4th Pursuit Group
The 4th Pursuit Group was a United States Army Air Service fighter unit that operated on the Western Front during the final weeks of World War I.
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Overview
The 4th Pursuit Group was a United States Army Air Service pursuit, or fighter, formation organized in France during the closing phase of World War I. It belonged to the Air Service of the Second United States Army and operated from Croix de Metz Aerodrome near Toul. Unlike a modern consumer or corporate brand, it was a military organization whose identity was defined by its wartime assignment, subordinate squadrons, aircraft, patrol sector, and administrative lineage. The group was organized on 26 October 1918, shortly before the Armistice. The 141st and 25th Aero Squadrons were assigned the following day. Both were newly deployed units equipped with SPAD XIII fighters, the principal French-built aircraft used by many American pursuit formations. The Sixth Air Park joined the group on 30 October, providing transport and logistical equipment including trucks, cars, motorcycles, and sidecars. On 4 November, the 17th and 148th Aero Squadrons were added, bringing the formation to its intended strength. These squadrons had previously served with the British Royal Flying Corps before being transferred to the Second Army and re-equipped with SPAD XIIIs. The group patrolled a sector on the Western Front bounded approximately by Manheulles and Meilly-sur-Rouvres to the west and Custines, Landremont, and Clémery to the east. Combat activity began on 28 October, when Captain Hobey Baker of the 141st Aero Squadron engaged a formation of German Fokkers near Prény and claimed one aircraft. The patrol then came under attack from additional aircraft at a higher altitude but returned safely to Allied lines. On 5 November, another 141st Squadron patrol attacked and destroyed a German Halberstadt D.II near Hagéville while it was returning from an aerial leaflet mission. Operational opportunities were limited by the group's late formation, constrained aircraft and personnel resources, and poor weather. Several days of bad weather prevented flying before the Armistice of 11 November. After the ceasefire, aircraft were not permitted to cross into enemy-held territory, and flying continued only on a limited basis to maintain pilot proficiency. Much of the group's remaining work involved administrative processing, equipment disposition, and the winding down of the Second Army's wartime organization. The 17th Aero Squadron departed for the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles on 12 December 1918. When the Second Army was ordered demobilized on 15 April 1919, the 25th and 148th Squadrons were sent to the same depot to surrender equipment and end their assignment to the American Expeditionary Forces. Aircraft were delivered to Air Service Production Center No. 2 at Romorantin Aerodrome. The 141st Aero Squadron was instead transferred to the 5th Pursuit Group of the Third Army for occupation duty in the Rhineland. The 4th Pursuit Group itself was demobilized in France on 15 April 1919. The available historical record states that no modern United States Air Force unit shares the group's lineage and history.
History
The 4th Pursuit Group was created in France on 26 October 1918 as part of the Air Service, Second United States Army. Its base was Croix de Metz Aerodrome at Toul. The unit was formed at a moment when the American air arm was expanding its operational structure, but only a short time before the end of hostilities. On 27 October, the 141st and 25th Aero Squadrons were assigned to the group. Both were recent arrivals in France and flew SPAD XIII pursuit aircraft. The Sixth Air Park was attached on 30 October to provide ground transportation and logistical support. Its equipment included trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, and sidecars, reflecting the substantial maintenance and mobility requirements of an aviation formation operating from a forward aerodrome. The group's patrol area covered a portion of the Western Front between Manheulles and Meilly-sur-Rouvres on the western side and Custines, Landremont, and Clémery on the eastern side. Its first recorded combat operation occurred on 28 October. Captain Hobey Baker of the 141st Aero Squadron attacked six German Fokkers near Prény and shot down one. A further group of ten enemy aircraft then attacked from above, but the American patrol returned to its own lines without losses. The formation flew as many patrols as its limited aircraft and pilot complement allowed. The group received the 17th and 148th Aero Squadrons on 4 November. Their arrival completed the group's planned organization. Both had earlier been associated with the British Royal Flying Corps before transfer to the Second Army, and both were equipped with new SPAD XIII aircraft. The 141st recorded another engagement on 5 November, when one of its patrols destroyed a German Halberstadt D.II near Hagéville. The aircraft was reportedly returning from an aerial leaflet operation. Bad weather subsequently restricted flying for several days. The Armistice on 11 November ended offensive aerial operations. After that date, group aircraft were prohibited from crossing into enemy territory. Limited flying continued for training and proficiency, but the principal activities became administrative. The organization had to process personnel, equipment, aircraft, and squadron movements while the Second Army prepared for demobilization. The 17th Aero Squadron left Toul for the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles on 12 December. On 15 April 1919, the 25th and 148th Squadrons followed the demobilization process by proceeding to the depot, surrendering their supplies and equipment, and ending their service with the American Expeditionary Forces. Aircraft were transferred to Air Service Production Center No. 2 at Romorantin Aerodrome. The 141st Aero Squadron was reassigned to the 5th Pursuit Group of the Third Army for occupation duty in the Rhineland. Other personnel were sent through staging camps and awaited transportation through French base ports to the United States. The 4th Pursuit Group was demobilized in France on 15 April 1919 and did not establish a continuing modern Air Force lineage.
- 1919
Group demobilized
[1]The group was demobilized in France on 15 April after the Second Army's wartime organization was dissolved.
- 1918
Organization in France
[1]The 4th Pursuit Group was organized at Croix de Metz Aerodrome near Toul on 26 October as a unit of the Air Service, Second United States Army.
- 1918
Initial squadrons assigned
[1]The 141st and 25th Aero Squadrons joined the group on 27 October, operating SPAD XIII pursuit aircraft.
- 1918
Logistical support added
[1]The Sixth Air Park was assigned on 30 October with vehicles and transport equipment to support the group.
- 1918
Full squadron complement reached
[1]The 17th and 148th Aero Squadrons were assigned on 4 November, completing the group's wartime organization.
- 1918
First recorded combat patrol
[1]On 28 October, Captain Hobey Baker of the 141st Aero Squadron engaged German aircraft near Prény and claimed one Fokker.
- 1918
Halberstadt destroyed near Hagéville
[1]A 141st Aero Squadron patrol destroyed a German Halberstadt D.II on 5 November while it was returning from a leaflet mission.
- 1918
Armistice ends offensive operations
[1]The 11 November Armistice halted combat operations; subsequent flying was limited to proficiency activity and aircraft could not cross into enemy territory.
- 1918
17th Aero Squadron transferred
[1]The 17th Aero Squadron departed for the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles on 12 December.
Products and positioning
A short-lived American Expeditionary Forces pursuit formation organized for fighter patrol and air defense operations on the Western Front during the final weeks of World War I.
Sources1 sources
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