6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)
The U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG) operated in the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II including the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS), 20th Combat Mapping Squadron (CMS) and 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (26th PRS).
During January 1943, Colonel Hutchison was assigned to the 6th PRG as deputy chief of staff of operations and became Commanding Officer (C. O.) March 13-24, 1943. Afterwards, he became the commander of the Second Task Force and commander of the 308th Bomb Wing (308th BW). On November 27, 1943 headquarters moves from Sydney to Brisbane.
On August 5, 1944 Headquarters, 6th PRS moved from Nadzab Airfield to Hollandia.
8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS)
Also known as the 8th Photo Recon Squadron or 8th Photo Recon. Nicknamed "Eight Ballers". Initially equipped with the F-4 Lightning, the photographic reconnaissance version of the P-38E Lightning, with cameras installed in the nose compartment instead of armament and later the F-5 Lightning 1943-1945.
20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS)
Equipped with the F-7 Liberator, the photographic reconnaissance version of the B-24J Liberator 1943-1945.
25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (25th PRS)
Equipped with the F-5 Lighting
the photographic reconnaissance version of the P-38 Lightning 1943-1945.
26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (26th PRS)
Equipped with the F-5 Lighting
the photographic reconnaissance version of the P-38 Lightning 1943-1945.
36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (36th PRS)
Equipped with the F-5 Lighting
the photographic reconnaissance version of the P-38 Lightning 1944-1945.
Stations
Colorado Springs, CO February - 7 September 1943
Sydney, Australia 10 October 1943
Brisbane, Australia 27 November 1943
Port Moresby, New Guinea 10 December 1943
Nadzab, New Guinea 17 February 1944
Biak August 1944
Leyte 3 November 1944
Clark Field, Luzon 1 May 1945
Okinawa 31 July 1945
Chofu Airfield, (September 27, 1945–January 1946)
Irumagawa Airfield (January 1945–April 27, 1946)
6th PRG Commanding Officers (C. O.)
Lt Col Waymond A. Davis (February 9, 1943–February 27, 1943)
Maj Cecil Darnell (February 27, 1943–March 13, 1943)
Col David W. Hutchison (March 13, 1943–March 24, 1943)
Lt Col Cecil Darnell (March 24, 1943–July 24, 1944)
Maj Arthur L. Post (July 24, 1944–August 25, 1944 killed piloting F-5A Lightning 42-13093)
Lt Col Alexander Guerry (August 25, 1944–September 1, 1944)
Lt Col Ben K Armstrong Jr. (January 5, 1945–May 31,1945)
Lt Col Joseph Davis Jr. (May 31, 1945–unknown)
References
The Eight Ballers - Eyes of the Fifth Air Force The 8th Photo Reconnaissance Sqn in WWII (1999) by John Stanaway and Robert Rocker
6th Photographic Group ( Reconnaissance)
Thanks to John Stanaway, Robert Rocker and Edward Rogers for additional information
|