III Corps Observation Group
| III Corps Observation Group | |
|---|---|
Aerial photo of a column of American III Corps infantry passing through Dun-sur-Meuse, Lorainne, France, after 11 November 1918, taken by the 90th Aero Squadron
|
|
| Active | 20 September 1918 – 12 May 1919 |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 Air Service, United States Army
|
| Type | Group |
| Role | Command and Control |
| Part of | American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) |
| Engagements |
 Occupation of the Rhineland |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
 88th Aero Squadron  90th Aero Squadron |
The III Corps Observation Group was an Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I as part of the Air Service, First United States Army. It was demobilized on 12 May 1919. There is no modern United States Air Force unit that shares its lineage and history.
The III Corps Observation Group was organized on 20 September 1918 by the First Army Air Service at Souilly Aerodrome, France. It was formed after the St. Mihiel Offensive and for the purpose of operations in the forthcoming Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Its units consisted of a Headquarters Squadron, the 90th Aero Squadron, the 88th Aero Squadron, the Aéronautique Militaire N.284 Escadrille, the N.205 Escadrille, Detachment 10/13/18, and the 199th Park Squadron for logistics and transportation support.
The first efforts of the Group were directed towards organization and preparation for combat operations in the coming offensive. To this end, the 88th and 90th were designated as Corps Observation Squadrons whose duty it would be to make artillery adjustments, to perform photographic missions of the Corps front, to make long distance reconnaissances and support the 90th and 28th French Infantry together with Divisional work. The 205th French Squadron did all Corps artillery adjustments requested. The divisions the Group for which work was done in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive were the 33d, 80th, 5th, 90th, 29th and 75th of First Army. The 88th was assigned to Corps Headquarters, the 90th for the Right and Left Divisions, with the French units being assigned to Corps Artillery and the Center division in the offensive.
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