- Home
- History
- OPS
-
Personnel
- Pilots
- 4th Headquarters - Ground
- 334 - Ground
- 335 - Ground
- 336 - Ground
- 438th Air Service Group >
-
33rd Service Group
>
- 33rd Service Group Detachment A Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
- 45th Service Squadron
- 24th Station Complement Squadron
- 1770th OS&M Company
- 1126th Quartermaster Company
- 2119th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon
- 1030th Signal Company
- 1063rd Military Police Company
- 30th Postal Regulating Section/128th Army Postal Unit / 18th Weather Squadron
- Images
- News
- Publications
- The A4FG
- Forum
- Contact Us
33rd Service Group
Group Origins
The 33rd Service Group was activated at Mitchell Field, New York on 15 January 1941 with the designation 33rd Air Base Group. In April, three squadrons were formed: Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, the 45th Materiel Squadron (which became the 45th Service Squadron) and the 34th Air Base Squadron. Also in April the group was relocated to Grenier Field , New Hampshire. Shortly thereafter it was "placed under jurisdiction the Air Service Command and redesignated the 33rd Service Group" in July 1942. It would remain at Grenier Field until 26 December 1942, when it was ordered to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in preparation for going overseas.
Between its activation and embarkation aboard a transport on 6 January 1943, the 33rd was reorganized on several occasions to conform to the developing structure of a USAAF service group. Upon arrival in Gourock, Scotland the group travelled by rail to its new home at Station F-367 in Kingscliffe. On 5 April 1943 the group was ordered to relocate to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith. In July it would be moved again to Station F-365 in Halesworth before being relocated to its final home at Station F-150 in Boxted.
The 33rd Air Service Group was tasked with providing a wide range of services for two fighter groups, the 56th and the 4th. For the duration of its service, 33rd Service Group Headquarters was located at the Station hosting the 56th Fighter Group. The organization in place at Debden had its own Headquarters, designated Detachment "A." This served as a local HQ for those 'detached' to Debden, but was subordinate to the group HQ. For a thorough description of the makeup of a service group, please check out the article on aviation service squadrons here.
On 16 February 1943, the initial cadre of nine officers and forty-nine enlisted men left Station F-367 for detached service at Station F-356 in Debden. These men formed the nucleus of Detachment "A" Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 33rd Service Group.
The 33rd Service Group was activated at Mitchell Field, New York on 15 January 1941 with the designation 33rd Air Base Group. In April, three squadrons were formed: Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, the 45th Materiel Squadron (which became the 45th Service Squadron) and the 34th Air Base Squadron. Also in April the group was relocated to Grenier Field , New Hampshire. Shortly thereafter it was "placed under jurisdiction the Air Service Command and redesignated the 33rd Service Group" in July 1942. It would remain at Grenier Field until 26 December 1942, when it was ordered to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in preparation for going overseas.
Between its activation and embarkation aboard a transport on 6 January 1943, the 33rd was reorganized on several occasions to conform to the developing structure of a USAAF service group. Upon arrival in Gourock, Scotland the group travelled by rail to its new home at Station F-367 in Kingscliffe. On 5 April 1943 the group was ordered to relocate to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith. In July it would be moved again to Station F-365 in Halesworth before being relocated to its final home at Station F-150 in Boxted.
The 33rd Air Service Group was tasked with providing a wide range of services for two fighter groups, the 56th and the 4th. For the duration of its service, 33rd Service Group Headquarters was located at the Station hosting the 56th Fighter Group. The organization in place at Debden had its own Headquarters, designated Detachment "A." This served as a local HQ for those 'detached' to Debden, but was subordinate to the group HQ. For a thorough description of the makeup of a service group, please check out the article on aviation service squadrons here.
On 16 February 1943, the initial cadre of nine officers and forty-nine enlisted men left Station F-367 for detached service at Station F-356 in Debden. These men formed the nucleus of Detachment "A" Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 33rd Service Group.
