Established in Liverpool in late 1942 to distribute supplies arriving by ship from the US to the UK. Previously distribution of incoming supplies was handled by the US Army's service of supply, until VIII Air Force service command pressed for the need to manage it own supplies due to the unsuitability of unskilled ground handlers.



The Intransit Depot group routed supplies directly to advanced depots and combat bases, and established further depots at Liverpool and Bristol in 1943, and the first Air intransit depot at Prestwick in April 1943.



The unit was later transferred to IX Air Force Service command, though retained its VIII Air Force designation. In support of D-Day the unit trained special beach squadrons who would activate service command operations on the landing ground, and enable supplies arriving from the UK to be distributed to the relevant combat units in Normandy. The Unit landed in France on 7 and 8 June to conduct this operation, but did not become fully operational in Normandy until 9 June, due to delays in landing supplies on Omaha beach.



Once operational, Intransit Group personnel identified and segregated cargo from Britain intended for the Air Forces, and prepared it for dispatch for forward operating areas.



The group was disbanded in August 1944, and replaced by the 1st Intransit Depot Group,