Air War WW2 Portal 
December 1942
TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s and later B-17s, bomb El Aouina Airfield with P-38s escorting both forces.
In the Djedeida area, P-38s on a sweep attack tanks northwest of the town.
A German counterattack is launched toward Tebourba, inflicting heavy tank losses on the BLADE Force, which, along with part of the US 1st Armored Division, was prepared to attack Tunis on the following day.
WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s and B-26s bomb the El Aouina Airfield; B-17s hit the Sidi Ahmed Airfield and Bizerte harbor;
and B-25s attack AA guns near the Gabes Airfield.
P-38s provide escort and fly reconnaissance missions and sweeps, claiming eight aircraft and one tank destroyed.
The British First Army withstands another German counterattack on Tebourba.
Headquarters 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) is established at La Senia, Algeria upon arrival from England.
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit the docks and shipping at Bizerte harbor;
radar warned the Germans of the approach of the bombers and Bf 109s jumped the escorting P-38s shooting down three with two more missing; two Bf 109s are shot down.
DB-7s, with P-38s as escort, bomb the El Aouina Airfield.
Spitfires and P-38s fly patrols and photographic reconnaissance over wide areas of Northwest Africa, and carry out fighter sweeps during which several ground targets, including the Gabes, Tunisia Airfield, are attacked.
The British First Army withdraws from Tebourba as German forces, through continuous attacks, occupy the city during the night of 3/4 Dec.
FRIDAY, 4 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb shipping and docks at Bizerte while B-26s, with fighter escort, attack the same target a half hour later.
B-17s, F-4s and P-38s fly reconnaissance, while other P-38s attack vehicles and troop concentrations, mainly in the Gabes and Sfax areas.
SATURDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the docks and shipping at Tunis; B-25s hit the Sidi Ahmed Airfield; and DB-7s follow shortly with a raid on Sidi Ahmed while another small force of DB-7s hits Faid.
Each raid is escorted by P-38s. P-38s fly reconnaissance over wide areas of Tunisia, a B-17 photographs the Sousse-Sfax-Gabes, Tunisia area while an F-4 flies photographic reconnaissance over southern Sardinia.
SUNDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s, with fighter escort, bomb the bridge over the Medjerda River at El Bathan.
P-38s and F-4s fly patrols and reconnaissance missions over parts of Algeria and Tunisia.
In ground fighting in Tunisia, a German attack penetrates positions of the US 1st Armored Division, which is operating with the British First Army, on the El Guettar Mountains.
HQ, 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with B-17s and F-4s arrives at La Senia, Algeria from England.
"A" Flight has been operating from Algeria since 18 Nov; "B" and "C" Flights remain in the US until Jan 44.
MONDAY, 7 DECEMBER 1942 (Anniversary of Pearl Harbor)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack docks and shipping at Bizerte.
Escorted DB-7s attack tanks in the Tebourba-El Bathan area where elements of the British First Army continue to be hard pressed.
Other DB-7s sent to bomb at La Hencha and Sousse abort because of bad weather.
P-38s and P-40s fly numerous reconnaissance missions over the Sousse-Sfax-Gabes area and patrols over Oran, Algeria while B-17s and F-4s fly photographic reconnaissance over the Sousse-Sfax-Gabes area and the Tunis-Bizerte area.
Ground fighting subsides as German attacks in the Tebourba area decrease in intensity.
The air echelons of the 328th and 330th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), based in England with B-24s, begins operating from Tafaraoui, Algeria on TDY.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, fighters of the 31st and 52d Fighter Groups patrol in the Oran-La Senia-Tafaraoui area. Weather prevents operations of all bomber and fighter units in eastern Algeria.
The British First Army receives permission to withdraw from areas west of Tebourba and east of Medjez el Bab to more favorable positions slightly to the west from which to prepare for the move on Tunis.
WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, heavy rains stop most air operations in eastern Algeria and Tunisia; a few P-38s fly reconnaissance south of Gafsa.
In Algeria, P-40s fly an intercept mission over Youks-les-Bains, damaging one enemy aircraft.
THURSDAY, 10 DECEMBER 42
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Due to heavy rains and waterlogging of airfields, aerial activity in the Algeria-Tunisia area practically ceases.
On the ground, Allied troops repulse another armored and infantry attack on Medjez el Bab.
During the night of 10/11 Dec, elements of the British 78 Division and the US 1st Armored Division begin a withdrawal to the Bedja area to refit.
The Americans sustain heavy loss of equipment as they withdraw.
HQ 3d Photographic Group is established at La Senia, Algeria after transfer from England.
FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force creates five area commands covering Northwest Africa from the west coast of Morocco to the east coast of Tunisia. From west to east they are:
Moroccan Composite Wing (Colonel Rosenham R Beam)
Western Algerian Composite Wing (Colonel Lawrence P Hickey)
Central Algerian Composite Wing (Colonel Paul L Williams)
XII Bomber Command (Colonel Charles T Phillips)
XII Fighter Command (Brigadier General Blackburn)
In Tunisia, B-25s with fighter escort, attack the rail bridge at La Hencha while P-38s fly sea patrol off the north coast and over the Gulf of Tunis and reconnaissance over the Sousse region.