Detachment "A" 1030th Signal Company
The 1030th Signal Company was activated in January 1941 as the 30th Signal Platoon, and was based at Mitchell Field, New York along with other units assigned to the 33rd Service Group. Original complement consisted of one Officer and thirteen Enlisted Men taken from the 316th Signal Company (AVN) already based at Mitchell Field. On 1 July 1942 the unit was redesignated the 30th Signal Company Service Group. Strength had risen to two Officers, one Warrant Officer and 70 Enlisted Men. Its movement mirrored that of the 33rd ASG.
Upon arrival, the 30th Signal Company took up residence at Station F-367 at Kingscliffe. The unit would soon move first to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith and ultimately to Station F-150 at Boxted. By the beginning of May, 1943 the 30th Signal Company was redesignated the 1030th Signal Company.
On 13 February 1943, Lt. Cosmo Reo and 30 Enlisted Men were sent to Station F-356 at Debden "on Detached Service to operate communications there." Lt. Reo was designated Station Signal Officer. By the beginning of May, 1943, the organzation at Debden was redesignated Detachment "A" 1030th Signal Company.
The 1030th Signal Company was activated in January 1941 as the 30th Signal Platoon, and was based at Mitchell Field, New York along with other units assigned to the 33rd Service Group. Original complement consisted of one Officer and thirteen Enlisted Men taken from the 316th Signal Company (AVN) already based at Mitchell Field. On 1 July 1942 the unit was redesignated the 30th Signal Company Service Group. Strength had risen to two Officers, one Warrant Officer and 70 Enlisted Men. Its movement mirrored that of the 33rd ASG.
Upon arrival, the 30th Signal Company took up residence at Station F-367 at Kingscliffe. The unit would soon move first to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith and ultimately to Station F-150 at Boxted. By the beginning of May, 1943 the 30th Signal Company was redesignated the 1030th Signal Company.
On 13 February 1943, Lt. Cosmo Reo and 30 Enlisted Men were sent to Station F-356 at Debden "on Detached Service to operate communications there." Lt. Reo was designated Station Signal Officer. By the beginning of May, 1943, the organzation at Debden was redesignated Detachment "A" 1030th Signal Company.
1063rd Military Police Company
The 1063rd Military Police Company arrived at Station F-356 on 20 May 1943. Upon arrival, the company was divided evenly, with Deatchment "A" being sent initially to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith. Capt. Tyler Combs was appointed Provost Marshall (unit CO) with Lt. Charles Roden as his Executive Officer (assistant Provost Marshall). Original complement consisted of two Officers and forty-nine Enlisted Men. On 22 May, the unit took over the "all Station Posts and Town Patrols."
The 1063rd Military Police Company arrived at Station F-356 on 20 May 1943. Upon arrival, the company was divided evenly, with Deatchment "A" being sent initially to Station F-123 at Horsham St. Faith. Capt. Tyler Combs was appointed Provost Marshall (unit CO) with Lt. Charles Roden as his Executive Officer (assistant Provost Marshall). Original complement consisted of two Officers and forty-nine Enlisted Men. On 22 May, the unit took over the "all Station Posts and Town Patrols."
Detachment "A" 1126th Quartermaster Company, Service Group (Aviation)
The unit was activated 21 April 1942 as the 173rd Quartermaster Platoon Service Center (AVN) at Borman Field in Louisville, Kentucky. The unit consisted of personnel from three disbanded Det. 1st Quartermaster Companies S.A. (37, 38 and 41). On 19 April 1943, the organization was redesignated the 1126th Quartermaster Company, Service Group (AVN).
The 1126th Quartemaster Company (AVN) embarked the SS Santa Elena on 16 July 1943 and disembarked eleven days later in Gourock, Scotland. It arrived at its home, Station F-365 at Halesworth the following day, 28 July 1943.
Detachment "A" 1126th Quartermaster Company (AVN) arrived at Station F-356 in Debden on 20 August 1943 with a strength of two Officers and thirty-five Enlisted Men. 1st Lt. Edward J. O'Brien was the Commanding Officer, with 2nd Lt. Milton Freedman as the Adjutant.
