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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.
Wg Cdr Bernard Duperier was one of the leading Free French fighter leaders, and commanded the "Ile de France" and "Alsace" fighter groups of the RAF. He was also an ace with 6 aerial victories, and one shared. Wg Cdr Bernard Duperier was one of...
Richard Hillary was a Battle of Britain 5-kill ace, who is best known for his book The Last Enemy based upon his experiences during the Battle of Britain. He was killed in a training accident in 1943. Richard Hillary was a Battle of...
Roland Robert Stanford Tuck DSO, DFC & Two Bars, AFC (1 July 1916 – 5 May 1987) joined the RAF in 1935. Tuck first engaged in combat during the Battle of France, over Dunkirk, claiming his first victories. At the time of his capture in early 1942, Tuck had claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, six probably destroyed, six damaged... Roland Robert Stanford Tuck DSO, DFC...
Jean Demozay, one of the first Free French pilots to join the RAF, flew in the final days of the Battle of Britain. His score steadily increased during the war, with a final score of 21 confirmed aerial kills and two probables, making him the third highest-scoring French ace of the conflict. Jean Demozay, one of the first Free...
Eric Stanley Lock DSO, DFC & Bar (19 April 1919 – 3 August 1941) was one of the most famous aces of the RAF during the early years of the conflict. By the time he went missing in action, he had shot down 26 enemy aircraft, 20 of which were fighters. Eric Stanley Lock DSO, DFC & Bar...
John C. Meyer was the fourth highest-scoring American ace in Europe with 24 aerial victories and 13 aircraft destroyed on the ground. By the time an accident put an end to his combat flying, he had flown 200 combat missions. He remained with the Air Force after the war and later became the Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command. John C. Meyer was the fourth...
With 16.5 aerial victories, Eugeniusz 'Dziubek' Horbaczewski stands as the third highest-scoring Polish ace of the war. He was killed in combat on August 18, 1944. With 16.5 aerial victories, Eugeniusz...
One of the greatest fighter pilots ever, Blakeslee led the 4th FG to become the leading American fighter unit in Europe. Discreet by nature, Blakeslee's aircraft was never decorated. He is credited with 15.5 aerial and 2 ground victories but some sources suggest his actual score to be much higher. He flew over 500 combat missions in 1,000 hours, more than... One of the greatest fighter pilots...