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The 342nd Composite Group was a mainly fighter unit that formed part of the garrison of Iceland. The group was activated on Iceland on 11 September 1942, some time after the US took over control of the island from the British. It was equipped with a mix of fighters and a single B-18 and had the task of defending Iceland against any German attack. The group also provided fighter cover for convoys on the Murmansk route, and flew anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic, helping to provide cover in the 'Atlantic Gap'. The group was disbanded on 18 March 1944, by which time it only contained the 33rd Fighter Squadron (the 50th having moved to England to join the Eighth Air Force in February 1944). The 33rd remained on Iceland for the rest of the war, performing the same roles as the full group.
Pending
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Bell P-39 Airacobra
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Douglas B-18
29 August 1942 | Constituted as 342nd Composite Group |
11 September 1942 | Activated on Iceland |
18 March 1944 | Disbanded |
Lt Col J S Holtoner: 11
Sep 1942
Lt Col W W Korges: 2 Jun 1943
Lt Col Cy Wilson: 10 Aug 1943-unkn
Iceland: 11 Sep 1942-18 March 1944
Squadron | Dates | Aircraft Used |
33rd Fighter Squadron | 1942-44 | |
50th Fighter Squadron | 1942-44 | |
337th Fighter Squadron | 1942 |
squadron