110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group | 5th AAF | theater-made patch

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110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group | 5th AAF

LINEAGE. Redesignated: 110th Observation Squadron (Light) on 13 Jan 1942; 110th Observation Squadron on 4 Ju1 1942; 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 Apr 1943; 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 10 May 1944. Inactivated on 20 Feb 1946.

ASSIGNMENTS. 71st Observation (later Reconnaissance; Tactical Reconnaissance; Reconnaissance) Group, 1 Oct 1941.

STATIONS. Salinas AAB, Calif, 22 Dec 1941; Esler Field, La, 28 Jan 1943; Laurel AAFld, Miss, 1 Apr-20 Oct 1943; Brisbane, Australia, 5 Dec 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 21 Dec 1943 (flight operated from Gusap, New Guinea, after 20 Jan 1944); Gusap, New Guinea, 7 Feb 1944 (operated from Tadji, New Guinea, after 25 May 1944)* ; Tadji, New Guinea, 5 Jun 1944; Biak, 11 Sep 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 3 Nov 1944-4 Jan 1945 (operated primarily from Tacloban, Leyte, to 24 Dec 1944, and from San Jose, Mindoro, 25 Dec 1944-22 Jan 1945); Lingayen, Luzon, 20 Jan 1945; Ie Shima, c. 28 Jul 1945.

 

* As the 71st Group moved north along the coast, the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was based at Tadji. Tadji was east of Hollandia; Allied forces had landed there in late April to secure the eastern flank of the move against Hollandia. It was an RAAF airbase; and from May 25, 1944, the 110th TRS flew from there. In May 1944, it became clear: capturing Hollandia had been a brilliant strategic move, but Hollandia would never make an American air base. The airfields at Hollandia were overshadowed by the Cyclops Mountains, a ridge that topped 6,500 feet, forcing bombers to climb too quickly. The existing Japanese airstrips were inadequate for American warplanes, so they were paved.

AIRCRAFT. In addition to P-39, 1942-1943, and B-25, 1943; evidently included A-20 and P-40 during period 1942-1943; P-39, 1944; P-40, 1944-1945; P-51/F-6, 1943-1945, included A-36, 1943-1945; UC-64, 1945; L-5, 1945.

OPERATIONS. Antisubmarine patrols, 23 Dec 1941-16 Aug 1942; combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, c. 21 Jan 1944-14 Aug 1945.

CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; New Guinea; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Moved to the Southwest Pacific, Sep-Nov 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF. Based on New Guinea and Biak, flew reconnaissance missions over New Guinea, New Britain, and the Admiralties to provide target and damage-assessment photographs for air force units, Also bombed and strafed Japanese installations, airfields, and shipping; supported Allied forces on New Guinea and Biak; flew courier missions; participated in rescue operations; and hauled passengers and cargo. Moved to the Philippines in Nov 1944.

 

Flew reconnaissance missions over Luzon to provide information for US forces as to Japanese troop movements, gun positions, and supply routes. Also supported ground forces on Luzon, photographed and bombed airfields in Formosa and China, and attacked enemy shipping off the Asiatic coast. Maj William A Shomo was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on 11 Jan 1945: sighting a formation of thirteen Japanese aircraft while leading 3 two-plane flight, Maj Shomo attacked the superior enemy force and destroyed seven planes. After moving to Ie Shima in Aug 1945, the group attacked transportation targets on Kyushu and flew over southern Japan to locate prisoner of war camps, to assess bomb damage, and to obtain 1nformation on Japanese military movements. Moved to Japan in Oct 1945.

 

 

Chainstitch embroidery on satin.

 

 

 

In late 1944 the 110th TRS became known as the "Musketeers", creating this logo. The blazon under which the 110th TRS finished the war (likely the brainchild of new CO Rubel Archuleta, who may have thought it more dashing than the engoggled Missouri mule of the pre-war 110th).

 

 

 

 

Printed on leather.

 

 

 

 

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Musketeers logo on fuselage).

 

 

Headquarters at Binmaley, outside Lingayen (1945).

 

F-6D Mustangs of 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron rest in the shadow of the volcanic cone on Ie Shima 12 August 1945, a week before the arrival of the white-painted BETTY bombers on the small island. (US Army via Mr. John Donis)

 

 

A photo-reconnaissance variant of the P-40N Warhawk assigned to the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron takes off from a steel runway on an island in the southwest Pacific, 1944-45.

 

At war's end, on Ie Shima, men of the 110th TRS gathered with a signboard scorecard, in front of the squadron's P-51's.

 

 

The 110th's end-of-the-war scorecard: Ie Shima, in the fall of 1945.

 

 

References:

Boyer, Allen D. Rocky Boyer’s War: An Unvarnished History Of The Air Blitz That Won The War In The Southwest Pacific.

Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II.

Maurer. Combat Units of the Air Force World War II.

 

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110th trs 71st trg 5th aaf