The idea of employing aerial photogrammetry as a system of information capture in China originated with a group of Austrian consultants to the hydraulic engineering authority of Zhejiang province in Hang-Chou. The first aerial survey took place on 2nd June 1931 and the project was completed in 1933. For China that was the beginning of aerial photography and photogrammetry.

Hansa Luftbild wasn’t only active in China. Aerial flight missions were carried out over Greenland (1932) and the icy expanses of the Antarctica (1938-1939) in addition to many other international operations. These missions had the character of an expedition, and furthered Hansa Luftbild’s international reputation. Traces of these early expeditions are still discernible: Gessner peak named after Hansa Luftbild’s first director, or the Bundermann mountain chain named after Max Bundermann, a Hansa Luftbild surveyor and photographer.

Without aircraft, there are no aerial photos. The first aerial photos emerged during World War I and were almost exclusively used for military purposes. During the 30’s Hansa Luftbild mostly flew Junkers W 33 and Messerschmitt M 18.