Reconnaissance photos would likely be taken close to the front lines. For a map showing the military situation on December 31, 1944 (sixteen days prior to the date of the aerial photograph, taken January 16, 1945), see Operations, 19 August - 31 December 1944 at the site of the US Military Academy. The map shows a German pocket in Memel, surrounded by Soviet forces, with the front line appearing near to Gargzdai (though the small scale makes the location of the line unclear). The German forces in Memel were defeated on January 28, 1945.

The Soviet Information Bureau reported that Gorzdy (as well as Kretinga and Palanga) fell to Soviet troops on October 10, 1944. "Vezaice" (i.e. Vezaiciai) had fallen on October 9. Soviet forces controlled Gargzdai at the time of the aerial photograph, three months later.

A reader skilled in the interpretation of aerial photographs has pointed to the areas circled below as possible anti-aircraft deployments. Area at lower left adjoins the Jewish cemetery.

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Photo shows damage to bridge (span and supports), and temporary bridge to south

Shown without rotation, for greater clarity

Processed with unsharp mask

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Does the photograph show an object within the synagogue interior?

The skilled reader referred to above indicates that the shape is not a real object and instead is caused by the photographic process.

Unprocessed image from optical enlargement

Image from optical enlargement, processed with "unsharp mask" function

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Gargzdai main page

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