page_title: 258th Aero Squadron
section_title: Combat in France
hierarchical_section_title: 258th Aero Squadron / History / Combat in France
caption_attribution_description: English: An unidentified pilot from the 258th Aero Squadron standing next to his Salmson 2A2 at Manonville Airdrome, France, November 1918
context_page_description: The 258th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.
  The squadron was assigned as a Corps Observation Squadron, performing short-range, tactical reconnaissance over the VII Corps, United States First Army sector of the Western Front in France, providing battlefield intelligence. After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron was assigned to the United States Third Army as part of the Occupation of the Rhineland in Germany. It returned to the United States in August 1919 and was demobilized.
  There is no current United States Air Force or Air National Guard successor unit.
context_section_description: Several pilots and observers were assigned to the squadron on 19 September and the 258th was designated as a Corps Observation, being assigned to the VII Corps Observation Group at Luxeuil-les-Bains Aerodrome.  Luxeuil, although in the "Zone of Advance" (the Western Front), was primarily an equipping and organizing station, but not far from the lines to operate from.  Also at Luxeuil, the squadron was equipped with 24 Salmson 2A2 reconnaissance aircraft, which were ferried from Orly Field, near Paris.   However, only five squadron pilots were available, and the 258th remained at Luxeuil awaiting additional personnel.    According to the squadron history, the members of the squadron were extremely frustrated at the time, being ready to go into combat with new airplanes, but without adequate numbers of pilots and observers.  However, the squadron took advantage of the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the local area, practicing formation flying along and over the front, although not on any ordered missions.   German Anti-Aircraft Artillery fire was received although the Germans did not challenge the Salmsons with any Fokkers or other pursuit planes.   On one patrol along the line, one of the observers noted some planes he judged to be German.
  Also, while waiting for additional pilots and observers, the 258th conducted a school for infantry officers in liaison work with observation planes.   Instruction was provided to officers of the 7th, 81st and 88th Divisions of VII Corps.  The shortage of pilots and observers meant the squadron remained at Luxeuil until 31 October when it finally was ordered into combat and moved to Mathay Aerodrome on 31 October.   Its mission was to provide reconnaissance for the French 7th Army, being the first AEF squadron to patrol around Altkirch and Mulhouse.  For the next eleven days, the squadron flew over the lines.   German aircraft were encountered but never attacked the squadron's formations, however the German Anti-Aircraft fire was very effective and active.   It then was ordered to fly reconnaissance over the city of Metz.
caption: An unidentified pilot from the 258th Aero Squadron standing next to his Salmson 2A2 at Manonville Airdrome, France, November 1918.  Note the squadron emblem on the fuselage.
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