WW1 Aero Squadrons

[Allen]

I understand that by the end of the war the US Air Service included 185 aero squadrons, of which 45 were deployed to the front in France and 39 actually saw combat. I have searched in vain for a list of the 185 squadrons. I have come across a list of the units deployed in France but it indicates 46 aero squadrons. Can anyone clarify this discrepancy? Does anyone have an authoritative list?

Thanks,

BA

[wingstrutdotcom]

Plans were in the works to really ramp up the USAS. The plans on how many units to be operational by a certain date changed over the 1917-1918 period. If the war went on into 1919 indeed there would have been many more units.

There is a four vol set of USAS history published by USAF in 1978 which has a lot of information as to the actual plans for development of the USAS Service and deployment of units. I have this set and has a lot of good information.

As to "185" squadrons I can only assume most were "paper squadrons" but there were many training and forming by wars end.

[Allen]

The forty-five squadrons in France is a pretty consistent number. I've even seen an article with the various symbols adopted by many squadrons, including those in France. That's where I counted forty-six squadrons deployed to France though five of them were mentioned as seeing no action. These were:

1, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 41, 49, 50, 85, 88, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 100, 103, 104, 135, 138, 139, 141, 147, 148, 155, 163, 166, 168, 185, 186, 213, 248, 258, 278, 354, 638

I'm sure that there were more than a few waiting at east coast ports to ship over and others in-route by train to ports and still others undergoing training. I don't know what criteria was used to determine 185 aero squadrons in being on 11 Nov 1918. I suspect though, that if paper squadrons were counted, the number would be higher still. There were also aero construction squadrons, aero replacement squadrons and other types.

BA

[Cliff]

Allen

The 45 squadrons you list were the actual fighting squadrons (puruit, bomber and reconnaisance). The other missing numbers were assigned to
other fighting units in training but could also be flying training, maintenance, mechanics, etc. units.
There was no seperation between actual fighting sqns. and the other units training pilots or servicing aircraft. For instance the 14th Aero was a flying school sqn. and the 32nd Aero was an aircraft repair unit.
An individual search for each sqn. will sometimes yield their duties during the war. But there ARE lot to search for - the possible numbers go up to at least 638 !

Cliff

[Rick]

Alan,

I suggest you obtain a copy of Wings of Honor, subtitled 'American Airmen in WWI' by James J. Sloan, Jr. It will, at least, cover the histories of all the American Air Squadrons which actually arrived in France.

Schiffer Military/Aviation History, Atglen, PA, IBSN: 0-88740-577-0. R.

[StephenLawson]

Greetings all; Cliff is quite right and to give you some scope on this subject. The 3rd Aircraft Instructional Center at Issoudon France had 14 training fields there were at least two Aero sqdns stationed at each for cadre duties and training schedules. For instance the 31st and 101st Aero were stationed at Field Five and taught acrobatics. There were units at Orly as well. Along with all of these these units were airpark maintenance cadre and supply sqdns. The Bombing and Pursuit units required support units to feed their need for supplies and machines. These were termed Aero sqdns. 185 being in Europe is a nice round number and it is entirely possible that these units were present in one capacity or another. One of the most unique Aero units was the 6th Aero stationed in Hawaii but of course they wouldn't count. In fact there were plans for another 250-300 Aero units in he United States but budget cuts after the war stopped that.

[StephenLawson]

Forgot to mention another unit the 21st Aero was at Field Three 3rd AIC Issoudon as well.

[Zeppelin]

Do these numbers of Aero squadrons include Naval units?

Wondering,
Zeppelin