17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group

Background
The U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS) served in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II flying the B-25 Mitchell. Originally designated the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment). Also known as the 17th Tac Recon Squadron or 17th Tac Recon.

Wartime History
During early 1944, sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) as the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) and redesignated 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment).

On February 25, 1944 on a patrol B-25D "Mitch The Witch" 42-87293 piloted by Captain Bert Sill over the Bismarck Sea flying at 3,000' near Kavieng encountered a Ki-21 Sally flying southeast towards Rabaul and engaged in an aerial gun battle with the enemy bomber and shot it down. A series of photographs show the bomber in flight have been highly reproduced.

On May 25, 1944 the air echelon moves to Wakde.

On June 8, 1944 ten B-25 took off on Mission #160 B-310 led by Commanding Officer (C. O.) Major William G. Tennille, Jr. to attack a Japanese force of two cruisers and six destroyers bound for Biak. During the Battle of Cape Waios the B-25s attack at low level, destroyer Harusame sustained two direct bomb hits and sank. Anti-aircraft fire shot down B-25D pilot Tennille (MIA), B-25D pilot Wood (MIA) and B-25D pilot Lind (MIA). The bombers claimed hits on claimed hits on four destroyers, but only Harusame was hit and sunk.

On June 10, 1944 the air echelon returns to Finschhafen. On June 27, 1944 air echelon moves to Biak with the ground echelon following three days later.

On October 21, 1944 the ground echelon begins a movement to Leyte while the air echelon continues to fly mission from Biak. On November 2, 1944 the air echelon arrives at Tacloban on Leyte.

On December 23, 1944 the air echelon moves to San Jose on Mindoro. On April 4, 1945 moves to Lingayen on Luzon.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages XXX [PDF pages XXX]
Rocky Boyer's War: An Unvarnished History of the Air Blitz that Won the War in the Southwest Pacific (2017) by Allen D. Boyer

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