6th Reconnaissance Group

The 6th Reconnaissance Group is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with Fifth Air Force, stationed at Irumagawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 27 April 1946.

During World War II, the group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater and used F-5's and F-7's to photograph Japanese airfields, harbors, beach defenses, and personnel areas in New Guinea, the Bismarcks, Borneo, and the southern Philippines. Reconnoitered target areas and enemy troop positions to provide intelligence for air force and army units. Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for unescorted flights to Leyte during September 1944 when in a minimum period of time the group obtained information about Japanese defenses, such information being necessary for planning the amphibious assault on the Philippines.

After moving to the Philippines in November 1944, flew missions to Formosa and China, engaged in mapping parts of Luzon and Mindanao, and provided intelligence for US ground forces concerning Japanese movements. Moved to Okinawa in July 1945 and flew some missions over Kyūshū before the war ended.

History

Lineage

• Constituted as 6th Photographic Group on 5 February 1943 and activated on 9 February

Redesignated: 6th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group in May 1943

Redesignated: 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group in August 1943

Redesignated: 6th Reconnaissance Group in May 1945

Inactivated on 27 April 1946

Disbanded on 6 March 1947.

Assignments

• Second Air Force, 9 February–September 1943
• V Bomber Command, 10 October 1943
• 5212th Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional), 1 March 1944
• 91st Reconnaissance Wing, 12 April 1944
• Fifth Air Force, 10 November 1945 – 27 April 1946

Stations

Headquarters and Ground Echelon:

(Air Echelon deployed at stations throughout Southwest Pacific)

Units assigned

• 8th Reconnaissance Squadron: 13 November 1943 – 27 April 1946

Attached to: V Bomber Command, 10 December 1945 – 27 April 1946

Aircraft: P-38 (F-4/F-5), 1943–1946; B-26 (F-6), 1943–1944

• 20th Reconnaissance Squadron: 17 June-5 December 1943 (attached); 5 December 1943 – 10 November 1945

Aircraft: B-24 (F-7), 1943–1946

• 25th Reconnaissance Squadron: 9 February 1943 – 27 April 1946

Detached to: V Fighter Command, 10 February 1946

Aircraft: P-38 (F-5), 1943–1945; B-25, 1944

• 26th Reconnaissance Squadron: 9 February 1943—21 November 1945

Detached to: 308th Bombardment Wing, 22 October-21 November 1945

Aircraft: P-38 (F-4), 1943 P-38 (F-5), 1944–1945

• 27th Reconnaissance Squadron: 9 February-9 October 1943

Aircraft: P-38 (F-4), 1943

• 36th Reconnaissance Squadron: 23 December 1944 – 20 October 1945

Aircraft: P-38 (F-4), 1944–1945

See also

• United States Army Air Forces in Australia

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
• Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5

External links