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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.
Franz Schieß (21 February 1921 – 2 September 1943) was a German fighter ace. He claimed 67 victories in 657 missions, (14 on the Eastern Front, and 53 against the Western Allies) whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Franz Schieß (21 February 1921 – 2...
Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff (15 September 1913 – 21 February 1994) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II with 176 aerial victories, and later a senior West German Air Force officer and military commander of NATO. Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff (15...
Heinrich Bartels (13 July 1918 – KiA 23 December 1944) was a German fighter ace in the Luftwaffe credited with 99 aerial victories. Heinrich Bartels (13 July 1918 – KiA...
Luftwaffe ace Josef "Sepp" Wurmheller (4 May 1917 – 22 June 1944) was credited with 102 enemy aircraft shot down in over 300 combat missions, mostly on the Western Front. Of his 93 victories over the Western Allies, at least 18 were four-engined bombers and 56 were against Supermarine Spitfire fighters. Luftwaffe ace Josef "Sepp" Wurmheller...