The Ethiopia-United States Mapping Mission, also known as the Ethi-U.S. Mapping Mission, was an operation undertaken by the United States Army during the 1960s to provide up-to-date topographic map coverage of the entire country of Ethiopia. The soldiers who conducted the mapping operations on the ground during that time used the latest surveying and mapping techniques and were exposed to many hardships and dangers, but they completed their mission near the end of the decade. The maps that were created still serve as the base maps for the country of Ethiopia and are presently being updated and maintained by the Ethiopian Mapping Authority.
The Ethiopia-United States Mapping Mission was a mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 64th Engineer Battalion, 29th Engineer Company and U.S. Army Map Service, later U.S. Army Topographic Command (TOPOCOM), Special Foreign Activity during the Cold War in the 1960s to survey and map the entire country of Ethiopia, then under the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie I. Aviation support for the Army Map Service was primarily provided by the 572nd Engineer Platoon (Topographic Aviation) and civilian pilots under contract, along with some early support from the U.S. Air Force and Ethiopian Airlines. Battalion Headquarters was located in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy, and the Mapping Mission itself was headquartered in Addis Ababa, the nation's centrally located capital.[1]
The Men
Some areas of the country were accessible by motor vehicles.
Remote areas required daily helicopter support.
The topographic surveyors and their aviation support pilots and crew served on field parties that endured sweltering heat in this Sub Saharan region of Africa. They also struggled to subsist in remote areas of the country that included jungles, deserts, dense bush, mountains and swamps that harbored deadly snakes, crocodiles, lions, leopards, hyenas, hippos, cape buffalo, elephants, wild dogs, dangerous bees and ants, aggressive tribes of baboons and sometimes hostile natives, not to mention any number of malignant diseases. In addition, these troops and their support personnel were frequently required to conduct their operations in active war zones along the Somalia and Sudan borders, where brutal wars and indiscriminate killing had been going on for years,[2] and the area of the country that is now Eritrea, where the Eritrean Liberation Front was engaged in armed struggle with imperial Ethiopian forces as part of the Eritrean War of Independence.[3] According to a country study commissioned by the U.S. Army, the Eritrean War of Independence began in 1961, and intensified in 1962 in response to Ethiopia dissolving the Eritrean-Ethiopian federation.[4] By 1965, the Ethiopian Army devoted a division to fighting the ELF insurgency, including three battalions to guard cities in Eritrea, and a counterinsurgency battalion focused on direct action.[5] The U.S. State Department also noted the effect of the increased insurgency in March of 1965, as the Ethiopian government requested an increase in security assistance aid due to the disruption caused by "Eritrean dissidence."[6]
Consequences of Armed Conflict in Ethiopia
In at least one case, a survey team was taken captive by insurgent members of the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in July 1965. [7] The team consisted of CW3 Jack Kalmbach (UH-1 pilot), Specialist 4 Ronald Dolecki (field classifier), and Habte Mesmer (Ethiopian interpreter).[8] The ELF burned the helicopter and marched the captives approximately 150 miles into Sudan.[9] After 12 days, Dolecki successfully escaped, and the other captives were eventually released.[10] The U.S. government characterized the insurgents as "well armed bandits," apparently an attempt to appease the Ethiopian government.[11] As a consequence of the attacks, the Ethiopian Army began escorting the survey teams.[12] This had already been authorized per the 1953 defense installation treaty between the U.S. and Ethiopia, which authorized the mapping survey and allowed "Ethiopian security forces" to accompany the survey teams outside of installations.[13] In October 1965, another survey team was attacked by insurgents, resulting in one Ethiopian soldier wounded and one ELF insurgent killed in action.[14]
The Methods
The aerial photography used by the Ethiopia-United States Mapping Mission was flown by the U.S. Air Force, normally at an altitude above 30,000 feet for optimum coverage. The geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the location of the aircraft (and therefore the aerial photo camera station) with respect to known stations on the ground was controlled horizontally by a system known as HIRAN (High Range Navigation Radar), a large and heavy system that required a large aircraft, such as the RB-50. High-quality horizontal geodetic control was established by the topographic surveyors on the bulky HIRAN ground stations by measuring their cardinal direction distances from nearby photo-identifiable points on which the surveyors established horizontal positions using theodolites and electronic distance meters (EDM) and triangulation and traverse techniques.
