Obscure USAAF Unit Request

[buffnut453]

Folks,

Does anyone know where I might find detailed information on the equipment and activities of the 66th Observation Group and its constituent units (97th, 106th and 118th Observation Squadrons) during 1942? We've tried Maxwell with no joy. Any other places where this obscure info might be hiding?

Many thanks,
Mark

 

[mikewint]

Activated as an observation group in 1941, the unit performed field observation duties during various Army maneuvers in North Carolina and Tennessee prior to the United States entry into World War II. Performed anti-submarine missions along the Southeast Atlantic Coast in the early part of the war then functioned as a training unit.

Constituted as 66th Observation Group on 21 August 1941
Activated on 1 September 1941.
Redesignated 66th Reconnaissance Group on 1 April 1943
Redesignated 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 1 August 1943
Disbanded on 20 April 1944.

The 97th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, stationed at Thermal Army Airfield, California. It was inactivated on 15 April 1944.
Antisubmarine patrols, 18 December 1941-September 1942; trained, and supported ground forces on maneuvers, September 1942-April 1944.

The 106th
Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 135th Squadron which, having been allotted to NG, was organized on 21 January 1922
Redesignated: 135th Observation Squadron on 25 January 1923
Redesignated: 114th Observation Squadron on 1 May 1923
Redesignated: 106th Observation Squadron on 16 January 1924
Ordered to active service on 25 November 1940
Redesignated: 106th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 January 1942;
Redesignated: 106th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated: 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943
Redesignated: 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 9 May 1944
On 25 November 1940, the 106 Observation Squadron was ordered to active duty. A week after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, the squadron was ordered to Miami, Florida to begin flying anti-submarine patrols. The anti-submarine mission continued for the squadron until September 1942 when the 106th began preparing for its new mission as a bombardment squadron flying the B-25 Mitchell. This new mission was reflected in a name change when the 106 Observation Squadron was redesignated 106 Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943. Arriving at Guadalcanal on 15 November 1943, the 106th immediately began performing its new bombing mission. The squadron was once again redesignated on 9 May 1944 when it became known as the 100 Bombardment Squadron (Medium). The 100th was inactivated at Camp Stoneman, California on 11 December 1945.



The 118th
Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 118th Observation Squadron which, having been allotted to National Guard, was activated on 1 November 1923. Ordered to active service on 24 February 1941.
Redesignated: 118th Observation Squadron (Light) on 13 January 1942
Redesignated: 118th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated: 118th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 April 1943
Redesignated: 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Antisubmarine patrols, 26 January-c. August 1942; air defense patrols in India in area to rear of combat zone, 28 March-4 June 1944; combat in CBI as fighter unit, 18 June 1944-21 January 1945, 16 April-ii August 1945.

 

[buffnut453]

Thanks Mike. I've already exhausted pretty much all the on-line references which provide similar info to the details you listed. I'm trying to find the equivalent of the RAF Operations Record Books that might provide more detailed descriptions of daily activities during 1942, particularly the latter half of the year. I was wondering where else, other than Maxwell AFB, I might go looking for such records.

 

[mikewint]

Thought you were just looking for general info. going to be tough with the time and change of services from army to airforce. Many army units have unit historians. Does the unit have a web page? lots of those have been shut down with all the terrorism going on

 

[buffnut453]

I said it was obscure...perhaps esoteric was a better word? But I agree this will be a real toughie.

I'll keep ploughing around. The 106th and 118th are both still active as ANG units so perhaps there might be a lead through those existing units.

 

[mikewint]

Your best bet is a unit historian if the AF has such a thing. Try to locate reunion groups. I know the army does and has both. The air base might be another lead, a public information officer might be willing to supply you with leads. again terrorism is going to close a lot of doors right from the outset.
good luck, wish I could help more

 

[scott.wallace]

Mark,

The 97th is now the 97th Intelligence Squadron, stationed at Offutt AFB, NE. During 1942, it was flying anti-submarine missions in the Caribbean. Our squadron's got a pdf file that lists out the squadron's history, though a lot is missing during that timeframe. After Dec 1941, the record keeping became far less reliable.

-Scott
part-time 97 IS historian

 

[A4K]

Does the unit have a web page? lots of those have been shut down with all the terrorism going on[/QUOTE

I fail to see the connection between an Air Force unit web page and terrorism...