33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron

Squadron
Airmen of the 33rd Photographic Squadron (Reconnaissance) with an F-5 Lightning. media-456794.jpg FRE 10061 Airmen of the 33rd Photographic Squadron (Reconnaissance) with F-5B Lightning serial 42-68211. Roger Freeman Collection

Radio call number visible on vertical fin.

Object Number - FRE 10061 - Airmen of the 33rd Photographic Squadron (Reconnaissance) with F-5B Lightning serial 42-68211.

While serving as part of the 9th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations, the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron was at various times part of three groups:



10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)

67th Reconnaissance Group

363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group



Each group was part of a different tactical air command (TAC): IX TAC, XIX TAC, and XXIX TAC. The periodic reorganizations of these groups reflected both the growing responsibility of the 9th Air Force as well as evolving military doctrines of how best to coordinate the resources of unarmed photo reconnaissance squadrons, armed tactical reconnaissance squadrons, and night photo recon squadrons.



Photo recon squadrons like the 33rd PRS flew the F-4/F-5 adaptation of Lockheed's P-38 Lightning fighter.



While serving with these groups, the 33rd PRS officially participated in the following campaigns:



Air Offensive, Europe, July 4, 1942 to June 5, 1944

Normandy, June 6, 1944 to July 24, 1944

Northern France, July 25, 1944 to September 14, 1944

Rhineland, September 15, 1944 to March 21, 1945

Ardennes-Alsace, December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945

Central Europe, March 22, 1945 to May 11, 1945



33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Online

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Chalgrove 27 April 1944

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14165795
  • Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: F-5 Lightning
  • Unit: 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
F-5E-2-LO s/n 43-28609
  • Aircraft Type: F-5 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Lacivious Lady
  • Unit: 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorpapawmik
Changes
Sources

Photograph provided by the brother of Capt. Robert H. Adams of Independence, MO, John T. Adams, member of this organization.

Date
Changes
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.50)

Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: Gallery (3 items)