A device known as a Terrain Profile Recorder (TPR), which used the boiling point of a liquid chemical at a specific altitude and a gyroscopically stabilized radar altimeter was used to determine and maintain the altitude of the aircraft above a known elevation, such as a large body of water, while taking a series of aerial photographs that overlapped in the direction of flight and across flight lines in order to provide stereoscopic photo coverage of the entire area. Strategically located photo-identifiable points were selected in areas of overlap between photo flight lines and elevations were established on these points by the topographic surveyors using differential levelling techniques.
Wild T-2 Theodolite in the Sunset
Geographic coordinates and elevations (representing all three dimensions) were later extended by Army Map Service personnel to other strategically located points on the photos using computers and analytical methods of photogrammetric modeling. These computer-generated photo control points were then used to compile, or draw, the planimetric map to the desired scale and delineate its contours from stereo models of the photos using special stereoscopic mapping equipment. Once the map images were drawn in detail to uniform scale and made into detailed map reproducibles through photographic processes, printing plates were produced and maps were printed in volume on an offset printing press, a fast and efficient process that is still in use today.
Gravimeters, small portable units that provide measurements of the force of gravity, were also used by the surveyors to conduct gravity surveys to further understand the topography of the country and the geodetic datum.
Field classification specialists, soldiers as well as civilians from Army Map Service, were utilized to conduct research on the ground in order to provide names of cities and towns and any other prominent named features, as well as classify types of roads, buildings, hydrographic features such as lakes and rivers, and any other features to be depicted on the maps. Interpreters were used to interview local officials and residents to determine proper names, spelling and usage of features.[15]
The Maps
Satellite Map of Ethiopia
The Ethiopia-U.S. Mapping Mission was activated in July 1963 and during its lifespan involved about a thousand U.S. military and civilian personnel. It was closed out in July 1970 after its topographic surveying mission in Ethiopia was complete.[16]Photogrammetric and cartographic map finishing operations based on these surveys were subsequently completed by Army Map Service/TOPOCOM in Bethesda, Maryland.[17] The primary 1:250,000-scale map series and 1:50,000-scale maps of special interest areas that were created as a result of this operation still serve as the base maps for the country of Ethiopia, and are presently being maintained and updated by the Ethiopian Mapping Authority in Addis Ababa.[18]
Sources
^. Archived from the original on 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
^The 64th Topographic Engineer Battalion: Cold War Mapping Mission from Africa to Iran in the 1960s Merriam Press web site
^. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
^Gebru Tareke, The Ethiopian Revolution: War in the Horn of Africa (New Haven: Yale U. Press, 2009), 62
^Action Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Northern African Affairs (Newsom) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Williams), “Suggested U.S. Response to Ethiopia Government’s State of Alarm,” Washington, Mar. 15, 1965, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v24/d301.
^Cold War Mapping Mission: The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956-1970 (Bennington, VT: Merriam, 2014), 31.
^Cold War Mapping Mission: The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956-1970 (Bennington, VT: Merriam, 2014), 31.
^Cold War Mapping Mission: The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956-1970 (Bennington, VT: Merriam, 2014), 31; "Oil City Soldier Makes Dramatic Escape Through Lion Country," Oil City Derrick, Jul. 29, 1965, p.5.
^Cold War Mapping Mission: The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956-1970 (Bennington, VT: Merriam, 2014), 31.
^Art. VIII, XVII, “Utilization of Defense Installations Within Empire of Ethiopia, Agreement between the United States of American and Ethiopia,” May 22, 1953, TIAS 2964, 5 UST 749
^Cold War Mapping Mission: The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956-1970 (Bennington, VT: Merriam, 2014), 31.
