|
The 74th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) was a home based training group that both trained air crews and operated in support of army units that were training in the United States.
The group was activated in February 1942 and equipped with a wide range of aircraft types. As a training unit it provided training in aerial reconnaissance skills, but also in the medium bombardment and fighter roles, using some of its more varied aircraft.
When operating in support of army units the group provided artillery spotting, reconnaissance, bombing, dive-bombing and ground attack aircraft to support normal training and larger manoeuvres.
The group survived for rather longer than most similar units, and wasn't inactivated until November 1945.
-
Curtiss O-52 Owl, Stinson L-1 Vigilant, Piper L-4 Grasshopper, Stinson L-5 Sentinel, North American B-25 Mitchell, Douglas A-20 Boston/ Havoc, Bell P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, North American P-51 Mustang
5 Feb 1942 | Constituted as 74th Observation Group |
27 Feb 1942 | Activated |
April 1943 | Redesignated 74th Reconnaissance Group |
August 1943 | Redesignated 74th Tactical Reconnaissance Group |
7 Nov 1945 | Inactivated |
Capt Austin H Burleigh:
1942
Maj George G Finch: c. 27 Mar 1942
Col Clarence D Wheeler: c. 7 Apr 1942
Lt Col James R Gunn Jr: 26 Oct 1943
Lt
Col Herbert A Bott: c. 10 Nov 1943
Maj
Woodrow Ramsey: 23 Apr 1944
Lt
Col Richard A Morehouse: 22 Sep 1944
Col Yancey S Tarrant: Aug 1945
Col John
T Shields: 26 Sep-7 Nov 1945.
Lawson Field, Ga: 27 Feb
1942
DeRidder, La: c. 10 Apr 1942
Esler
Field, La: c. 13 Dec 1942
Desert Center,
Calif: c. 28 Dec 1942
Morris Field, NC:
Sep 1943
Camp Campbell AAFld, Ky:
Nov 1943
DeRidder AAB, La: Apr 1944
Stuttgart AAFld, Ark: Feb-7 Nov 1945
5th: 1943
8th: 1945
11th: 1942-45
13th: 1942-45
22nd Tactical Reconnaissance: 1942-45
36th: 1943-44
101st: 1945
-