VIII Fighter Command

12 August 1942

Official Description

31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under RAF control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight as a group. This is first US fighter unit in UK to reach this operational status.

Description

13 Spitfire Mk V from 31st Fighter Group are despateched on a feint Rodeo, a fighter sweep over enemy territory, in a wide loop over Clacton/Dunkirk/Calaise and Dover.

Mission Details

CLACTON / DOVER / DUNKIRK / CALAIS

Description: FEINT RODEO

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: A feint "Rodeo" over French coast. No losses, claims or casualties. The 31st Fighter Group is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under RAF control until it gains enough experience to fight effectively as a group.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 13

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.