2nd Pursuit Group

The 2nd Pursuit Group was a World War I aviation formation of the Air Service, United States Army. It was organized in France on 29 June 1918 at Croix de Metz Aerodrome near Toul and served as part of the First United States Army Air Service, later operating under the 1st Pursuit Wing. Its mission was pursuit aviation: engaging German aircraft, protecting friendly formations, and contesting control of the air over the Western Front. The group began operations with the 13th Aero Squadron as its initial assigned component. The 139th Aero Squadron joined the following day, and the formation reached a broader operational complement during the summer of 1918. By 16 August, the 13th and 22nd Aero Squadrons were assigned to the group, while other squadrons joined or departed during the campaign. The 28th Aero Squadron was added on 6 November, shortly before the armistice. Components associated with the group included the 13th, 22nd, 28th, 49th, 103rd, and 139th Aero Squadrons, although not all served for the same duration. The group's principal aircraft was the French-built SPAD S.XIII. On paper, the organization was intended to field 72 aircraft and an equivalent number of pilots. Wartime conditions meant that actual strength fluctuated, and the aircraft inventory was not always standardized. Personnel and equipment availability, weather, and the rapidly changing conditions of the air war affected the number of missions the group could conduct. The group moved from Croix de Metz Aerodrome to Belrain Aerodrome on 23 September 1918. During the 111 flying days made possible by weather before the armistice, its pilots recorded 7,788 hours and 21 minutes of combat flying over enemy territory. The formation participated in 166 air battles involving 358 pilots and suffered the loss of 30 pilots. Group pilots were credited with 132 aerial victories, and 16 pilots achieved ace status by being credited with at least five enemy aircraft destroyed. Four members received the Distinguished Service Cross. Following the armistice of 11 November 1918, the 2nd Pursuit Group ceased combat operations. The lineage account records its demobilization in December 1918, while the article introduction also describes the unit as being demobilized in France on 10 April 1919. The available reference therefore contains a dating discrepancy, but both accounts establish that the group was a temporary wartime formation rather than a continuing United States Air Force organization. No modern United States Air Force unit is recognized as carrying forward its lineage and history.

The 2nd Pursuit Group was created on 29 June 1918 at Croix de Metz Aerodrome, Toul, France, as part of the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Forces. Its initial assigned component was the 13th Aero Squadron, and the 139th Aero Squadron joined on 30 June. The group was placed under the First Army Air Service and then assigned to the 1st Pursuit Wing on 6 July. The organization expanded and changed composition during the summer and autumn campaign. The 103rd Aero Squadron served with the group from 4 July to 7 August 1918. The 49th Aero Squadron was assigned from 2 August to 5 December. The 22nd Aero Squadron joined on 16 August, and the 28th Aero Squadron was added on 6 November. The 13th Aero Squadron remained assigned until 5 December, while the 22nd, 28th, and 139th Aero Squadrons continued with the group through the end of the recorded wartime lineage. These changes reflect the fluid organization of American air units in France rather than a permanently fixed order of battle. The group's squadrons operated French SPAD S.XIII fighters. Although its planned establishment was 72 aircraft and 72 pilots, wartime shortages and logistical conditions meant that the theoretical complement was not always achieved. Aircraft were also not necessarily uniform in their actual availability or configuration. The group relocated from Croix de Metz Aerodrome to Belrain Aerodrome on 23 September 1918 and conducted pursuit operations over the Western Front from that base. Before the armistice, the group recorded 7,788 hours and 21 minutes of combat flying during 111 weather-permitting flying days. Its 358 participating pilots engaged German aircraft in 166 air battles. The group was credited with 132 victories and lost 30 pilots. Sixteen of its pilots were credited with at least five enemy aircraft destroyed and thus recognized as aces under the period's system of aerial victory claims. Four pilots received the Distinguished Service Cross. The armistice ended active fighting at 11:00 on 11 November 1918. The lineage section records the group's demobilization on 11 December 1918, whereas the article's introductory account gives 10 April 1919 as the demobilization date in France. This unresolved discrepancy should be retained when describing the unit's end. In either case, the formation did not become a continuing United States Air Force organization. The reference specifically states that no modern Air Force unit shares its lineage and history.

• 1918

  Organization in France

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 2nd Pursuit Group was organized on 29 June at Croix de Metz Aerodrome, Toul, France, within the First Army Air Service.

• 1918

  Initial squadron assignments

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 13th Aero Squadron was initially assigned, followed by the 139th Aero Squadron on 30 June. The group was assigned to the 1st Pursuit Wing on 6 July.

• 1918

  Expansion of the pursuit formation

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 22nd Aero Squadron joined on 16 August, helping establish the group's principal summer order of battle. The 28th Aero Squadron was assigned on 6 November.

• 1918

  Move to Belrain Aerodrome

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group moved from Croix de Metz Aerodrome to Belrain Aerodrome on 23 September.

• 1918

  End of combat operations

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The armistice with Germany ended hostilities on 11 November. By then, the group had recorded 132 credited aerial victories and 30 pilot losses.

• 1918

  Recorded demobilization date

  [1]2nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The lineage section records demobilization on 11 December 1918. The article introduction separately gives 10 April 1919, creating a source-date discrepancy.

A temporary American Expeditionary Forces pursuit-aviation formation focused on fighter operations over the Western Front during World War I.

1. 12nd Pursuit Groupen.wikipedia.org