World War II 14th Fighter Squadron

supermarine spitfire pr.xi in squadron markings

the squadron first activated @ colorado springs, colorado in june 1942 14th photographic reconnaissance squadron, although more month before moved nearby peterson field , began training lockheed f-4 lightnings under 3d photographic group. in august 1942, 3d group moved england. squadron remained assigned 3d, remained in colorado, attached second air force. in july 1943, squadron assigned 7th photographic reconnaissance , mapping group , moved on paper 7th group england. 7th group drew on 13th photographic squadron, flying lightnings in england cadre. 14th squadron began train supermarine spitfire mk. v fighters in july 1943 before equipping photographic reconnaissance mk. xi version of spitfire in late summer.

the 14th flew combat reconnaissance missions in european theater of operations 12 august 1943 until 25 april 1945. squadron s spitfires flew majority of target photography missions (including first spitfire reconnaissance mission on berlin in march 1944), while other squadrons of 7th, equipped lightnings, concentrated on photographic mapping. squadron deep penetration missions included reconnaissance of oil refineries determine when repairs had been performed justify returning them eighth air force s target list. earned distinguished unit citation reconnaissance missions flown on france between 31 may 1944 , end of june. squadron flew on 300 successful sorties support operation overlord, invasion of normandy. flew missions on netherlands support operation market garden in october 1944 , conducted damage assessment of germany until 23 july 1945. in late 1944, squadron s unarmed aircraft, flying themselves, began prove vulnerable jet powered messerschmitt me 262s entering service luftwaffe. squadron aircraft lost on 5 september 1944 first army air forces loss german jet fighter. unit turned aircraft in depots during late summer , fall of 1945. squadron personnel returned united states , unit inactivated @ port of embarkation in december 1945