68th Observation Group
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The 68th Observation Group was originally established in Brownwood, Texas, on 1 September 1941.
Its primary mission was observation aircraft training and antisubmarine patrols. The group moved to several different U.S. locations in preparation for oversea deployment starting 28 January 1942.
The 68th split into a number of different elements beginning on 22 September 1942. One section moved by ship to England, and then to the invasion of North Africa, while another large section moved directly to North Africa.
The group movement finally ended on 2 January 1943, when all of its elements united at Oujda, French Morocco. From here, the group engaged in intensive training and flew antisubmarine patrols in western Mediterranean waters.
Late in March 1943, the 68th moved to Beerechid Airfield and trained P-38 and P-39 pilots. On 26 October 1943, the group moved to Massicault Airdrome, Tunisia (in 1961 the Airport was renamed to Bordj El Amri), where it became little more than a skeleton force.
After a move to Blida, Algeria, on 15 June 1944, the group was disestablished.
[edit] References
68th Air Refueling Wing, Heavy Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina Eighth Air Force
