General Eakers', c 1944

General Eakers', c 1944. A Kodachrome colour photograph of Lieutenant General Ira Eakers (died 1987) of the United States Air Force, taken by JCA Redhead (1886-1954) during World War Two. A pioneer aviator and test pilot, Eakers had first trained as a pilot during World War One. In World War Two he commanded the United States Eighth Air Force, later taking over as commander of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. This photograph is a Kodachrome transparency. Introduced by Kodak in 1935, Kodachrome is regarded as the first 'modern' colour photographic process. Kodachrome film was imported into Britain from the USA and was in very short supply during World War Two. As Head of Kodak Ltd's Photo Finishing department in Harrow, England, Redhead had access to supplies of this scarce colour film. ©SSPL/NMeM/Kodak Collection