Constituted as 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group on 15 Sep
1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained to provide photographic
intelligence for air
and ground forces. Moved to India, Feb-Mar 1944.
Equipped with F-5, F-6,
F-7, and P-40 aircraft. Conducted photographic
reconnaissance, photographic
mapping, and visual-reconnaissance
missions. Produced maps, mosaics, terrain
models, and target charts of
areas in Burma, China, French Indochina, and
Thailand. Also bombed and
strafed enemy installations and provided escort for
bombardment units.
Redesignated 8th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945.
Returned to the US,
Oct-Nov 1945. Inactivated on 5 Nov 1945. Disbanded on 6
Mar 1947.
Squadrons. 9th: 1944-1945. 20th: 1944-1945. 24th: 1944-1945.
40th:
1944-1945.
Stations. Peterson Field, Colo, 1 Oct 1943; Gainesville AAFld, Tex,
26
Oct 1943-12 Feb 1944; Bally, India, 31 Mar 1944-7 Oct 1945; Camp
Kilmer, NJ,
3-5 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Lt Col Paul A Zartman, 1 Oct 1943; Col Charles P
Hollstein,
12 Dec 1943; Col James W Anderson Jr, 24 Jan 1945; Lt Col
John R Gee, Oct
1945-c. 5 Nov 1945.
Campaigns. India-Burma; China Defensive; Central Burma.
Decorations. None. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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