If anyone knows the tactical aircraft markings used by this group
while assigned to the Twelfth AAF I would appreciate hearing from you.

Bob

Hi Bob...............it seems that the only one of it's 4 squadrons with regular unit markings was the 111th O.S (later R.S and T.R.S ); the A-20s, P-39s and B-17s used for a few months only had standard insigniae .
The P-51 Apaches (4-cannon)in the 154th O.S. had serials on the rear fuselage, large 40" fuselage insignia outlined yellow and yellow wing bands ( 15-18 "wide ) as on early RAF Mustangs but further outboard ( 9" inboard of ailerons ). Some had a US flag decal on the vertical tail (apparently for the benefit of the French).

The P-51s, F-6As and F-6Cs in the 111th had a 2-letter code on the rear fuselage in white or yellow ---first letter for flight, second for aircraft eg.. 42-103018 was " CK " in yellow on olive drab. The F-6s did not usually have the wing bands but red spinners ( the theatre marking) were usual from late 1943. On P-51s ( only ) the squadron insignia ( unofficial)was on the left nose---a large white cloud with a camera- and binocular-carrying insect and legend "Snoopers" ..On later metal finish Mustangs the codes were black; the 111th was transferred to the Ninth AF in Oct. 1944 and changed code to " N5 " with diagonal vertical tail stripes ( probably red but some say green ).

The 68th's other 3 squadrons---16th, 122nd and 154th. --were re-assigned and re-designated.    Regards  Nick

Hey Nick,

Great information, just the stuff I was looking for.

You mentioned an unofficial squadron insignia for
the 111thTRS. If you happen to have this image on
file I would sure appreciate your forwarding it to me.
I'm always on the hunt for images of this nature.

Thanks again for the tactical markings info.

Best regards,
Bob

P.S.

Nick; say 'Hi' to Peter Randell for me next time you talk to him.

Bob

Bob            this is the 111th insignia as on their P-51s, please note these Mustangs were 51-NAs ( NA-91s ) with 4-cannon and no letter designation equivalent to the RAF Mustang 1A; they were called "Apache" originally but then "Mustang" in line with later versions (as was the A-36 Invader).
As applied the cloud would be white but like all "non-authorised" insigniae, colours would be open to interpretation.
I'm pretty sure the 122nd didn't have any particular markings, they were only operating for 3 months before taking up a training role in Morocco and Algeria.
 
You may know Peter is moving to France soon, but no doubt "Little Friends" will continue to flourish as will the memory of those it honours.                                         Nick

The badge..............N

Attached Image(s)

Nick,

Your the man! This solves a mystery that has been plaguing me for years.
Some time in the mid 1980's I came across a photograph in an old copy of
Impact put out during the war. This photo depicted a P-51 with the image you
just sent me painted on the cowling. In the background was another ship
with the identical image, obviously a unit designator, but for security reasons
I suppose, the specific Squadron/Group to which these aircraft were assigned
was not mentioned.

Now I know! Many thanks.

I sure hope Peter's move to France won't affect the outstanding work on his web
site. 'Littlefriends' is a remarkable tribute to the men of the Eighth AAF and the
Allied war effort in general, I'd sure hate to see it go away.

Best regards,
Bob

Nick,  Hello.  I'm new to the group and your the first e-mail within.  My iterest lies with trying to find out all I can about my Uncle, 1st LT Frederick Leroy Horanic, whom I'm named after.  He was shot down and killed Christmas Day 1944 in France and is buried in Lorraine.  He was with the 111th TRS and had attended single engine fighter school and flew a P51.  I found reference to him in an article about a Capt Victor Gentz from the Dakotas, but he dies several months after Fred.  The article talks about he and his wingman "my Uncle" being on a mission inside Germany when they were jumped by 20 ME-109s, each downing an aircraft and damageing several others.  That was on Dec 11th 1944.  I lost my Father in 1980. and have no one else to tell me about it.  Perhaps some one i n this group my know something.  One pilot suggested that at that time he may have transitioned into a P-38?

Fred

Fred      I know you shouldn't say "never" but I'm pretty sure the 111th only had F-6s and P-51s; plus a few utility types. At the time you mention the 111th had been tranferred from Twelfth AF to the Provisional Recon. Group ( by coincidence see my previous post); they were supporting Seventh Army approaching the German frontier.            Nick

i wonder if you have any particular knowledge concerning the fighter tactics center at berechid I and berechid II? from what i have read in usaaf chronology were 122nd liaison squadron and 16th reconnaissance squadron part of the center? it operated from at least february 1943 til ? using curtis p-40's, lockheed p-38's, bell p-39's and supermarine spitfires. they trained u.s and french pilots. can you help? thanks,hal whiteman.