These planes became the backbone of the Army Air Corps bomber fleet in the latter part of the decade. During the 1920s and 1930s the squadron was used for service testing of new bombardment aircraft as they were developed and improved, primarily Keystone Aircraft light biplane bombers in the 1920s. The targets were an aged and surplus US battleship and four former German Navy vessels, including the battleship SMS Ostfriesland, obtained in the peace settlement after World War I and scheduled for scuttling.Īfter the completion of the demonstration, the squadron moved permanently to Langley on 30 June 1922. Its mission would be to attack captured German ships along the Atlantic coast off Virginia in a service demonstration to determine whether a battleship could be sunk by bombing. It trained with Handley Page O/400 and Martin MB-2 bombers. In May 1920 the squadron was temporarily assigned to Langley Field, Virginia and became part of the First Provisional Air Brigade under Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. bomb "near-miss" severely damages Ostfriesland at the stern hull plates During this period, the unit also operated some Martin NBS-1s and British Handley /400s.Ī 2,000 lb. After the establishment of the permanent United States Army Air Service in 1921, it was redesignated as the 20th Squadron (Bombardment). it was assigned to the new 1st Day Bombardment (later, 2d Bombardment) Group. The 20th equipped with some de Havilland DH-4 bombers and moved to Kelly Field. There most of the men were discharged from Army service and returned to civilian life.Īfter the squadron returned to the United States it re-formed with new personnel at Ellington Field, Houston Texas in June 1919. After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron returned to the United States and arrived at Mitchel Field, New York on. Mihiel offensive and Meuse-Argonne offensive during 1918. Assigned British de Havilland DH-4 aircraft with American Liberty engines, and was engaged in combat during the St. It deployed to France where it was assigned to the 1st Day Bombardment Group. Wynne, the squadron moved to Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, where it received its first training in the handling of Curtiss JN-4 and Standard J-1 aircraft. On 29 July 1917, under command of Captain W.W. The squadron was first organized as the 20th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas on. This includes Air Force (USAF), Navy (USN), Marines (USMC), and Army (USA) patches. Our military patches cover current, past, active and inactive units. Find the perfect Veteran Gift for the collector of military history.
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