20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS) "Flying Dumbos"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group

Background
On July 14, 1942 constituted as the 20th Photographic Mapping Squadron. On July 23, 1942 activated at Colorado Springs, Colorado assigned to the 4th Photographic Group (4th PG), attached to the 6th Photographic Group (6th PG) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On February 6, 1943 redesignated as 20th Photographic Squadron (Heavy). On August 11, 1943 redesignated 20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS). Equipped with the F-7 photographic reconnaissance version of the B-24J Liberator. Nicknamed "Flying Dumbos".


On October 10, 1943 the ground echelon arrives at Sydney. Meanwhile the air echelon moved to Will Rogers Field in in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma then flew overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Brisbane arriving November 23, 1943. This was the first multi-engine reconnaissance squadron assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF). On December 1, 1943 moves to Port Moresby in New Guinea. On December 5, 1943 assigned to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG).

On February 14, 1944 the squadron moves to Nadzab Airfield (Nadzab No. 1 Strip) on the north coast of New Guinea.

On April 1, 1944 a F-7 Liberator from the squadron photographs the Finschafen area. On April 5, 1944 the unit flies their first combat photographic reconnaissance missions.

On April 16, 1944 "Black Sunday" lost is F-7A 42-73042  pilot Harms on a photographic reconnaissance mission. Returning, encountered a severe weather front and force landed at Saidor Airfield. Afterwards, written off afterwards.

On May 22, 1944 lost is F-7A "Under Exposed!" 42-73052  pilot Barstow crashed Mount Wilhelm.

On June 17, 1944 damaged is F-7A "The Wango Wango Bird" 42-64048 landing at Nadzab Airfield and written off.

On August 7, 1944 based at Nadzab Airfield begins operating from Mokmer Drome on Biak with F-7s with the rest of the squadron arriving by September 3, 1944.

On September 30, 1944 lost is F-7B 44-40422  pilot Harms on a mission over Leyte and while returning went Missing In Action (MIA).

On October 4, 1944 damaged is F-7B "Idle Curiosity" 44-40423 afterwards written off and scrapped.

On November 15, 1944 the squadron moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines while their F-7's continue operating from Mokmer Drome on Biak.

On November 25, 1944 a Japanese air raid destroys F-7B 44-40895 parked at Pitu Airfield (Pitoe) on Morotai.

On January 11, 1945 lost is F-7B 44-40961 (MIA) pilot 2nd Lt Francis N. Riley missing a mission bound for Luzon that aborted due to bad weather.

On February 24, 1945 a detachment from the 20th CMS begins operating from San Jose Airfield on Mindoro in the Philippines.

On April 5, 1945 damaged is F-7B 44-40199 during a taxi accident and was written off on Mindoro.

On April 21, 1945 lost is F-7B "Cherokee Strip" 44-40198  crashed into the sea off San Theresa village on Mindoro.

On May 17, 1945 the squadron moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines.

Other Aircraft assigned to the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS)
F-7A "Patched Up Piece" 42-64047  ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped
F-7A "Bourbon Boxcar" 42-64048  ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped
F-7A "The Rip Snorter" 42-73047  written off June 1945 at Biak
F-7A "American Beauty" 42-73045  scrapped Nadzab Airfield
F-7A "Photo Queen!" 42-73049  ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped
F-7B Liberator 44-41013  ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped
F-7 44-40199  flew 100 missions on April 2, 1945 taxiing accident written off Mindoro
F-7B 44-40961  pilot Flogg MIA January 11, 1945 MACR 11773
F-7B 44-40602  flew 52 missions ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Philippines September 18-25, 1944
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award October 23, 1962–November 24, 1962

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 107-108 (20th Reconnaissance) (PDF pages 119-120)
20th Combat Mapping Squadron via WayBack Machine March 10, 2016