UNITED KINGDOM: Major General James E Chaney is designated Commanding General US Army Forces in British Isles USAFBI); he continues as the Chief, Special Observer Group, US Army (SPOBS).
SUNDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1942
ETO - THEATER OF OPERATIONS: In the UK, Lieutenant Colonel Townsend Griffiss, aide to Major General James E Chaney, is killed when the aircraft in which he is a passenger is mistakenly shot down by 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 8AF base at Bushy Park is later named Camp Griffiss in his honour.
Brigadier General Ira C Eaker arrives in the UK with 6 staff officers.
(8AF): HQ VIII BC arrives at Daws Hill, England from the US; Major General Ira C Eaker assumes command.
Major General James E Chaney, Commanding General USAFBI, instructs Brigadier General Ira C Eaker and the staff of the VIII BC to proceed to HQ, RAF BC for a study of bombing operations, and to make reconnaissance of certain airfields and submit plans for the reception and assignment of Army AFs units.
(HQ AAF): "Plan for Initiation of US Army Bombardment Operations in the British Isles" further elaborates previous AAF plans outlining the intention of launching strategic bombardment from the UK against facilities supporting German national, economic, and industrial structure.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [ETO, Army AFs in Britain (AAFIB)]: A report submitted by Brigadier General Ira C Eaker in compliance with Major General James E Chaney's instructions of 25 Feb indicates completion of studies of RAF BC operations and of airfields, training, tactical doctrine, equipment, and methods of conducting air offensive in cooperation with the RAF. The report also indicates much dependence upon the British for the present but emphasizes the apparent compatibility of the tactical doctrines of the US (daylight precision bombing) and RAF (night area bombing), and implies the principle of coordinating these attacks to complement each other.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (AAFIB): Major Cecil P Lessig becomes the first AAF pilot to fly a mission over France in World War II. Flying a Spitfire VB with RAF 64 Squadron from Hornchurch, England, Lessig participates in a 36-aircraft fighter sweep that is recalled when 50 Luftwaffe fighters challenge them.
ZI - ZONE OF INTERIOR: (HQ AAF): Major General Carl Spaatz suggests that the now "task-less 8AF" be made the nucleus for AAFIB.
ETO - THEATER OF OPERATIONS: Harry L Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Franklin D Roosevelt, and General George C Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff, arrive in London for talks with British service and supply chiefs concerning the integration of US and British manpower and war production for action in Europe. General Marshall urges an offensive in the west to relieve pressure upon the USSR and promises a constant flow of US troops, including many air units, to the UK.
For the build-up of US armed forces in the UK for an attack on Europe, to General George C Marshall in London. The plan calls for establishment of the 8AF in the UK.
Thank you for Visiting.
Help & Information
Social Media
We at the Society strongly encourage proper crediting of all materials used on our pages. This includes clearly acknowledging both the creators and the original sources.
If you discover any of your work featured without appropriate credit, please contact us immediately — we are committed to resolving such issues promptly and respectfully.
Please Like & Follow our FaceBook pages.
Aircrew Remembrance Society Latest News
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk All site sections are subsequently recorded as part of our nation’s history and heritage at The British Library.