^. Archived from the original on 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
^. Archived from the original on 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
^. Archived from the original on 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
External links
ETHIOPIA: The Foreign Minister's Delusion web site
Stars and Stripes Article refers to U.S. Cold War mapping of Ethiopia
Buying Maps from EMA
January 07, 2023
ethiopia, united, states, mapping, mission, ethiopia, united, states, mapping, mission, also, known, ethi, mapping, mission, operation, undertaken, united, states, army, during, 1960s, provide, date, topographic, coverage, entire, country, ethiopia, soldiers, . The Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission also known as the Ethi U S Mapping Mission was an operation undertaken by the United States Army during the 1960s to provide up to date topographic map coverage of the entire country of Ethiopia The soldiers who conducted the mapping operations on the ground during that time used the latest surveying and mapping techniques and were exposed to many hardships and dangers but they completed their mission near the end of the decade The maps that were created still serve as the base maps for the country of Ethiopia and are presently being updated and maintained by the Ethiopian Mapping Authority Ethi U S Mapping Mission Logo Contents 1 The Mission 2 The Men 2 1 Consequences of Armed Conflict in Ethiopia 3 The Methods 4 The Maps 5 Sources 6 External linksThe Mission Edit Mapping Mission Headquarters The Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission was a mission of the U S Army Corps of Engineers 64th Engineer Battalion 29th Engineer Company and U S Army Map Service later U S Army Topographic Command TOPOCOM Special Foreign Activity during the Cold War in the 1960s to survey and map the entire country of Ethiopia then under the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie I Aviation support for the Army Map Service was primarily provided by the 572nd Engineer Platoon Topographic Aviation and civilian pilots under contract along with some early support from the U S Air Force and Ethiopian Airlines Battalion Headquarters was located in Leghorn Livorno Italy and the Mapping Mission itself was headquartered in Addis Ababa the nation s centrally located capital 1 The Men Edit Some areas of the country were accessible by motor vehicles Remote areas required daily helicopter support The topographic surveyors and their aviation support pilots and crew served on field parties that endured sweltering heat in this Sub Saharan region of Africa They also struggled to subsist in remote areas of the country that included jungles deserts dense bush mountains and swamps that harbored deadly snakes crocodiles lions leopards hyenas hippos cape buffalo elephants wild dogs dangerous bees and ants aggressive tribes of baboons and sometimes hostile natives not to mention any number of malignant diseases In addition these troops and their support personnel were frequently required to conduct their operations in active war zones along the Somalia and Sudan borders where brutal wars and indiscriminate killing had been going on for years 2 and the area of the country that is now Eritrea where the Eritrean Liberation Front was engaged in armed struggle with imperial Ethiopian forces as part of the Eritrean War of Independence 3 According to a country study commissioned by the U S Army the Eritrean War of Independence began in 1961 and intensified in 1962 in response to Ethiopia dissolving the Eritrean Ethiopian federation 4 By 1965 the Ethiopian Army devoted a division to fighting the ELF insurgency including three battalions to guard cities in Eritrea and a counterinsurgency battalion focused on direct action 5 The U S State Department also noted the effect of the increased insurgency in March of 1965 as the Ethiopian government requested an increase in security assistance aid due to the disruption caused by Eritrean dissidence 6 Consequences of Armed Conflict in Ethiopia Edit In at least one case a survey team was taken captive by insurgent members of the Eritrean Liberation Front ELF in July 1965 7 The team consisted of CW3 Jack Kalmbach UH 1 pilot Specialist 4 Ronald Dolecki field classifier and Habte Mesmer Ethiopian interpreter 8 The ELF burned the helicopter and marched the captives approximately 150 miles into Sudan 9 After 12 days Dolecki successfully escaped and the other captives were eventually released 10 The U S government characterized the insurgents as well armed bandits apparently an attempt to appease the Ethiopian government 11 As a consequence of the attacks the Ethiopian Army began escorting the survey teams 12 This had already been authorized per the 1953 defense installation treaty between the U S and Ethiopia which authorized the mapping survey and allowed Ethiopian security forces to accompany the survey teams outside of installations 13 In October 1965 another survey team was attacked by insurgents resulting in one Ethiopian soldier wounded and one ELF insurgent killed in action 14 The Methods EditThe aerial photography used by the Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission was flown by the U S Air Force normally at an altitude above 30 000 feet for optimum coverage The geographic coordinates latitude and longitude of the location of the aircraft and therefore the aerial photo camera station with respect to known stations on the ground was controlled horizontally by a system known as HIRAN High Range Navigation Radar a large and heavy system that required a large aircraft such as the RB 50 High quality horizontal geodetic control was established by the topographic surveyors on the bulky HIRAN ground stations by measuring their cardinal direction distances from nearby photo identifiable points on which the surveyors established horizontal positions using theodolites and electronic distance meters EDM and triangulation and traverse techniques A device known as a Terrain Profile Recorder TPR which used the boiling point of a liquid chemical at a specific altitude and a gyroscopically stabilized radar altimeter was used to determine and maintain