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Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was the Anglo–American invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War. It was aimed at reducing pressure on Allied forces in Egypt, and enabling an invasion of Southern Europe. It also provided the ‘second front’ which the Soviet Union had been requesting since it was invaded by the Germans in 1941. The region was dominated by the Vichy French, officially in collaboration with Germany, but with mixed loyalties, and reports indicated that they might support the Allied initiative. The American General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commanding the operation, planned a three-pronged attack, aimed at Casablanca (Western), Oran (Center) and Algiers (Eastern), in advance of a rapid move on Tunis.
Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, later called the Dam Busters, using a purpose-built "bouncing bomb" developed by Barnes Wallis.
Operation Chastise took place during the night of 16-17 May 1943 and was meant to destroy dams in the industrial Rühr region. Bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis were dropped by specially-modified Lancasters led by Guy Gibson, and succeeded in breaching two of the three dams. Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the raid. Operation Chastise took place during...
Operation Chastise took place during the night of 16-17 May 1943 and was meant to destroy dams in the industrial Rühr region. Bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis were dropped by specially-modified Lancasters led by Guy Gibson, and succeeded in breaching two of the three dams. Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the raid. Operation Chastise took place during...
Operation Chastise took place during the night of 16-17 May 1943 and was meant to destroy dams in the industrial Rühr region. Bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis were dropped by specially-modified Lancasters led by Guy Gibson, and succeeded in breaching two of the three dams. Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the raid. Operation Chastise took place during...
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO* DFC* (1918-1944), was the first CO of the RAF's 617 Squadron, which he led in the Dam Busters raid (Operation Chastise) in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, but lost his life later in the war. He had completed over 170 operations at the age of... Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC...
George F. "Buzz" Beurling DSO, DFC, DFM* (1921-1948) became Canada’s highest-scoring ace of World War II, claiming 30 and one shared destroyed enemy aircraft, one probably destroyed enemy aircraft, and nine damaged, between 1 May 1942 and 30 December 1943. George F. "Buzz" Beurling DSO, DFC,...
Lionel "Elmer" Gaunce DFC was credited with 6 confirmed aerial victories, 3 probables and 6 damaged before he was killed in action in November 1941. Lionel "Elmer" Gaunce DFC was...
Anthony Desmond Joseph Lovell DSO* DFC* was credited with 16 confirmed aerial victories and six shared. He was killed in a flying accident in August 1945. Anthony Desmond Joseph Lovell DSO*...
Edgar Norman Ryder DFC (1914-1995) was credited with 8 aerial victories and became a Prisoner of War in late 1941. Edgar Norman Ryder DFC (1914-1995)...
Arthur Richard "Big" Elcock was credited with 8 aerial victories. Sadly, he only survived the war by a matter of days, as he was killed in a flying accident on 14 May 1945. Arthur Richard "Big" Elcock was...
Major General Carroll W. McColpin (1914–2003) first flew with the RAF's Egale Squadron before transferring to the USAAF. He was credited with 12 kills, 5 probable, and 12 damaged while in RAF service and another 8 confirmed kills while in the USAAF. Major General Carroll W. McColpin...
Major General Chesley G. Peterson (1920–1990) entered the conflict as a pilot of the RAF's Eagle Squadrons, which later became the US 4th Fighter Group. Peterson flew a total of 130 war missions and was credited with 9 aerial victories and 9 probables. Major General Chesley G. Peterson...
Duane Willard Beeson (1921–1947) scored 22.08 victories, including 17.3 air-to-air kills,12 of which were scored in the P-47C/D Thunderbolt, and 5.3 of which were scored in the P-51B Mustang. Beeson initially flew with the RAF's Eagle Squadrons and was one of ten USAAF pilots to became an ace in two different types of aircraft. Duane Willard Beeson (1921–1947)...
Duane Willard Beeson (1921–1947) scored 22.08 victories, including 17.3 air-to-air kills,12 of which were scored in the P-47C/D Thunderbolt, and 5.3 of which were scored in the P-51B Mustang. Beeson initially flew with the RAF's Eagle Squadrons and was one of ten USAAF pilots to became an ace in two different types of aircraft. Duane Willard Beeson (1921–1947)...