Catalogue description War Office and Ministry of Defence: Survey Services: Directorate of Military Survey and Survey Units: Technical Instructions, 1885-1992

This series contains technical instructions produced by the various survey units operating in support of the armed forces. The technical instructions cover all elements of the work of the survey units: field survey procedures; product design and specifications; processes to be followed; equipment and materials to be used and maintained; and administrative requirements.

Topics include:

• surveying techniques: levelling, triangulation, air surveys, air photography, revision and accuracy;
• cartographic specifications: projections, grid systems, scales, colours, conventional signs, line widths, cartographic representation of boundaries, use of punctuation, transliteration and spelling of names, use of capital letters, marginalia, edition numbering, standardisation and overprints;
• cartographic process: materials, equipment, calibration, safety, and reproduction process markings;
• administrative: checking procedures, sheet history notes, record copies, map supply and distribution, production of gazetteers, interaction with the Ordnance Survey, division of duties and responsibilities.

The series also includes Standardisation Agreements (STANAGS) produced by the Combined Military Planning Staff of the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO), a Cold War alliance which included the UK.

Also included are a number of training pamphlets, and memoranda produced by the survey units.

Ministry of Defence, Directorate of Military Survey, 1964-2000

War Department, Topographical Department, 1855-1857

War Office, Directorate of Military Operations and Intelligence, Geographical Section, 1922-1939

War Office, Directorate of Military Operations and Plans, Geographical Section, 1939-1943

War Office, Directorate of Military Operations, Geographical Section General Staff, 1908-1922

War Office, Directorate of Military Operations, Topographical Section, 1904-1908

War Office, Directorate of Military Survey, 1943-1964

War Office, Intelligence Branch, 1873-1888

War Office, Military Intelligence and Mobilization Department, Topographical Section, 1901-1904

War Office, Military Intelligence Division, Topographical Section, 1888-1901

War Office, Topographical Department, 1857-1873

from 2012 Ministry of Defence