WW2 USAAF squadron/group aircraft codes

[72modeler]

I don't recall seeing this posted here on BM before; if it has, I will remove the redundant post. I found this on the World War Photos website while looking for something else! I think it would be a useful  modeling reference.

Mike

 

https://www.worldwarphotos.info/usaaf-codes/

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Nice page, just do not treat it as an order of battle.  For example, Bombardment Divisions became Air Divisions on 1 January 1945 but the 489th Group was sent to the US on 29 November 1944.  8th Air Support Command had 3rd Bombardment Wing from June 1943 to 16 October 1943, then to 9th Air Force, the wing became the 98th in November 1943 while the 397th Bomb Group did not arrive until 5 April 1944.

 

Unit, date where the listing first agrees with the 8th Air Force OOB

65th Fighter Wing 8 August 1944
66th Fighter Wing 4 April 1944
67th Fighter Wing 8 August 1944

 

On the page, above 36th FG, insert the heading 9th Air Force/1st Tactical Air Force

 

The 363rd Fighter Group (380, 381, 383 sqns) became the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group (160, 161, 162 sqns) on 4 September 1944. (Sqn designations changed 25 August)

 

Reconnaissance (Photographic, Tactical) squadrons listed, (106 A9 on web page should be 160 A9), wartime only.  8th AF ones were stable, not moving between groups, the 802nd Group (activated 21 April 1944) became the 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) on 9 August 1944, same day as 325th PR Wing was activated.

9th AF/1st TAF
10th (T) arrived February/March 1945, 69th Group
12th (T) from 67th to 10th Groups 13 June 1944
15th (T) from 67th to 10th Groups 13 June 1944
22nd (T) arrived in February/March 1945, 69th Group
30th (P) from 10th to 67th Group 13 June 1944
31st (P) with 10th Group
31st (T) arrived February/March 1945, 69th Group
33rd (P) from 10th to 67th Group 13 June 1944, to 363 Group 30 October 1944.
34th (P) 10th Group, to XII TAC October 1944 (Provisional Reconnaissance Group), 69 Group 20 April 1945
107th (T) 67th Group
109th (T) 67th Group
111th (T) to France from Mediterranean August 1944, under XII TAC then to Provisional Reconnaissance Group, 69 Group 20 April 1945
153rd (T) with 67th Group became liaison sqn.
155th (P) from 423rd NF sqn 22 June 1944, under 10th Group from 17 May, 67th Group 21 February 1945.

 

The 9th Air Force in World War II, Kenn C. Rust has 10 pages of text and photographs on Desert fighting markings and 47 pages on ETO markings, 50th FG used red markings, the 366th black markings, the 367th red, blue and yellow markings, the 370th yellow, blue and red markings, 373rd mostly none but some black markings, 404th as per 373rd except group commanders reported to have back/white checkerboard cowls.

Edited April 9, 2021 by Geoffrey Sinclair

[72modeler]

Guess I should have added the disclaimer " I have no knowledge as to the accuracy of this material' to my post- thanks for the corrections, Geoffrey!

Mike 

[RC Boater Bill]

What does the highlight color in some of the cells signify?   (There’s no key or explanation...)

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

20 minutes ago, RC Boater Bill said:

What does the highlight color in some of the cells signify?   (There’s no key or explanation...)

Squadron colours, while white can be generally considered to mean unknown, though the 388th sqn, 365th FG used white.

for example,

36th FG sqns: red, yellow, blue

48th FG sqns: red, blue, yellow.

etc.