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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.
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)...
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,...
Squadron Leader James Joseph "Orange" O'Meara DSO, DFC & Bar (1919 – 1974) was a Battle of Britain Spitfire ace whose final wartime score was 11 confirmed aerial victories, two shared victories, one unconfirmed destroyed, four probables, 11 damaged and one shared damaged. Squadron Leader James Joseph "Orange"...