The unit was activated 21 April 1942 as the 173rd Quartermaster Platoon Service Center (AVN) at Borman Field in Louisville, Kentucky. The unit consisted of personnel from three disbanded Det. 1st Quartermaster Companies S.A. (37, 38 and 41). On 19 April 1943, the organization was redesignated the 1126th Quartermaster Company, Service Group (AVN).
The 1126th Quartemaster Company (AVN) embarked the SS Santa Elena on 16 July 1943 and disembarked eleven days later in Gourock, Scotland. It arrived at its home, Station F-365 at Halesworth the following day, 28 July 1943.
Detachment "A" 1126th Quartermaster Company (AVN) arrived at Station F-356 in Debden on 20 August 1943 with a strength of two Officers and thirty-five Enlisted Men. 1st Lt. Edward J. O'Brien was the Commanding Officer, with 2nd Lt. Milton Freedman as the Adjutant.
1770th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company (Aviation)
The unit arrived at Station F-356 from Kingscliffe in the early Spring of 1943 for the purpose of "establishing and maintaining the first Station Ordnance Office at the first American operational fighter station in the ETO." Initial unit composition consisted of elements from several units, among them the Ordnance Company Aviation (AB) Detachment, the Ordnance Company MM (Q) Detachment and the Ordnance Air Base Company. They also "borrowed a motor maintenance section from another base." Ultimately, the unit also "procured a full half of the 1085th Ordnance Company Aviation (AB)."
On 1 June 1943, the new unit was designated the 1770th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company (AVN) with 1st Lt. James Pearson commanding.
The unit arrived at Station F-356 from Kingscliffe in the early Spring of 1943 for the purpose of "establishing and maintaining the first Station Ordnance Office at the first American operational fighter station in the ETO." Initial unit composition consisted of elements from several units, among them the Ordnance Company Aviation (AB) Detachment, the Ordnance Company MM (Q) Detachment and the Ordnance Air Base Company. They also "borrowed a motor maintenance section from another base." Ultimately, the unit also "procured a full half of the 1085th Ordnance Company Aviation (AB)."
On 1 June 1943, the new unit was designated the 1770th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company (AVN) with 1st Lt. James Pearson commanding.
2119th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon
The unit was activated in April 1944 at Debden. As there weren't "enough full-strength platoons in the ETO" to meet the rapid expansion in the number of USAAF airfields in England. To help fill the gap, "reduced platoons were activated" in-theater to meet the needs of the fighter stations. The 2119th was comprised of men from several full strength platoons.
Prior to the arrival of the 2119th, the station's fire department was staffed by men from the 24th Station Complement Squadron. As this unit was "well organized," it was "decided that the newly activated Fire Fighting Platoon would not be split up between Crash Crew and Structural Crew but would be held intact to handle crash crew activities entirely and act as an emergency fire fighting force in reserve for the station fire department." This resulted in greater flexibility in the firefighting capabilities for the entire station and allowed the 2119th to split its men into two 8-man crash crews while the base buildings and structures would remain the province of the 24th's personnel.
The unit was activated in April 1944 at Debden. As there weren't "enough full-strength platoons in the ETO" to meet the rapid expansion in the number of USAAF airfields in England. To help fill the gap, "reduced platoons were activated" in-theater to meet the needs of the fighter stations. The 2119th was comprised of men from several full strength platoons.
Prior to the arrival of the 2119th, the station's fire department was staffed by men from the 24th Station Complement Squadron. As this unit was "well organized," it was "decided that the newly activated Fire Fighting Platoon would not be split up between Crash Crew and Structural Crew but would be held intact to handle crash crew activities entirely and act as an emergency fire fighting force in reserve for the station fire department." This resulted in greater flexibility in the firefighting capabilities for the entire station and allowed the 2119th to split its men into two 8-man crash crews while the base buildings and structures would remain the province of the 24th's personnel.
