22nd Reconnaissance Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 22nd Reconnaissance Squadron was a part of the 8th Air Force 7th Photographic Group
that was activated in 1942 and based at Mount Farm
England between 1943 and 1945.
.
airfield on 8 June 1943. The unit was equipped with Lockheed F-5 (P-38) Lightning
photographic aircraft and the first mission was flown on 24 June 1943. The 22nd Reconnaissance Squadron was combined with the 13th Photographic Squadron and 14th Photographic Squadron, into the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group
that was activated on 7 July 1943.
In 1943, the 22nd was among the squadrons flying the first photoreconnaissance missions against Peenemünde
.
During August and September 1945, personnel were transferred out of the 22nd squadron, some returning to the United States and others assigned to the Occupation Forces in Germany.
7th Reconnaissance Group
The 7th Reconnaissance Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe at the Hitcham Air Depot, England...
that was activated in 1942 and based at Mount Farm
RAF Mount Farm
RAF Mount Farm is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located three miles north of Dorchester, Oxfordshire.-USAAF use:Mount Farm was originally a satellite airfield for the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson. The airfield was originally a grass field, but...
England between 1943 and 1945.
Peterson Field
The unit was constituted by general orders on 14 July 1942 and activated on 2 September 1944 at was later to be known as Peterson Field in Colorado Springs as part of the 5th Photographic Group. The outfit existed essentially on paper until 21 December 1943 when 12 officers and 129 enlisted men were transferred from the 10th Photographic Reconnaissance and Training Squadron. The commanding officer was Capt. George A. Lawson. The Squadron left Colorado Springs on 17 May 1943 and traveled to England aboard the RMS Queen MaryRMS Queen Mary
RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that sailed primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line...
.
Mount Farm
The Squadron arrived at the RAF Mount FarmRAF Mount Farm
RAF Mount Farm is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located three miles north of Dorchester, Oxfordshire.-USAAF use:Mount Farm was originally a satellite airfield for the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson. The airfield was originally a grass field, but...
airfield on 8 June 1943. The unit was equipped with Lockheed F-5 (P-38) Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
photographic aircraft and the first mission was flown on 24 June 1943. The 22nd Reconnaissance Squadron was combined with the 13th Photographic Squadron and 14th Photographic Squadron, into the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group
7th Reconnaissance Group
The 7th Reconnaissance Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe at the Hitcham Air Depot, England...
that was activated on 7 July 1943.
In 1943, the 22nd was among the squadrons flying the first photoreconnaissance missions against Peenemünde
Bombing of Peenemünde in World War II
Operation Hydra was a Royal Air Force attack on the Peenemünde Army Research Center on the night of 17/18 August 1943. It began the Operation Crossbow strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany's V-weapon programme...
.
During August and September 1945, personnel were transferred out of the 22nd squadron, some returning to the United States and others assigned to the Occupation Forces in Germany.