Aerial Reconnaissance of the Soviet Fleet in the Black Sea Region in June–august 1941

The quantitative and qualitative composition of the reconnaissance aviation of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet and the Danube military flotilla on the eve and in the initial period of the Great Patriotic War, the main tasks and directions of its actions, the general characteristics of the organizational work of intelligence departments and the direct performance of aerial reconnaissance in the specific conditions of the outbreak of war are revealed. The characteristics of the technical side of aviation exploration are given, the difficulties of organization and problems during flights are considered. A number of previously unknown moments in the history of the fleet have been discovered, and some circumstances of known events have been clarified.