VII Corps Observation Group

The VII Corps Observation Group was a short-lived United States Army Air Service formation created during the final phase of World War I. It operated as part of the First Army Air Service on the Western Front and was associated with VII Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces. Its principal responsibilities were corps-level observation, liaison with ground formations, reconnaissance, photography, communications exercises, and the training of aviation detachments assigned to infantry divisions. The group was organized in France on 30 August 1918, although its creation was initiated earlier in August during the rapid expansion of the American air arm. Its headquarters was initially established at Remicourt Aerodrome. The formation was administrative as well as operational: headquarters handled the organization of the group while subordinate aero squadrons and photo units performed observation and liaison duties. The 258th Aero Squadron joined on 19 September 1918 together with the 3d Photo Section. The 258th initially conducted liaison instruction for VII Corps infantry divisions, including a temporary school that operated from 5 to 19 October. A flight later operated from Mathay Aerodrome under French direction over the Belfort Front between 30 October and 7 November. On 7 November, the squadron was transferred to the Second Army Air Service. The 278th Aero Squadron was assigned on 29 October. It moved to Croix-de-Metz Aerodrome near Toul in November and was also transferred to the Second Army Air Service on 14 November. These transfers coincided with a major reorganization following the Armistice. On 14 November, VII Corps became part of the newly established United States Third Army, whose mission included the occupation of northern portions of the Rhineland. The observation group consequently shifted from wartime First Army operations to occupation and support duties under the Third Army Air Service. The 88th Aero Squadron joined the group on 6 December 1918. During the movement into Germany, group headquarters and subordinate elements relocated through Belgium, Luxembourg, and western Germany. The headquarters moved to Virton, then Grevenmacher, and subsequently Wittlich before arriving at Trier on 21 December. The 88th Aero Squadron moved through Villers-la-Chevre and reached Trier Airfield on 10 December. Its duties included panel exercises with the corps radio station and marching reconnaissance in support of divisions moving into Germany. At Trier, the group also established a liaison school on 8 January 1919 for detachments associated with the 89th and 90th Divisions. The school was temporarily suspended on 18 January because the divisions lacked enough officers to attend. By April 1919, the organization had expanded to include the 9th Aero Squadron, the 186th Aero Squadron, two photo sections, and three balloon companies. This broader structure reflected the range of aerial observation, photographic, communications, and reconnaissance capabilities used by the occupation force. The VII Corps Observation Group did not become a continuing United States Air Force organization. On 12 May 1919, Third Army Headquarters ordered the group and its subordinate units to report to the Services of Supply at the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles Aerodrome in France. The group was demobilized there, after which its personnel were assigned to Services of Supply control and sent to staging camps pending transportation to the United States. Members subsequently returned to civilian life. No modern United States Air Force unit shares the group's lineage and historical identity.

The VII Corps Observation Group was organized in France on 30 August 1918 during the expansion of the United States Army Air Service in the closing months of World War I. Its headquarters was established at Remicourt Aerodrome in connection with VII Corps. The headquarters performed organizational and administrative work while assigned squadrons and photographic elements carried out the group's operational functions. The 258th Aero Squadron and the 3d Photo Section were assigned on 19 September 1918 and were stationed at Luxeuil-les-Bains Aerodrome. The 258th's initial task was to train and maintain liaison with infantry divisions of VII Corps. A liaison school operated from 5 through 19 October. One flight subsequently operated from Mathay Aerodrome under French orders over the Belfort Front from 30 October to 7 November. The 258th was transferred to the Second Army Air Service on 7 November. The 278th Aero Squadron joined the group on 29 October, moved toward Croix-de-Metz Aerodrome near Toul in November, and was also transferred to the Second Army on 14 November. The Armistice brought a change in the group's assignment. On 14 November, VII Corps was placed within the new United States Third Army, which was responsible for the occupation of northern Rhineland territory. The group therefore became part of the Third Army Air Service. The 88th Aero Squadron was assigned on 6 December. Headquarters moved through Virton in Belgium, Grevenmacher in Luxembourg, and Wittlich in Germany before reaching Trier on 21 December. The 88th moved to Villers-la-Chevre and then to Trier Airfield on 10 December. During this period it conducted panel exercises with the corps radio station and reconnaissance associated with divisions marching into Germany. Occupation duties continued at Trier. On 8 January 1919, the group opened a liaison school for detachments of the 89th and 90th Divisions. The school was suspended temporarily on 18 January because the divisions did not have enough officers available for instruction. On 15 April, the group expanded to include the 9th Aero Squadron and the 186th Aero Squadron. It also controlled two photo sections and three balloon companies, giving it a mixed observation structure that combined aircraft, photography, balloons, and communications-related activities. The organization remained active only briefly after this expansion. On 12 May 1919, Third Army Headquarters directed the group and its subordinate units to report to the Services of Supply at the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles Aerodrome in France. The group was demobilized there. Its personnel were assigned to the Commanding General, Services of Supply, and sent to staging camps while awaiting transportation through French base ports to the United States. They then returned to civilian life. The group has no continuing modern United States Air Force successor or shared lineage.

• 1919

  Liaison school opened at Trier

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group opened a liaison school on 8 January for detachments of the 89th and 90th Divisions; it was temporarily discontinued later that month because of an officer shortage.

• 1919

  Expansion during the occupation

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 9th and 186th Aero Squadrons, along with additional photographic and balloon elements, were assigned on 15 April.

• 1919

  Demobilization

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was ordered to report to the Services of Supply at Colombey-les-Belles on 12 May and was demobilized there.

• 1918

  Organization in France

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The VII Corps Observation Group was organized in France on 30 August 1918 and assigned to the First Army Air Service.

• 1918

  258th Aero Squadron and 3d Photo Section assigned

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 19 September, the 258th Aero Squadron and 3d Photo Section joined the group at Luxeuil-les-Bains Aerodrome.

• 1918

  Transfer to Third Army Air Service

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 14 November, VII Corps entered the Third Army structure for the Rhineland occupation, moving the observation group from the First Army Air Service to the Third Army Air Service.

• 1918

  Headquarters established at Trier

  [1]VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After movements through Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, group headquarters reached Trier on 21 December 1918.

A wartime and post-Armistice military aviation formation focused on corps observation, aerial reconnaissance, photography, liaison, communications training, and support of ground-force movements.

1. 1VII Corps Observation Groupen.wikipedia.org