3d Corps Observation Group (World War I)

The 3d Corps Observation Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the III Corps, United States Army Air Service, during World War I in France. It operated in the Toul, Alsne-Marne, and Veale sectors. The organization was inactivated in early 1919 as part of the United States withdrawal of forces from Europe after World War I and the demobilization afterwards.

Mission

The mission of the group was primarily to keep the friendly command informed of the general situation within the enemy lines by means of visual and photographic reconnaissances. It was called upon to effect, whenever necessary, the adjustment of U.S. Army artillery fire. In addition, it was expected that the group would serve to complete the schooling of pilots and observers and render them more competent to undertake intensive operations elsewhere on a larger and more complete scale.

Components

• 88th Army Observation (Aero) Squadron, 1 Aug – 1 Nov 1918
• 90th Army Observation (Aero) Squadron, 21 Sep – 30 Nov 1918
• N.219 & N.229 Escadrille, Aéronautique Militaire (Attached)

Engagements

• Champagne-Marne Defensive, 15–18 Jul 1918
• Alane-Marne Offensive, 18 Jul – 6 Aug 1918
• St Mihel Offensive, 12–16 Sep 1918
• Meuse-Argonne Offensive, 26 Sep – 11 Nov 1918

Aircraft

• AR-2 (Avion de Reconnaissance) (French)
• Sopwith 1 (British)
• Salmson 2.A2 (French)

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• The American Army in the World War, A Divisional Record Of The American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, G Waldo Browne, Rosencrans W. Pillsbury, 1921, Overseas Book Co, Manchester, New Hampshire.