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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.
Ioannis Agorastos "John" Plagis DSO, DFC & Bar (1919–1974) was a Southern Rhodesian ace, noted especially for his part in the defence of Malta during 1942. Plagis was the top-scoring Southern Rhodesian ace of the war, and the highest-scoring ace of Greek origin, with 16 confirmed aerial victories including 11 over Malta. Ioannis Agorastos "John" Plagis DSO,...
Major Howard Park was one of the 406th Fighter Group's best attack pilots. The group's Thunderbolts were well-known for their lavish colours. Park was the first pilot to achieve combat kills using the new HVAR rockets during the Normandy landings, and also used them to destroy a German warship in Brest harbour. Major Howard Park was one of the...
The son of an Austrian count and diplomat and British baron's daughter, Count Manfred Beckett Czernin joined the Royal Air Force in 1935. After participating in the Battle of France, he became an ace during the Battle of Britain. Flying a Hurricane on 25 August 1940, he engaged a group of Messerschmitt Bf 110 head on and shot down three of them in less... The son of an Austrian count and...
On 7 October 1940, Battle of Britain Hurricane ace Ken Mackenzie damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 and ran out of ammunition. Fearing the enemy pilot would make it back to base, Mackenzie rammed him with his satboard wing, sending it down into the sea. Mackenzie was credited with 11.5 aerial victories before he was shot down and captured in September 1941. On 7 October 1940, Battle of Britain...
Douglas Bader was one of the Royal Air Force's best-known aces in World War II. Having lost both his legs in a flying accident prior to the war, he managed to return to flying status and was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged before he was shot down and captured in... Douglas Bader was one of the Royal...
F/L James Nicolson was the only Fighter Command pilot to receive the Victoria Cross during World War II. On 16 August 1940, his aircraft was hit by enemy cannon fire and began to burn. As Nicolson was about to bail out, he realized his opponent had overshot him. He climbed back in the burning cockpit and shot him down, receiving grievous burn injuries in... F/L James Nicolson was the only...
The successful Operation Taxable was designed to create the illusion that a large invasion force was headed for the beaches of the Seine Maritime, thus distracting German forces from the actual landing in Normandy. Heavy bombers were required to fly a very precise pattern at low altitude near the French coast, dropping chaff at regular intervals to... The successful Operation Taxable was...
The successful Operation Taxable was designed to create the illusion that a large invasion force was headed for the beaches of the Seine Maritime, thus distracting German forces from the actual landing in Normandy. Heavy bombers were required to fly a very precise pattern at low altitude near the French coast, dropping chaff at regular intervals to... The successful Operation Taxable was...
Walter Cook was the first 56th FG pilot to score an aerial victory and later became an ace with 6 kills to his credit. Walter Cook was the first 56th FG...