windmill. However, this seemingly innocuous image holds a covert significance, as it is in fact a meticulously crafted blueprint of a harbor and its fortifications. During the early years of the First World War, intelligence gathering was a critical aspect of the conflict. In the absence of advanced technology, spies relied on intricate codes and visual cues to convey sensitive information. This drawing is a prime example of such a covert communication method. The windmill, in this instance, represents a lighthouse; a plantation of trees, a fort; a single farmhouse or cottage, a group of buildings; a group of houses, a town; a church, Admiralty offices or a Town Hall; and double lines, railway tracks. The enemy, for whom this drawing was intended, managed to decipher the hidden meaning behind the seemingly innocuous landscape. This revelation underscores the importance of visual intelligence during wartime and the ingenious ways in which information was conveyed and decoded. The date on the image is 1914, making it an invaluable historical artifact that offers a fascinating glimpse into the clandestine world of World War I espionage.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
