The 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (USAAF) in Australia

 

8PRS F-4 41-2217 over Moreton Bay
 
Although obviously not an Australian squadron, the 8th PRS features prominently in the history of Australian Lockheed F-4 Lightning operations, as it was this squadron which supplied all of the F-4s operated by the RAAF at various times. For this reason, a brief history of the 8PRS in Australia has been included on this website.

 

8 PRS CHRONOLOGY

23DEC41 Formation authorised
19JAN42 Constituted as 8th Photographic Squadron
01FEB42 Activated at March Field, California
19MAR42 "A" Flight sailed for Australia on S.S. "President Coolidge"
07APR42 Arrived Camp Pell, Melbourne
24APR42 Departed for Camp Doomben, Brisbane
APR/MAY42 Became operational with four (4) aircraft
02MAY42 Departed Camp Doomben, Brisbane for Townsville
09JUN42 Redesignated 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
16JUL42 "B" and "C" Flights arrived in Melbourne on the S.S. "Matsonia" and encamped at Camp Murphy
27JUL42 "B" and "C" Flights joined "A" Flight at Townsville
12AUG42 Four (4) F-4 received at CAC, Melbourne
19AUG42 Five (5) F-4 received at CAC, Melbourne
05SEP42 An advance party left for Port Moresby followed by the rest of the squadron a few weeks later. The squadron was based at Schwimmer Drome (17 Mile).
05JAN44 Moved to Durand Drome (14 Mile)
16MAR44 Moved to Nadzab, Lae

 

8 PRS LOCKHEED F-4 LIGHTNINGS

The following listing does not pretend to be complete. It has been compiled from the 8PRS diary which forms the basis of the book "The Eight Ballers" (see Sources). Any additions will be gratefully received.

SERIAL

SQN #

NAME

REMARKS

41-2098
-
-

Crashed 14SEP42, Condemned 31OCT44, SOC 09JAN45

41-2122

22

 -

Crashed 05DEC43

41-2123

23

Fainting Floozie II

Crashed 28NOV42

41-2125

25

 -

Crashed 27JUL42. Condemned 31OCT44

41-2126

-

 -

Condemned 31OCT44

41-2127
-
-

-

41-2130

30

Malaria Mabel

 Condemned in Australia 09MAY44

41-2134

34

Eager Beaver II

 -

41-2137

37

Hellapoppin Hepcat

Converted to two seater. MIA 28JUN43

41-2139
-

Pouting Peggy

aka “Doris”. Salvaged 26SEP44

41-2140
-
- MIA 16MAR43

41-2144
-
- Condemned 08FEB44

41-2156

56

Limping Lizzie

aka “Leaping Lizzie”. Condemned 26APR44 

41-2177

77

Dotin’ Donna

Crashed 21MAY43. Condemned 31OCT44

41-2193

93

 - -

41-2209
-

Alice the Goon

Crashed 30DEC43

41-2214
-
- -

41-2217

17

 - Salvaged in Australia 26SEP44

41-2220

220

 -

Delivered to  8PRS 21DEC42

41-2325
-
- -

41-2381

81

 - -

?
-

Baker’s Bastard

 -

?
-

Lackagas 37

41-2137 has another name

?
-

Map! Happy Pappy

 -

?
-

Photo Joe

 -

 

 

8 PRS F-4 LOSSES

The following listing does not pretend to be complete. It has been compiled from the 8PRS diary which forms the basis of the book "The Eight Ballers" (see Sources). Any additions will be gratefully received.

AIRCRAFT

DATE

LOCATION

PILOT

?

02MAY42

Lae

Capt Louis J. Connelly (MIA)

41-2125

27JUL42

Misiama Island

Lt Paul Staller (killed)

41-2098

14SEP42

North East New Guinea

Lt Peterson (MIA)

41-2123

28NOV42

Near 12 Mile

Lt Phillip D. Lissner (killed)

41-2177

21MAY43

Between Wau and Nassau Bay

Robert M Blackard (MIA)
?

05JUN43

Northern New Britain

1st Lt Fred Hargesheimer
?

20JUN43

Wide Bay (New Britain)

Major Art Post
?

31JUL43

Markham Valley NW of Nadzab

Lt LeGrand Kneeskren

41-2122

05DEC43

Near Hood Point

F/O Fred Cross (killed)

41-2209

30DEC43

Coral Sea

Charles K Erb (MIA)

 

SOURCES


"The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force"
by John Stanaway and Bob Rocker (Schiffer Books 1999).


Thanks also to:

Lawrence Packard

Terry Geary

The 8PRS patch appears thanks to Bill Hilliard and

Peter Dunn's "Australia @ War" web site www.ozatwar.com

 


Issue Date Remarks
2 10JUN06
Table of 8PRS aircraft revised thanks to input from Gordon Birkett. Update includes the addition of two aircraft, 41-2126 & 41-2144.
1 08DEC04
Original issue.



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