User:Ahench/4th Composite Group

The 4th Composite Group was one of the seven original groups created by the Air Service, United States Army in the period 1919-1920. It was established as the 1st Observation Group (the 2nd was in Hawaii and the 3rd in the Canal Zone). For most of its 20-year history it was the sole group in the Philippines. Comprised of an observation squad, a pursuit squad, and a bombardment squad it was typically the last to receive the latest aircraft. Once World War Two started the strategic value of the Philippines became more apparent. When it was clear that a war with Japan was eminent an effort to increase the air arm was put into motion and in the last two months before the war the newest fighters and bombers were to be transferred to the Philippines as quickly as possible.

Units

• 2nd Squadron (renamed 2nd Observation Squadron on 25 January 1923), 20 March 1920 - 28 October 1941.
• 3rd Squadron (renamed 3rd Pursuit Squadron on 25 January 1923), 20 March 1920 - 29 September 1941
• 28th Squadron (renamed 28th Bombardment Squadron on 25 January 1923), 1 September 1922 - 16 November 1941
• 17th Pursuit Squadron, 14 December 1940 - 1 October 1941.
• 20th Pursuit Squadron, 14 December 1940 - 1 October 1941.

History

Lineage

• Authorized (established) as 1st Observation Group, and organized, on 20 March 1920
• Redesignated: 4th Composite Group on 2 December 1922
• Disbanded on 16 November 1941

Assignments

• Philippine Department, 20 March 1920
• Philippine Department Air Force, 6 May 1941
• Air Force, United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), 4 August 1941

Stations

• Fort Stotsenburg, Philippines, 20 March 1920
• Clark Field, Philippines, by 2 December 1922

Aircraft

• HS-2L (flying boat), 1920–1925
• N-9, 1920–1925
• HS-1L (flying boat), 1920–1925
• S-1, 1920–1925
• DH-4, 1920–1931
• MB-3, 1923–1926
• PW-9, 1923–1926
• NBS-1, 1924–1930
• O-2, 1926–1937
• O-5, 1926–1931
• OA-1, 1926–1931
• LB-5, 1929–1931
• P-12, 1930–1937
• B-3, 1931–1940

• O-19, 1931–1938
• C-6, 1931–1938
• OA-3, 1931–1938
• P-26, 1937–1941
• B-10, 1937–1941
• O-46, 1938–1941
• OA-4, 1938–1941
• OA-9, 1938–1941
• O-52, 1941
• P-35, 1941
• P-40, 1941
• B-18, 1941
• B-17, 1941

Operations

Origins

The 1st Group (Observation) was created on 20 March 1920, at Fort Stotsenburg in the Philippines out of the two squads already based there, the 2nd based on Corregidor and the 3rd Fort Stotsenburg. On 1 September 1922, the 28th Squadron was activated at Nichols Field. By the end of January 1923 the group was redesignated the 4th Composite Group and the three squads were redesignated the 2nd Observation, 3rd Pursuit, and 28th Bombardment Squadrons. This remained the same until 1940.

1940’s

In May 1940 the 3rd Pursuit had 28 P-26A fighters, the 28th had 17 B-10 bombers and the 2nd had 10 O-46 planes. Two pursuit squads were added to the 4th Composite Group in November, the 17th and 20th.

By May 1941 the 3rd still was flying their P-26A’s, the 17th were starting use some of the 55 P-35 diverted from a sale to Sweden. The 20th Squad had assembled the new P-40B’s they received, but were no operational due to lack of engine coolant. The 28th still were flying B-10s, but had B-18’s still in crates to assemble. The 2nd had 11 new O-52 observation planes.

References

• Clay, Lt.Col. Steven E. (2010). US Army Order of Battle 1919-1941 Vol. 3: The Services: Air Service, Engineers, and Special Troops Organizations (PDF). Command and General Staff College, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 9780984190140. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
• Maurer, Maurer (1982). Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5.