The parachute tied up under the forward observer's seat with British and Italian officers looking on, 26 June 1918

Photograph, World War One, Italy (1915-1918), 1918.

British and Italian intelligence officers organised trials of a device for dropping a man by parachute through the floor of an Italian Savoia-Pomilio SP4 aircraft. The tests were conducted in front of Allied officers by the Royal Air Force at Grossa and San Pelagio aerodromes in June 1918.

Left to right, the officers include Lieutenant-Colonel Billy Mitchell of the US Army, Major Finzi of 4th Italian Army intelligence, Captain Clairac of the French Army, Lieutenant-Colonel P. Joubert de la Ferte, Commanding 14th Wing Royal Air Force, Captain Henderson, British Staff Office 6th Army, Lieutenant Coburn, Wing Equipment Officer.

From a collection of photographs collected by Lt Col John Fillis Carré Carter whilst serving in Intelligence in Italy.