World War II Through My Father’s Eyes: Photo Album of Donald Krasno USAAF 4th Photo Technical Squadron Italy 1944-1945
Donald Krasno (1921–2005) served in World War II in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Fifteenth Air Force, 5th Photo Group Reconnaissance, 4th Photo Technical Squadron, as a Photo Laboratory Technician in Italy from 1944–1945.
While in Italy, he took hundreds of photos and collected even more. This book features 175 photos selected from his album of over 500 photos of life in post-Liberation Italy—fellow soldiers, officers, and townspeople in San Severo, Rome, Venice, and beyond. There are aerial reconnaissance photos and closeups of a variety of reconnaissance aircraft.
The photos give a rare insight into World War II in Italy, but also honor my father’s vision. He clearly had in mind a story to tell—of the horrors of war and the strength of spirit of those who fought it, lived it, and prevailed.
Hey Joe! Fourth Photographic Technical Squadron Yearbook 1944 (PDF)
USAAF official yearbook created in 1944 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain)
Hey Joe! Booklet November 1944 – May 1945 (PDF)
USAAF official booklet created in 1945 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain.) Courtesy of Meryl Ann Butler from the collection of Sergeant Ralph H. Butler Jr., 4th Photo Technical Squadron.
Strategic Photo Reconnaissance, 5th Reconnaissance Group (PDF)
USAAF official booklet created in 1945 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain.)
Oblique Photography – 5th Reconnaissance Group, May 1945
World War II Books. USAAF official booklet created in 1945 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain.)
Mediterranean Allied Photo Reconnaissance Wing Yearbook 1943 (PDF)
Donald Krasno’s copy of a USAAF official yearbook created in 1943 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain)
32nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Yearbook 1944–45 (PDF)
Donald Krasno’s copy of a USAAF official yearbook created in 1945 for limited distribution to photo recon staff. (Public domain)
Il Circo, Album Mediterranea N. 12. Donald Krasno bought this book in Rome in 1943 and gave it to me when I was a young child. Cherished for 70+ years. Cut paper figures open in 3D as the pages are turned. (Il Circo. Roma, Casa Editrice Mediterranea, 1943. “Album rilievo Mediterranea” N. 12. Con 4 tavole tridimensionali a colori, con fondo fisso illustrato e figure sagomate disposte verticalmente, separate da distanziatori. Testo in rima nella parte inferiore.)