3rd Scouting Force

Group
The insignia of the 3rd Scouting Force, 8th Air Force. media-395236.jpg FRE 5293 The insignia of the 3rd Scouting Force, 8th Air Force. Roger Freeman Collection

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

Vincent W Masters

  • 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

Earl M De Generes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 487th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-764675
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant

Earl Merredeth DeGeneres

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 487th Bomb Group 55th Fighter Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19056706 / O-764675
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Fighter pilot

John Dewitt

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

David M Difley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

David M Difley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant

Aircraft

A P-51 Mustang (SX-B_, serial number 44-14095) nicknamed "Little Midget (Missy)" of the 353rd Fighter Group, flown by Lieutenant James G Bartley. Written on slide casing: 'Bartley.'

44-14095

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Little Midget My Little Angel
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 3rd Scouting Force 352nd Fighter Squadron

44-14154

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Mutt
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
The P-51 Mustang (serial number 44-14783) flown by Captain Andrew Fuller, of the 3rd Scouting Force. The green and yellow chequered pattern on the nose, denotes that the 3rd Scouting Force was attached to the 55th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide:"3SF Wormingford CAPT. ANDY FULLER'S AIRCRAFT P-51-D IONA 44 14783 CG*C 3SF"

44-14182

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 3rd Scouting Force

44-14184

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Terry Claire III
  • Unit: 364th Fighter Group 3rd Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron

44-14782

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: La Verne
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 3rd Scouting Force 352nd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorDarren Jelley
Changes
Sources

addition to the unit history regarding command of the 3SF and 862nd BS
493rd BG Archives

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Correspondence with Peter Randall of Little Friends website: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/
See also: http://www.55th.org/

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

3rd Scouting Force: Gallery (10 items)