Aerial Reconnaissance

[Patrick Brion]

Hi,

I would like to share some thought about allied aerial reconnaissance.

I have a number of aerial sorties with the following number:

106 G 2160
106 G 2256
106 G 3953
15 PG 4161
US 31 5252
US 31 4710
US 31 4716
US 31 4843
106 G 4918

My question : I guess the US, means United States, so this was probably a US flown recce mission. The 106 means what unit? Who were the US recce airforce units?

Greetz,

Patrick

[Laurent Rizzotti]

There was a 15th Photographic Recon Sqn, flying with the 3rd Photographic Recon Group (PRG) in the Med in 42-44, then moving to the 5th PRG in the same area.

There was also a 106th PRS but I can't find a proof it left the USA during the war. It seems to me it was a part of the IX Air Force (tactical support in NW Europe).

A 31st PRS was also active with the IX Air Force in 1944-45.

[Patrick Brion]

Hi Laurent,

Although I work in the army, this entire PRU stuff doesn't seem to be clear to me. I've just mailed a request to the RAF History board. I would like to try and reconstruct those units that were involved in the aerial recce of the "REIMAHG".

Do you know some sources (especially air force) where I could ask. At NARA, they might certainly have stuff, but I would like to work faster and directer with those people involved.

Regards,

Patrick

[Patrick Brion]

Laurent,

Sorry, unthoughtfull of me. Thank you for the information !

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Patrick,

Check out this link

http://armyairforces.com/dbunitsearch.asp

Just type in the number of the Sqn or Group you are interested in.

ie type 106 in the Sqn field.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Chris Going]

Patrick,

You have imagery from four sorties flown by 106 Group, RAF Coastal Command. The sequence of numbers you cite comes from a long run begun in the early summer of 1944 and running up to Sortie 106G/5450 (or thereabouts) on or around May 6th 1945. Your 106G/2160 would have been flown c 11th August 1944; 106G/2260 about 14th August 1944; 106G/3953 some time in November 1944, while 106G/4918 will have been flown some time around March 12th March 1945.

The US31 designator 4710, 4716, 4843 and 5252 are, as surmised, US sorties, while the 15PG designator is a Mediterranean cover.

If you have these sets as complete sorties you will have several hundred photographs. Note the camera designations on the bottom left hand side of the prints: 3XXX for Port, 4xxx for starboard. 7xxx for the area collectors. Do you have further data written on them? Where did they come from?

Best

Chris Going