342nd Composite Group (USAAF)

History - Books - Aircraft - Time Line - Commanders - Main Bases - Component Units - Assigned To

History

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.

Books

Pending

Aircraft

Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Bell P-39 Airacobra
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Douglas B-18

Timeline

29 August 1942 Constituted as 342nd Composite Group
11 September 1942 Activated on Iceland
18 March 1944 Disbanded

Commanders (with date of appointment)

Lt Col J S Holtoner: 11 Sep 1942
Lt Col W W Korges: 2 Jun 1943
Lt Col Cy Wilson: 10 Aug 1943-unkn

Main Bases

Iceland: 11 Sep 1942-18 March 1944

Component Units

Squadron Dates Aircraft Used
33rd Fighter Squadron 1942-44  
50th Fighter Squadron 1942-44  
337th Fighter Squadron 1942  

 

Assigned To

squadron

How to cite this article: Rickard, J (4 December 2015), 342nd Composite Group (USAAF) , http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/342nd_Composite_Group.html

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