Possibly as evidence for him having to go round again (or go to a secondary target,) because somebody got in his way, and prevented bomb release. You all seem to be forgetting the standard of the actual print; I have several dozen wartime reconnaissance photos, and none have such strong contrast as this one. Either it’s been printed on an unusually hard grade of paper, or maybe it’s a (photo or laser?) copy, which has deepened the contrast. For me, that engine has shed a lot of oil, some of which has reached as far as the tailplane, and the shadow of the photograher’s aircraft has made it even darker; copy the photo, then play with the contrast, and it’s possible to make out the outlines of the top aircraft’s port engines.
Edgar
Of course, one needs to bear in mind that this probably isn’t a reconnaisance photograph. It’s more likely a snap, like many hundreds of similar snaps taken by US airmen of each other’s aircraft in flight. It is unlikely one would take a reconaissance photo with a bl**dy great B29 in between you and the area to be reconnoitred.
Pagen01, exactly!
Edit because I read the post again – properly this time – Interesting ‘proof of obstruction’ theory. Would there be time to say ‘would someone get a shot of that plane that’s in the way, please’? I suppose it’s possible – are there any other examples of such photos?
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