Clarence Shoop
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
June 5, 1944 Was assigned to the group as commanding officer.
AM/ DFC/ Croix de Guerre w/ palm
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Group
Based for the majority of their service at Mount Farm, Oxfordshire, the 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) took over three million intelligence photos during the course of 4,251 sorties over occupied Europe. The Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for photo sorties over the Normandy coast between 31 May and 30 June 1944, which were a crucial part of the preparation for the land invasion that began on 6 June 1944.
Constituted as 7th Photographic Group on 5 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Redesignated 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group in May 1943, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) in Nov 1943, and 7th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to England on 7 Jul 1943 and assigned to Eighth AF. Used Spitfires and L-5’s to obtain information about bombardment targets and damage inflicted by bombardment operations; provide mapping service for air and ground units; observe and report on enemy transportation, installations, and positions; and obtain data on weather conditions. Prior to Jun 1944, photographed airfields, cities, industrial establishments, and ports in France, the Low Countries, and Germany. Received a DUC for operations during the period, 31 May-30 Jun 1944, when its coverage of bridges, marshaling yards, canals, highways, rivers, and other targets contributed much to the success of the Normandy campaign. Covered missile sites in France during Jul, and in Aug carried out photographic mapping missions for ground forces advancing across France. Provided reconnaissance support for the airborne attack on Holland in Sep and for the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Used P-51’s to escort its own reconnaissance planes during the last months of the war as the group supported the Allied drive across the Rhine and into Germany. Took part in the final bomb damage assessment following V-E Day. Inactivated in England on 21 Nov 1945. Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947.
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
June 5, 1944 Was assigned to the group as commanding officer.
AM/ DFC/ Croix de Guerre w/ palm
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
7th PRG Commander 1945
Military | Colonel | Pilot; Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
3rd youngest Combat Commander of a Group in WWII at age 25 years. Advanced from Aviation Cadet to Lt. Col from 14 February 1942 to 8 February 1944--6 days less than 2 yrs. A record for Flying School Class - 42 B
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Military | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
C/O of 7th PRG from September to December 1943.
Military | Major | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
August 19 1944 earned Silver Star for outstanding achievement.
SS/ AM w/ Oak Leaf Cluster
Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
See the book 'The Eyes of the Eighth' by Patricia Keen in which there are some 20 references to Hall. Also 9 pictures
ETO Ribbon, Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross
Military | Colonel | Pilot - Group Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
DFC
Military | Brigadier General | Commanding Officer | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Commander of 7th PRG 1943
Command
Wing
8 Reconnaissance Wing (P) established by 8th Air Force order No. 69 on 19 February 1944 and headquarters established at AAF Station 113 Cheddington on 23 February 1944.
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15 July 1943
2 F-5s from 13th Photographic Squadron are despatched on photographic reconnaissance sorties over central France.
16 July 1943
1 F-5 from 13th Photographic Squadron is despatched on a meteorologic flight over central France.
23 July 1943
1 F-5 from 7th Photographic Group is depatched on a meteorological sortie to Rouen, France.
24 July 1943
1 F-5 from 7th Photographic Group is despatched on a meterolgical sortie to Rouen, France.
25 July 1943
2 F-5s from 7th Photographic Group are despatched on photographic reconnaissance sorties over France.
26 July 1943
5 F-5s from 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group are despatched on photo reconnaissance sorties along the French-Channel coast.
28 July 1943
1 F-5 from 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group is despatched on a phote reconnaissance sortie along the French-Channel coast.
29 July 1943
4 F-5s from 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group are despatched on photo reconnaissance sorties over France.
31 July 1943
1 F-5 from 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group is despatched on a photographic reconnaissance sortie over France.
8 August 1943
Two operations are included: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group despatches 4 F-5s on phot reconnaissance sorties over France. No losses or claims.
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Station | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
Constituted as 7th Photographic Group. | 5 February 1943 | |
Redesignated as as 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group. | May 1943 | |
Activated | 1 May 1943 | |
Based | Mount Farm | 7 July 1943 – 22 March 1945 |
Redesignated as 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) | November 1943 | |
Based | Chalgrove | 22 March 1945 – 25 October 1945 |
Redesignated as 7th Reconnaissance Group | June 1945 | |
Based | Hitcham | 25 October 1945 – 21 November 1945 |
Military | Corporal | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Assigned to 381 Serv Sqn, 7PRG, 8AF USAAF.
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | Colonel | Pilot/Squadron Commander | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | Sergeant | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Military | 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
B-26 Marauder
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning 42-12775, 13th PRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF, lost on photo recon mission from Mount Farm to Antwerp, missing 4th April 1943 near Antwerp, Belgium, presumed down in the North Sea. Pilot Jack R Campbell MIA/KIA. MACR 15.
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F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
F-5 Lightning
Lockheed F-5 Lightning 42-12981 of the 14th PRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF. Departed Mount farm with pilot Capt Robert R Nelson and Capt Cassaday on a photo-recce operation of marshalling yards at Hasselt, Belgium. Nelson was shot down by the Flak placed on the...
Distinguished Unit Citation, France 31 May- 30 June 1944
Date | Contributor | Update |
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22 August 2019 09:13:12 | Emily | Changes to insignia, us air force combat units of world war ii description, citations and commanding officers associations |
Sources | ||
Air Force Combat Units of WWII |
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Date | Contributor | Update |
21 September 2016 12:03:36 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to us air force combat units of world war ii description and stations |
Sources | ||
Consolidation of duplicate units and connections to reflect the Group's structure according to "Air Force Combat Units of World War 2", Ed. Maurer Maurer, Office of Air Force History. Washingto D.C. 1983. (p.45) |
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Date | Contributor | Update |
15 December 2014 17:51:39 | 466thHistorian | Changes to type, air forces and aircraft types |
Sources | ||
Chris Brassfield |
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Date | Contributor | Update |
15 December 2014 17:48:18 | 466thHistorian | Changes to unit part of associations, unit encompassing associations, commanding officers associations and stations |
Sources | ||
"Eyes of the Eighth" - Patricia Fussell Keen |
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Date | Contributor | Update |
27 September 2014 18:42:46 | AAM | AAM ingest |
Sources | ||
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). |