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The '''2d Pursuit Group''' was a [[Air Service, United States Army]] unit that fought on the [[Western Front]] during [[World War I]].
The '''2d Pursuit Group''' was a [[Air Service, United States Army]] unit that fought on the [[Western Front]] during [[World War I]]. It was demobilized in April 1919 as part of the Air Service, [[First United States Army]]. There is no modern [[United States Air Force]] unit that shares its lineage and history.<ref name="Gorrell">Series "C"; Volume 10, History of the 2d Pursuit Group, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917-1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C. via http://www.fold3.com</ref>

==History==
The group was organized on 29 June 1918 at [[Gengault Aerodrome]], Toul, France, initially consisting of the 22d Aero Squadron. The 2d Pursuit Group immediately began operations against the enemy. The 139th Aero Squadron was assigned to the group the next day, and by 15 August the 13th Aero and 40th Aero filled out the unit's compliment of squadrons. All of the squadrons were equipped with French [[SPAD XIII]]s. In theory the group totaled 72 aircraft and an equal number of pilots. The reality was that it was rare for the number of pilots to equal the number of aircraft or for the aircraft to be fully standardized across an entire group.<ref name="Gorrell"/>

When the armistice was signed and hostilities ceased at 11:00 11 November, the pilots of the group had flown 7,788:21 hours in combat over enemy territory. In the 111 flying days made possible by the weather, 358 pilots engaged the enemy in 166 air combat battles with the loss of 30 pilots. Of the 166th air battles, 132 victories were officially credited to the pilots of the group, with 16 "Air Aces" with five or more enemy aircraft to their credit. In addition, four pilots of the group were decorated with the American [[Distinguished Service Cross]].<ref name="Gorrell"/>

===Lineage===
* Organized as: '''2d Pursuit Group''' on 29 June 1918
: Demobilized after 1 April 1919
<ref name="Gorrell"/>
===Assignments===
* Air Service, First Army, AEF, 29 June 1918
* [[1st Pursuit Wing]], 6 July-December 1918
* Undetermined, December 1918-April 1919
<ref name="Gorrell"/>
===Components===
* [[13th Aero Squadron]] (Pursuit), 10 August-December 1918
* [[22d Aero Squadron]] (Pursuit), 29 June-April 1919
* [[40th Aero Squadron]] (Pursuit), 15 August-11 November 1918
* [[139th Aero Squadron]] (Pursuit), 30 June-11 November 1918
<ref name="Gorrell"/>
===Stations===
* [[Gengault Aerodrome]], Toul, France, 29 June-23 September 1918
* [[Belrain Aerodrome]], France, 23 September-After 11 November 1918
<ref name="Gorrell"/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:30, 15 March 2013

2d Pursuit Group
139th Aero Squadron, Belrain Aerodrome, France, November 1918
Active29 June 1918-April 1919
Country United States
Branch  Air Service, United States Army
TypeGroup
RoleCommand and Control
Part ofAmerican Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
EngagementsWorld War I

The 2d Pursuit Group was a Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I. It was demobilized in April 1919 as part of the Air Service, First United States Army. There is no modern United States Air Force unit that shares its lineage and history.[1]

History

The group was organized on 29 June 1918 at Gengault Aerodrome, Toul, France, initially consisting of the 22d Aero Squadron. The 2d Pursuit Group immediately began operations against the enemy. The 139th Aero Squadron was assigned to the group the next day, and by 15 August the 13th Aero and 40th Aero filled out the unit's compliment of squadrons. All of the squadrons were equipped with French SPAD XIIIs. In theory the group totaled 72 aircraft and an equal number of pilots. The reality was that it was rare for the number of pilots to equal the number of aircraft or for the aircraft to be fully standardized across an entire group.[1]

When the armistice was signed and hostilities ceased at 11:00 11 November, the pilots of the group had flown 7,788:21 hours in combat over enemy territory. In the 111 flying days made possible by the weather, 358 pilots engaged the enemy in 166 air combat battles with the loss of 30 pilots. Of the 166th air battles, 132 victories were officially credited to the pilots of the group, with 16 "Air Aces" with five or more enemy aircraft to their credit. In addition, four pilots of the group were decorated with the American Distinguished Service Cross.[1]

Lineage

  • Organized as: 2d Pursuit Group on 29 June 1918
Demobilized after 1 April 1919

[1]

Assignments

  • Air Service, First Army, AEF, 29 June 1918
  • 1st Pursuit Wing, 6 July-December 1918
  • Undetermined, December 1918-April 1919

[1]

Components

[1]

Stations

[1]

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Series "C"; Volume 10, History of the 2d Pursuit Group, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917-1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C. via http://www.fold3.com

Category:20th-century military history of the United States Category:Aviation in World War I

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