Air War WW2 Portal 
8th Air Force Europe in February 1942
FRIDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR
(HQ US Army): The War Department announces the creation of the US-British
Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) in Washington, DC.
THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR
(8th Air Force): Lieutenant General Henry H (Hap) Arnold indicates that 16
heavy bomber groups, 3 pursuit groups, and 8 photo-reconnaissance squadrons
will be sent to the UK during 1942. Brigadier General Asa N Duncan,
Commanding General 8th Air Force, requests that his force, inadequate for its
intended mission under Operation GYMNAST (early Allied plan for the seizure
of Casablanca and the invasion of NW Africa), be strengthened by several
bombardment and pursuit groups. This move, if carried out, would require
diversion of units originally intended for other task forces.
SUNDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO): In the UK, Lieutenant Colonel Townsend
Griffiss, aide to Major General James E Chaney, is killed when the aircraft
in which he is a passenper is mistakenly shot down by Royal Air Force (RAF)
Polish fliers. He is the first US airman to die in the line of duty in Europe
since the US entered World War II. The 8th Air Force base at Bushy Park is later
named Camp Griffiss in his honor.
FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [ETO, Army Air Forces in Britain (AAFIB)]:
Brigadier General Ira C Eaker arrives in the UK with 6 staff officers.
MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Bomber Command
arrives at Daws Hill, England from the US; Major General Ira C Eaker assumes
command.
WEDNESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [ETO, US Army Forces in British Isles
(USAFBI)]: Major General James E Chaney, Commanding General USAFBI, instructs
Brigadier General Ira C Eaker and the staff of the VIII Bomber Command to
proceed to HQ, RAF Bomber Command for a study of bombing operations, and to make
reconnaissance of certain airfields and submit plans for the reception and
assignment of Army Air Forces units.
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
