3rd Scouting Force
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5293 - The insignia of the 3rd Scouting Force, 8th Air Force.
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 94th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 12176432 / O-712476
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 3rd Scouting Force
- Service Numbers: O-751721
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15171157 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bomber / Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron 38th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 493rd Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron 82nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 3rd Scouting Force
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