24th Station Complement Squadron (SP)
The squadron was activated on 20 May 1943 at Kellogg Field in Michigan along with eleven other Station Complement Squadrons. The squadron had to deal with both material and manpower shortages in the weeks prior to the move to England. On 24 July 1943, the unit received orders to proceed to New York for embarkation with a departure date of 2 August. At that time its strength was six Officers and one hundred-eight Enlisted Men. The Squadron arrived at Station F-356 on 12 August 1943.
The squadron was activated on 20 May 1943 at Kellogg Field in Michigan along with eleven other Station Complement Squadrons. The squadron had to deal with both material and manpower shortages in the weeks prior to the move to England. On 24 July 1943, the unit received orders to proceed to New York for embarkation with a departure date of 2 August. At that time its strength was six Officers and one hundred-eight Enlisted Men. The Squadron arrived at Station F-356 on 12 August 1943.
45th Service Squadron
The unit was activated as the 45th Materiel Squadron in April 1941 at Mitchell Field on Long Island, New York. While in the States, its movements generally followed those of the 33rd Headquarters Squadron. The 45th was one of two service squadrons assigned to the 33rd Service Group, the other being the 41st Service Squadron. Upon arrival in Scotland, the 45th was assigned to Debden and the Sptifire-equipped 4th Fighter Group, responsible for all 2nd and 3rd echelon maintenance.
Elements began arriving at Station F-356 on 27 January 1943. By 1 April 1943, the squadron's strength was up to six Officers, two Warrant Officers and two hundred ten Enlisted Men with Captain Sumner S. Webster in command.
The unit was activated as the 45th Materiel Squadron in April 1941 at Mitchell Field on Long Island, New York. While in the States, its movements generally followed those of the 33rd Headquarters Squadron. The 45th was one of two service squadrons assigned to the 33rd Service Group, the other being the 41st Service Squadron. Upon arrival in Scotland, the 45th was assigned to Debden and the Sptifire-equipped 4th Fighter Group, responsible for all 2nd and 3rd echelon maintenance.
Elements began arriving at Station F-356 on 27 January 1943. By 1 April 1943, the squadron's strength was up to six Officers, two Warrant Officers and two hundred ten Enlisted Men with Captain Sumner S. Webster in command.
18th Weather Squadron
The 18th Weather Squadron was not part of the 33rd Service Group, but was in fact a large 8th Air Force organization responsible for the forecasting for an area that covered most of Europe. It was comprised of six sections: Bomber, Fighter, Service, Composite, EWATC and RADIOSONDE. Each section had detachments for every station within its area of responsibility. Detachments at fighter stations did not have specific designations, but were referred to by the station number at which they resided.
Personnel of the 18th Weather Squadron began arriving at Station F-356 in April, 1943. At that time their facilities had not yet been completed. According to the detachment history, "A plot of ground, site of the proposed weather station, was all that T/Sgt J.C. Wilson, Sgts. T.W. Connor and Harold Wolf, Cpls. G.W. Locklear and Don Maxwell could find on their arrival at this old Eagle Squadron Base..."
The weather station became operational on 25 June 1943. The unit history noted that the accuracy of the detachment's forecasting was such that "one pilot, who drops into the weather office daily, wins most of his drinks by making casual bets on tomorrow's weather."
The 18th Weather Squadron was not part of the 33rd Service Group, but was in fact a large 8th Air Force organization responsible for the forecasting for an area that covered most of Europe. It was comprised of six sections: Bomber, Fighter, Service, Composite, EWATC and RADIOSONDE. Each section had detachments for every station within its area of responsibility. Detachments at fighter stations did not have specific designations, but were referred to by the station number at which they resided.
Personnel of the 18th Weather Squadron began arriving at Station F-356 in April, 1943. At that time their facilities had not yet been completed. According to the detachment history, "A plot of ground, site of the proposed weather station, was all that T/Sgt J.C. Wilson, Sgts. T.W. Connor and Harold Wolf, Cpls. G.W. Locklear and Don Maxwell could find on their arrival at this old Eagle Squadron Base..."
The weather station became operational on 25 June 1943. The unit history noted that the accuracy of the detachment's forecasting was such that "one pilot, who drops into the weather office daily, wins most of his drinks by making casual bets on tomorrow's weather."
