70th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF)

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

History

The 70th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) was a home based unit that was used to help with the training of army units.

The group was activated in September 1941 and was equipped with a mix of liaison aircraft, P-39 Airacobras, B-25 Mitchells and A-20 Bostons to give it a representative range of reconnaissance types.

Soon after the unit was activated the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. From 7 December 1941 until September 1942 the group was used to fly anti-submarine patrols off the US Pacific coast, looking out for any possible Japanese attackers.

For the rest of its existence the unit was used to support training operations. It carried out artillery spotting and reconnaissance services for units in training and during more major manoeuvres on the West Coast, and was also used to simulate fighter and bomber support.

The group was disbanded in the United States on 30 November 1943.

Books

 

Aircraft

Douglas O-46 , North American O-47 , North American B-25 Mitchell, Douglas A-20 Boston/ Havoc, Bell P-39 Airacobra, Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper, Piper L-4 Grasshopper, Stinson L-5 Sentinel, Interstate L-6 Grasshopper

Timeline

21 August 1941 Constituted as 70th Observation Group
13 September 1941 Activated
April 1943 Redesignated 70th Reconnaissance Group
August 1943 Redesignated 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group
30 November 1943 Disbanded

Commanders (with date of appointment)

Maj Hillford R Wallace: Sep 1941
Maj Wallace J O'Daniels: c.1 Apr 1942
Maj G Robert Dodson: c. 3 May 1942
Col Don W Mayhue: c. 9 May 1942
Lt Col G Robert Dodson: c. 3 Nov 1942
Lt Col Stanley R Stewart: c. 3 Dec 1942
Lt Col G Robert Dodson: c. 3 Jan 1943- unkn.

Main Bases

Gray Field, Wash: 13 Sep 1941
Salinas AAB, Calif: Mar 1943
Redmond AAFld, Ore: 15 Aug 1943
Corvallis AAFld, Ore: Oct 1943
Will Rogers Field, Okla: c. 14-30 Nov 1943

Component Units

26th Tactical Reconnaissance: 1942-43
112th: 1943
116th: 1941-43
123rd: 1941-43

Assigned To

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (3 February 2015), 70th Reconnaissance Group , http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/70th_Reconnaissance_Squadron.html

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