American Recognition cards

I was lucky recently when some friends gave me a collection of recognition cards. I have never seen anything quite like these before, they are approx 9 x 6cm so are a little bit smaller than playing cards. Each card consists of a photograph on one side and is marked “Restricted” ( I thought this was purely a British term). The other side has a drawing of the profile or plan of the same aircraft and is marked with the date August 1944 and a code ie ZE-MB or 1E-55F.

The packet that they are packed in is apparently from the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, Special Devices Division.

So do I have something rare or common as muck, I have no idea. I bet someone here knows something about them. I am interested to know who they would have been issued to, I assume to Navy gunners leaving for Europe, but anyone else? The aircraft are primarily British and include some comparatively unusual types, however the Dakota is featured but the B17 and B24 are not, both of which served in the RAF.

Below are a couple of pics that may help.

Best Regards

QP