12th USAAF

The 12th AF is the tactical air force of the Mediterranean theater of operation (MTO). It belongs to the American air force (USAAF).

Its history

12th AF is created and activated on August 20th 1942 with the the United States.

Of at the end of August at September, it crosses the Atlantique, direction the Great Britain. In November 1942, it puts the course at the south, direction AFN (French Africa of North), and takes part in the Anglo-American unloading (Opération Torch).

The unloading being a success, it installs its bases in AFN and can thus operate on the whole of MTO. It takes part thus in the countryside of Tunisia, the unloading in Sicily (Opération Husky), in the countryside of Italy or in the unloading in Provence (Opération Anvil Dragoon). It is withdrawn from the active service on August 31st, 1945.

Its missions

12th AF is a force Tactique. In fact, its operations are related to the needs for the ground, in particular of the troops on the ground. Its objectives are thus variable:

  • Bridges

  • Nodes of communication
  • Concentration of troops
  • Coastal batteries
  • Vehicles…

Force Tactique, 12th USAAF is articulated according to specific needs, and in fact, its provision varies with the liking of the operations. Thus, its organization in the optics of the unloading of Sicily is it different from that in the optics of the unloading in Provence. However, it is always articulated around the same units of combat, that one finds in the table below.

Composition of 12th USAAF in November 1944

MATAF

XII TAC

MACAF

---- INDEX OF THE INITIALS

  • Wing : Administrative division gathering several groups

  • FG: Fighter Group (Group of Hunting)
  • BG: Bomb Group (Group of Bombardment)
  • FS: Fighter Squadron (Fighter squadron)
  • BS: Bomb Squadron (Flotilla of Bombardment)
  • NFS: Night Fighter Squadron (night Fighter squadron)
  • TCG: Transport Carrier Group (Group of transport)
  • PG: Photograph Group

Commanders of 12th USAAF

  • Roger J. Browne (26- August 28th, 1942)
  • Harold L. Neely (August 28th - September 23rd, 1942)
  • James H. Doolittle (September 23rd, 1942 - March 1st, 1943)
  • Carl A. Spaatz (March 1st - December 21st, 1943)
  • John K. Canon (December 21st, 1943 - April 2nd, 1945)
  • Benjamin W. Chidlaw (April 2nd - May 26th, 1945)
  • Charles T. Myers (May 26th - August 31st, 1945)

From day to day list missions of combat of 12th USAAF

  • November 8th, 1942 : Beginning of the Operation Torch. Engagements above the aerodrome of Senia, around Oran and Tafaraoui.

  • November 9th, 1942 : Corrosion of an armor-plated column and anti-aircraft batteries around Tafaraoui and along the coast.
  • (...)
  • August 17th, 1944 : Bombardment of the bridge of Pavia with Montpellier
  • August 24th, 1944 : Bombardment of the bridge of Pavia with Montpellier
  • May 7th, 1945 : Recognition above the Austrian Alps.
  • May 8th, 1945 : End of the missions of combat. Missions of transport and supply.

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