U S ARMY AIR FORCE IN WORLD WAR II

[quincannon]

I recently ran across a book that I thought I would share with anyone interested in this subject.

"AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II - HISTORY AND INSIGNIA by Maurer Maurer.

Originally published in 1961 and Reprinted in 1980 USAF Historical Division, Air University, Department of the Air Force

The book covers Army Air Force and later U S Air Force Combat Units from date of original activation until about 1954, at the echelon Air Force, Commands, Divisions, Wings, Groups. The book is very strong in the information provided for the combat groups of all types. Information at group level includes squadrons assigned, types of aircraft used, stations, and group commanders. While the book concentrates on the USAAF in WWII, it transcends the era where the Air Force became a separate service, and continues through the Korean War.

I highly recommend it. I suspect it will be fairly hard to find, but e-bay would be the place I would look first. I don't know if it has been reprinted again post 1980, but if it has, anyone having any contacts at Maxwell AFB, may find it on sale there as well.

I consider it an essential reference for those interested in the Army Air Force in WWII and the USAF in Korea.

While I am on the subject, I created this thread to make you aware of the book, but it occurs to me that we do not yet have a thread for the general discussion of the Army Air Force and United States Air Force. Let this then be the place. Would not be opposed if we eventually created separate threads for the RAF, RAAF, and Luftwaffe as well. There is only so much that we can discuss about LBH, and I know all of us have many and varied subject matter interests. Frankly I know a lot about these subjects on a skimming the top layer basis, BUT, I would love to get into the deep dive, led by people who really know the business. For every one thing I know, there are a hundred others where I don't have a clue. 

[BrevetorCoffin]

Good stuff QC. As to LBH we can also contemplate whether or not an air to ground attack by A-10 Warthogs or even A-26 Marauders on The Big Village would have made a difference. ;-)

This may give the Hairbrush Hussar something to whine about instead of Reno's "charge."

Hope you are doing well!

Best,

David

[quincannon]

Two AH64's would do the trick.

If you were a sixty year old good for nothing, stuck living in your mother's basement you would whine too

[quincannon]

In flipping through this book, I ran across a notation under 23rd Fighter Group that this group was only one of three to have an origin connection with a foreign air force.

The 23rd of course was activated on 4 July 1942 in China, from the remnants of the American Volunteer Group. Another easy one was the 4th Fighter Group, activated in England using personnel and equipment from the RAF Eagle Squadrons, and yes the first aircraft they flew were ex-RAF Spitfires.

For the life of me I cannot think of any other group having a connection with another foreign air force. Anyone have any ideas?

[BrevetorCoffin]

Apr 21, 2017 14:35:53 GMT quincannon said:

In flipping through this book, I ran across a notation under 23rd Fighter Group that this group was only one of three to have an origin connection with a foreign air force.

The 23rd of course was activated on 4 July 1942 in China, from the remnants of the American Volunteer Group. Another easy one was the 4th Fighter Group, activated in England using personnel and equipment from the RAF Eagle Squadrons, and yes the first aircraft they flew were ex-RAF Spitfires.

For the life of me I cannot think of any other group having a connection with another foreign air force. Anyone have any ideas?

The Lafayette Escadrille started up in 1916. American pilots flying French warplanes such as the SPAD 13.

Best,

David

[quincannon]

Yes, I thought about the Lafayette Escadrille, and I know that many of the pilots from the LE became the 103rd Aero Squadron of the AEF. Later, after the war the 103rd was consolidated with the 94th Fighter Squadron of the USAAC. For some time the 94th used the Indian Chief insignia of the LE/103rd, until they went back to the Hat in the Ring insignia used by the 94th in WWI.

There s actually a model out of a P26 of 94th FS with the Indian Chief insignia, which would mean they were still using that insignia until the mid to late 1930's, and I recall also that there was some dust up with Rickenbacker himself, not wanting (or maybe wanting, can't recall) the Hat in The Ring. Maybe something to do with Eastern Air Lines.

Lufbery who commanded the 94th until he was killed also served in the LE.

I suppose that must be it, and I guess I was looking at the wrong echelon, groups, when I should have been looking at squadrons.

Another thing I do not fully understand is the USAF Wing/Base concept. As far as I know under this concept the Wing, and the base they operate from are the same command echelon. Under the wing there may be several groups, and with flying wings the flying squadrons are subordinate to the operations group, which in many if not all cases is the direct descendant of the former fighter/bomber/whatever group of WWII. If you look at the wing lineages they were first organized when the Air Force became a separate service, but somehow the wing carries or shares the battle honors and decorations of the group. For instance the 4th Operations Group is the direct descendent of the 4th Fighter Group, but the 4th Fighter Wing carries the insignia and honors. I suppose it makes sense, but I sure would like a better explanation than my reading into the subject can provide. Maybe Tom or Alfa Kilo knows the full story.  

[deadwoodgultch]

I should have more history and can get it, but basically, today a Wing is comprised of two or more Groups and or flights. All wings and groups fall under one of theMajor Commands. Used to be easy everybody under SAC, TAC, and a couple of others. Today you have this, which I am sure you found.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_Commands_of_the_United_States_Air_Force

[deadwoodgultch]

Flights and Squadrons can be ground and/or air components.

[herosrest]

Etampees, September, 1917.  Source

Carl A. Spaatz

The linked data (post bottom - bottom of the post - beneath image) may be of interest to aviation buffs, with some long lost vintage images. I remain interested in the Pukin' Pups (36th FS) 'The Flying Fiends' came into existence when a group of aviation pioneers, eager to prove the value of air power in World War I, formed the 36th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, in June 1917. First Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, the son of President Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the squadron's first commanders. While the new squadron did not see combat as a unit when it moved to France, several of its members did while flying for other squadrons.

After World War I, the 36th was inactivated, only to be resurrected in October 1930 at Selfridge Field,Michigan, to train pilots and develop new air tactics. In 1932, the 36th relocated to Langley Field, Virginia, as part of the 8th Pursuit Group. While assigned to the 8th, the 36th flew airmail for the U.S. Postal Service, flying in all types of weather without instruments. During World War II, the squadron flew P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-38 Lightning fighters in a number of Pacific Theater campaigns. These included the defense of New Guinea.

Aero squadrons Originally named the “Pukin’ Pups,” the 36th patch image has remained the same since its creation, something VERY rare in the delightful PC culture in which we live today. 36th badge -




Arrival of 30 - 31 - 32 - 33 - 53 - 36 - 37th Aero Squadrons at Etampes, France, September 18, 1917 

Quentin Roosevelt in a letter to his father, said: "
Father, I command a bunch of tougher bastards than yours ever dared to be!  "

[herosrest]

Lafayette Squadron, 1958 trailer. Spot the stars to be......

[quincannon]

The 36th is still active HR, part of the 51st Operations Group, based at Osan, South Korea. Osan was originally known as K55 during the Korean War.