3rd Scouting Force
GroupIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
The 3rd Scouting Force was unique in that it operated P-51s and B-17s simultaneously, flying weather reconnaissance and escort missions for the 8th Air Force's Bomb Groups.
The 3rd Scouting Force became designated as the 862nd Bomb Squadron in February 1945 when the B-17s were added to their inventory. However, their C.O., Vince Masters, always claimed to command the 3SF and not the 862 BS, and he was an ex-bomber pilot!
The 3SF, including the 862nd BS, operated as a separate entity to the 493rd BG but was still attached to the Group for administrative purposes . so Vince was correct, he commanded the 3SF but not the 862nd BS. info from the 493rd BG archives.
Commanding Officers
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 3rd Scouting Force 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19078674 upon entry, then O-728691
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
Station | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
Based |
Wormingford |
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 479th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (479th Fighter Group) Headquarters (55th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-420636
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
Revisions
addition to the unit history regarding command of the 3SF and 862nd BS
493rd BG Archives
Correspondence with Peter Randall of Little Friends website: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/
See also: http://www.55th.org/
Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database