United States Army Air Service
The United States Army Air Service (USAAS)Craven and Cate Vol. 1, p. 9 (also known as the ''"Air Service"'', ''"U.S. Air Service"'' and before its legislative establishment in 1920, the ''"Air Service, United States Army"'') was the aerial warf ...
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
as part of the
First United States Army
First Army is the largest OC/T organization in the U.S. Army, comprising two divisions, ten brigades, and more than 7,500 Soldiers. Its mission is to partner with the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve to enable leaders and deli ...
. Formed in France in July 1918, the group was assigned to the 1st Pursuit Wing and saw action in the final months of the war, supporting the
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a major World War I battle fought from 12 to 15 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and 110,000 French troops under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States again ...
and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Following the end of the war, the group was demobilized in France in late December 1918. There is no modern
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
unit that shares its lineage and history.
History
The group was formed on 30 July 1918 (create 26 July) when the command staff for the group was organized at
Vaucouleurs Aerodrome
'VaucouleursAerodrome, was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located West-Northwest of Vaucouleurs, in the Meuse (department), Meuse Departments of France, department of France, and approximately east of Paris.
Overview
The ...
, France. Operations began on 7 August when two patrols were made over enemy lines by the 103rd Aero Squadron. By 21 August, four pursuit squadrons, all flying
SPAD XIII
The SPAD S.XIII is a French biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War, developed by ''Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés'' (SPAD) from the earlier and highly successful SPAD S.VII.
During early 1917, the French designer Louis Bé ...
aircraft had been formed and equipped. The insignia of the 3rd Pursuit Group consisted of an Indian Head, with each squadron being identified by the number of feathers. Group aircraft markings were:Series "C"; Volume 11, History of the 3rd-5th Pursuit Groups, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C. via http://www.fold3.com
* 28th AS: Indian Head, 1 blue feather. Aircraft tail stripes were large red, small green stripes, alternating.
* 93rd AS: Indian Head, 2 red outline feathers. Aircraft tail strips were small red, large green stripes, alternating.
* 103rd AS: Indian Head, 5 black/yellow feathers. Aircraft tail stripes were large red and green stripes, alternating.
* 213th AS: Indian Head 2 red feathers. Aircraft tail stripes were small green, large red stripes, alternating.
The 103rd AS was already famous, using the USAS version of Spa.124 as the
Lafayette Escadrille
The La Fayette Escadrille () was the name of the French Air Force unit escadrille N 124 during the First World War (1914–1918). This escadrille of the History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)#World War I (1914–1918), ''Aéronautique Mil ...
.
Saint-Mihiel
During the
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a major World War I battle fought from 12 to 15 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and 110,000 French troops under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States again ...
, in co-operation with the 2nd Pursuit Group, patrols operating at medium and high altitudes were maintained. During the opening days of the battle, the group operated just within enemy lines, and later as the day of the attack drew near, well back within Allied lines. The purpose of these patrols was to prevent German observation planes from making reconnaissance flights over Allied territory and conceal the strength of ground forces as well as Allied air power. At the same time, in anticipation of using large formations during the attack, frequent practice patrols were made, consisting of all available planes in two squadrons flying in one formation. These were made well behind the lines, unobserved by the Germans.
Offensive operations began on 12 September with all available planes of the group flying over the lines at a very low altitude, machine-gunning and attacking enemy troop concentrations, never exceeding in altitude. The group's aircraft attacked railroad yards, road convoys, and troops both on roads and in towns, playing havoc with the enemy. The next day, the squadrons pressed home similar attacks as well as flying advanced reconnaissance patrols near the Mad River and in the region between
Conflans-sur-Seine
Conflans-sur-Seine (, literally ''Conflans on Seine'', before 1962: ''Conflans'') is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.
, Mare la Tour and Chambley. Many German Fokkers were encountered and a large number of combat actions ensured. Seven confirmed enemy aircraft were brought down. On the last day of the attack, 14 September, large numbers of enemy aircraft were engaged in combat throughout the day. Allied aircraft were successful in keeping the skies clear for observation aircraft to photograph and to mark enemy positions.
After the Saint-Mihiel attacks, the group settled down to a routine schedule of defensive patrols over the line, carrying out bombing raids when weather permitted. By 18 September, preparations were well under way for the planned Meuse-Argonne Offensive. On 20/21 September the group moved to the Lisle-en-Barrois Aerodrome, closer to the front; however, its patrols remained flying their previous sector, not to betray the planning for the upcoming offensive.
Meuse River
The Meuse or Maas is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a total length of .
History
From 1301, the upp ...
. The squadrons engaged in constant sorties, bombing and machine gunning enemy forces in front of the infantry troops attacking. Many enemy aircraft were engaged, although the Germans were completely dominated by Allied air power. Sorties were flown in conjunction with the
1st Day Bombardment Group
First most commonly refers to:
* First, the ordinal form of the number 1
First or 1st may also refer to:
Acronyms
* Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-Centimeters, an astronomical survey carried out by the Very Large Array
* Far Infrared a ...
, with the 3rd Pursuit Group flying escort missions for the bombers. A running air battle ensured in the general region of
Montfaucon-d'Argonne
Montfaucon-d'Argonne (, literally ''Montfaucon of Argonne'', before 1989: ''Montfaucon'')
By the afternoon of 6 October, two squadrons carried out a bombing and strafing attack on Brieulles-sur-Meuse, dropping a total of 220 kg of bombs on enemy troops and convoys. During the attack, aircraft from the group were attacked by eleven Fokkers; however, the attack was carried out without loss. Bad weather and heavy rain began shortly after that, making flying difficult and often impossible. On 18 October, the largest demonstration of American air power was made when two squadrons of the 2nd Pursuit Group, flying at very low altitude; two squadrons of the 3rd Pursuit Group, operating at ; four squadrons of the
1st Day Bombardment Group
First most commonly refers to:
* First, the ordinal form of the number 1
First or 1st may also refer to:
Acronyms
* Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-Centimeters, an astronomical survey carried out by the Very Large Array
* Far Infrared a ...
at and two more squadrons of the 3rd PG acting as escort for the bombers all rendezvoused in a raid over Bayonville. In addition to destroying enemy ground targets, over forty enemy aircraft were shot down in combat.
Throughout the entire campaign the group carried out bombing raids and strafing of infantry to harass and disrupt the enemy's retreat, and these continued until the end of hostilities. On 6 November the group moved to Foucaucourt Aerodrome, France to be closer to the advancing line. The last patrol over enemy lines was made in the late afternoon of 10 November. Although hampered by a heavy ground mist, low clouds and intermittent rain, 930 kg of bombs were dropped on various enemy targets on the very last day of the war.
Lineage
* Organized in France as: 3rd Pursuit Group on 30 July 1918
: Demobilized in France in December 1918
93rd Aero Squadron
The 93d Aero Squadron was an Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front (World War I), Western Front during World War I.
The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 3d Pursuit Group, F ...
Vaucouleurs Aerodrome
'VaucouleursAerodrome, was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located West-Northwest of Vaucouleurs, in the Meuse (department), Meuse Departments of France, department of France, and approximately east of Paris.
Overview
The ...