the altitude of the aircraft above a known elevation such as a large body of water while taking a series of aerial photographs that overlapped in the direction of flight and across flight lines in order to provide stereoscopic photo coverage of the entire area Strategically located photo identifiable points were selected in areas of overlap between photo flight lines and elevations were established on these points by the topographic surveyors using differential levelling techniques Wild T 2 Theodolite in the Sunset Geographic coordinates and elevations representing all three dimensions were later extended by Army Map Service personnel to other strategically located points on the photos using computers and analytical methods of photogrammetric modeling These computer generated photo control points were then used to compile or draw the planimetric map to the desired scale and delineate its contours from stereo models of the photos using special stereoscopic mapping equipment Once the map images were drawn in detail to uniform scale and made into detailed map reproducibles through photographic processes printing plates were produced and maps were printed in volume on an offset printing press a fast and efficient process that is still in use today Gravimeters small portable units that provide measurements of the force of gravity were also used by the surveyors to conduct gravity surveys to further understand the topography of the country and the geodetic datum Field classification specialists soldiers as well as civilians from Army Map Service were utilized to conduct research on the ground in order to provide names of cities and towns and any other prominent named features as well as classify types of roads buildings hydrographic features such as lakes and rivers and any other features to be depicted on the maps Interpreters were used to interview local officials and residents to determine proper names spelling and usage of features 15 The Maps Edit Satellite Map of Ethiopia The Ethiopia U S Mapping Mission was activated in July 1963 and during its lifespan involved about a thousand U S military and civilian personnel It was closed out in July 1970 after its topographic surveying mission in Ethiopia was complete 16 Photogrammetric and cartographic map finishing operations based on these surveys were subsequently completed by Army Map Service TOPOCOM in Bethesda Maryland 17 The primary 1 250 000 scale map series and 1 50 000 scale maps of special interest areas that were created as a result of this operation still serve as the base maps for the country of Ethiopia and are presently being maintained and updated by the Ethiopian Mapping Authority in Addis Ababa 18 Sources Edit Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission 64th Engineer Bn HQ AMS Archived from the original on 2009 09 23 Retrieved 2009 07 09 The 64th Topographic Engineer Battalion Cold War Mapping Mission from Africa to Iran in the 1960s Merriam Press web site Ethiopia Eritrea Independence War 1961 1993 Archived from the original on 2007 09 30 Retrieved 2009 07 15 Ethiopia A Country Study eds Thomas Ofcansky and LaVerle Berry Washington D C Federal Research Division Library of Congress 1993 DA Pam 550 28 p 47 https tile loc gov storage services master frd frdcstdy et ethiopiacountrys00ofca 0 ethiopiacountrys00ofca 0 pdf Gebru Tareke The Ethiopian Revolution War in the Horn of Africa New Haven Yale U Press 2009 62 Action Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Northern African Affairs Newsom to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Williams Suggested U S Response to Ethiopia Government s State of Alarm Washington Mar 15 1965 https history state gov historicaldocuments frus1964 68v24 d301 Cold War Mapping Mission The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956 1970 Bennington VT Merriam 2014 31 Cold War Mapping Mission The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956 1970 Bennington VT Merriam 2014 31 Press Release Van Hollen Urges Army Secretary to Recognize Maryland Veteran with POW Medal Dec 8 2020 https www vanhollen senate gov news press releases van hollen urges army secretary to recognize maryland veteran with pow medal Press Release Van Hollen Urges Army Secretary to Recognize Maryland Veteran with POW Medal Dec 8 2020 https www vanhollen senate gov news press releases van hollen urges army secretary to recognize maryland veteran with pow medal Cold War Mapping Mission The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956 1970 Bennington VT Merriam 2014 31 Oil City Soldier Makes Dramatic Escape Through Lion Country Oil City Derrick Jul 29 1965 p 5 Cold War Mapping Mission The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956 1970 Bennington VT Merriam 2014 31 Art VIII XVII Utilization of Defense Installations Within Empire of Ethiopia Agreement between the United States of American and Ethiopia May 22 1953 TIAS 2964 5 UST 749 Cold War Mapping Mission The 329th Geodetic Detachment and the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion 1956 1970 Bennington VT Merriam 2014 31 Ethiopia U S Mapping Mission Making Topographic Maps by Mr David P Moore Archived from the original on 2010 09 22 Retrieved 2009 07 15 Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission Headquarters Archived from the original on 2009 03 23 Retrieved 2009 07 30 Ethiopia U S Mapping Mission Making Topographic Maps Archived from the original on 2010 09 22 Retrieved 2009 07 15 Ethiopian Mapping Authority web site Archived from the original on 2012 01 22 Retrieved 2012 02 12 External links EditGeoinfo United Nations Economic Commission for Africa web site Ethiopia EMA ETHIOPIA The Foreign Minister s Delusion web site Project King s Ransom Project web site ETHIOPIA TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS Archived 2012 02 18 at the Wayback Machine East View Cartographic web site Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission Stars and Stripes Article refers to U S Cold War mapping of Ethiopia Buying Maps from EMA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ethiopia United States Mapping Mission amp oldid 1121759567, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