Spitfires sweep over Medjez el Bab and Bone.
SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, with P-38 escort, bomb the rail facilities and harbor area at Tunis; B-26s on a mission to bomb at Sousse or La Hencha abort due to very bad weather; and P-38s and P-40s fly widespread reconnaissance operations.
HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and its 16th, 17th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, which have been operating from North Africa since Nov, are established at Blida, Algeria upon arrival from England.
SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, 15 B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit the harbor and docks at Tunis.
Over Bizerte, ten B-17s of the 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) bomb the harbor and docks; they are followed shortly by 19 B-24s of the 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), which are TDY from England, which attack the same targets.
Meanwhile, six B-25s of the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) hit the harbor area at Sousse while B-26s blast a bridge north of Sfax; P-38s escort both missions.
Other P-38s attack several targets including vehicles north of Gabes and a schooner off Cape Dimasse.
In other action, P-38s, P-40s and Spitfires fly reconnaissance and patrols over much of Northwest Africa and C-47s fly 17 transport missions between various points in Northwest Africa.
The 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25s, moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria and flies its first combat mission.
MONDAY, 14 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, B-24s bomb the harbor and shipping at Bizerte while B-17s hit similar targets at Tunis.
DB-7s made two attacks on the marshaling yard at Sfax escorted by P-38s and P-40s.
P-38s attack vessels off the northern Tunisian coast, the road between Tunis and Bizerte, a train near Kerker, trucks near Chaaba, and El Djem, and a train near La Hencha.
P-40s fly sweeps; F-4s carry out photographic reconnaissance over areas of Tunisia; and C-47s fly 19 transport missions between various points in Northwest Africa.
The 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with A-20s moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Youks-les-Bains, Algeria and enters combat.
TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, B-26s attack El Aouina Airfield while B-17s bomb the harbor area and other B-17s hit the harbor at Bizerte.
F-4s fly several photographic reconnaissance missions over coastal Tunisia covering the area from Bizerte to Gabes; fighters fly routine patrols; and C-47s carry out numerous courier and transport missions in Northwest Africa.
WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s bomb the rail junction east of Mateur and hit the town area of Massicault and the nearby vehicle dispersal area; P-38s attack ships off the north coast scoring a hit on one vessel; other P-38s fly reconnaissance mission, exchanging ineffective fire with enemy aircraft; and the 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) flies its first mission with A-20s.
The 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group with C-47s moves from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Casablanca, French Morocco.
The 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group establishes HQ at Blida, Algeria upon arrival from England.
The air echelon has been operating from Maison Blanche, Algeria since 11 Nov.
THURSDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, French Admiral Jean Darlan announces that French Fleet units at Alexandria, Dakar and North African ports are joining the Allies.
In Tunisia, 36 B-17s hit the harbors and docks at Tunis and Bizerte, claiming damage to both targets and the destruction of one vessel and three aircraft at Tunis.
DB-7s and A-20s hit military installations north and west of Gabes Airfield and the landing ground near Sidi Tabet; B-25s and B-26s sent on a shipping raid in the Gulf of Tunis fail to find the target; and P-38s and Spitfires escort all bombing missions.
Other P-38s on a sea mission off the northern Tunisia coast engage German aircraft in combat, claiming one destroyed; other P-38s and F-4 fly reconnaissance over Tunisia.
FRIDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): In Tunisia, 36 B-17s with 16 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group as escort , hit Bizerte harbor and shipping offshore; a direct hit is scored on one vessel.
AA and attacks by fighters result in the loss of one B-17 and four P-38s; three enemy fights are destroyed and others damaged.
B-26s with P-38 escort attack the marshaling yard at Sousse, hitting the station, roundhouse and other buildings, tracks, and a train; heavy AA accounts for the loss of two B-26s.
DB-7s with fighter escort hit the landing ground and dispersal area near Mateur and attack the railroad yards in the town.
P-38s and P-40s fly reconnaissance missions and sweeps and attack ground targets, including a train north of Sfax and trucks near Sainte-Marie-du-Zit.
SATURDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Rain curtails most aerial operations. In Tunisia, A-20s and DB-7s, with fighter escort, hit the marshaling yard at Sfax.
In Algeria, fighters fly routine patrols in the Oran area.
SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, operations are severely curtailed as a result of heavy rains.
C-47s maintain transport and courier service while fighter fly reconnaissance and scramble missions.
MONDAY, 21 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, weather prevents B-17s from bombing Sfax or the secondary target, Gabes.
P-40s destroy a tank and several cars and trucks with trailers in the Kairouan area; F-4s fly three photographic reconnaissance missions over the area between Bizerte and Gabes.
In Algeria, P-38s scramble over Youks-les-Bains and shoot down two Ju 88s and C-47s continue transport and courier missions.
HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) and its 37th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) with B-26s is established at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
The 379th, 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25s moves from French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria.
TUESDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, a solid overcast prevents B-17s from bombing Bizerte or alternate targets of Sousse and Sfax.
P-40s shoot up a train in Kairouan and destroy trucks on the Sfax-Faid road.
F-4s continue reconnaissance bwteen Bizerte and the Gabes-Medenine area.
On the ground, the British 5 Corps of the First Army renews the drive on Tunis.
2 Coldstream Guards attack Djebel el Ahmera (Longstop Hill) northeast of Medjez el Bab.
The 432d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-26s establishes HQ at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
WEDNESDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, total cloud cover causes B-17s, escorted by P-38s, to abort the bombing mission against Tunis and Bizerte Airfields.
On the ground, elements of the US 1st Infantry Division, after relieving 2 Coldstream Guards on Djebel el Ahmera, are forced to withdraw by a German counterattack.
In Algeria, Spitfires fly routine patrol over the Oran-Tafaraoui area.
The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-26s establishes HQ at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
THURSDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1942 (CHRISTMAS EVE)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, French Admiral Jean Darlan is assassinated in Algiers; General Henry Giraud becomes acting French ruler of African colonies.
In Tunisia, four P-40s attack a bridge north of Gabes.
During a conference with Lieutenant General Eisenhower, Lieutenant General Sir Kenneth A Anderson, Commanding General British First Army, decides to cease the attack on Tunis until after the rainy season.
On the ground, British forces retake positions on Djebel el Ahmera.
HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria.
HQ 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-26s is established at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
The squadron will enter combat on 30 Dec.
HQ 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons, 82d Fighter Group with P-38s is established at Tafaraoui, Algeria upon arrival from the UK.
The squadrons will enter combat tomorrow.
FRIDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1942 (CHRISTMAS DAY)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40s bomb a troop concentration at Sfax while P-38s sent to bomb a convoy off northern Tunisia fail to sight any ships.
On the ground, the Germans retake Djebel el Ahmera.
HQ 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with F-4s moves from French Morocco to Algiers, Algeria.
SATURDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, with fighter escort, hit the harbor and shipping at Bizerte; heavy AA and fighter attacks account for two B-17s and two P-38s shot down; P-38s claim two Fw 190s destroyed.
Other B-17s, with P-40 escort, bomb the harbor and shipping at Sfax; three enemy vessels are claimed sunk.
P-38s on reconnaissance attack locomotives and motor vehicles south of Tunis and west of Sousse.
P-40s strafe barges off Sousse, destroying one of them, and strafe ground targets during reconnaissance over the Kairouan-Sousse-Kasserine area.
During the night of 26/27 Dec, C-47s drop a detachment of US paratroops at a bridge north of El Djem.
HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and its 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light) with A-20s is established at Ste-Barbe-du-Tlelat, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
The group will enter combat on 6 Jun 43.
SUNDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, escorted by P-38s, bomb the shipping and dock facilities at Sousse, damaging docks and warehouses and claiming direct hits on four vessels while P-38s and P-40s fly several reconnaissance missions.
In Algeria, Spitfires patrol Oran and Bone.
On the ground, the British First Army repels an attack in the Medjez el Bab area.
MONDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the dock and harbor installations at Sousse.
while P-38s fly escort; P-38s and P-40s on patrol and reconnaissance missions claim four enemy aircraft downed in combat and several vehicles destroyed at various points; and F-4s fly reconnaissance over the Tunis, Sousse and Sfax areas.
In Algeria, Spitfires patrol the Oran and Bone areas.
TUESDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s attack Sousse docks and harbor; P-38s provide escort.
DB-7s and A-20 hit bridges at La Hencha while escorting P-40s strafe flatcars and a locomotive at Sainte-Juliette.
P-38s attack a tank depot southeast of Pont-du-Fahs; DB-7s and A-20s follow with an attack on the same target.
P-38s and P-40s fly reconnaissance missions and patrols over wide areas of Algeria and Tunisia.
WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s with P-38 escort, attack docks and the marshaling yard at Sfax; B-25s, escorted by P-38s, follow with an attack on the same marshaling yard.
DB-7s hit a troop concentration near Gabes, this attack being followed by an A-20 raid on the airfield.
During the afternoon, more DB-7s, with P-38 and P-40 escort, hit Gabes, concentrating on the airfield.
A-20s hit a fuel dump at El Aouinet; on the return flight, escorting P-40s strafe near El Guettar.
P-40s and F-4s fly uneventful reconnaissance missions.
In Libya, P-38s fly two reconnaissance missions to Tripoli, one flight destroying several truck on the return trip.
THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1942 (NEW YEAR'S EVE)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, light bombers, with fighter escort, make two attacks on Sousse, bombing the railroad yards and docks.
Escorted B-17s hit the harbor area of Sfax while B-26s, with fighter escort, hit the airfield area at Gabes and shipping and rail bridges in the Bizerte-Tunis area.
P-38s and P-40s, flying reconnaissance, destroy several vehicles.
Source:
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
used sources by McKillop:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
