C X A P T E R 17
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ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EIGHTH AIR
FORCE IN T H E UNITED KINGDOM
ESTINED to become the major instrument of American air
power in the war against Germany, the Eighth Air Force
D from its very inception was intended for action against theEuropean Axis. Originally, however, it had not been assigned
the mission of strategic bombardment. Its roots were embedded in the
projects for the invasion of Northwest Africa (GYMNAST and
SUPER-GYMNAST) considered by the ARCADIA and post-
ARCADIA conferences in December 1941 and early 1942. The de-
cision to organize a task force known as the Mobile Reserve Corps,
under the command of Maj. Gen. Lloyd R. Fredendall, to carry out
GYMNAST in the event of a firm commitment to that operation,
made inevitable the planning and organization of its air element. Ac-
cordingly, on 2 January 1942, General Arnold directed that an air
task force be established for the purpose under the command of
Col. Asa N. Duncan, then commanding the I11 Air Support Com-
mand.' First designated the Fifth Air Force, the new organization
within a few days received instead the designation of Eighth Air
Force because of a plan to authorize the activation of a Fifth Air
Force * in the Far East.2
As originally conceived, the Eighth Air Force consisted of a head-
quarters, bomber and interceptor commands, and a wing headquarters
to be employed as a service command. Its constituent units were
one medium bombardment group, two pursuit groups, one observation
group, three air base groups, and one air depot group. Already selected
First assigned to the Far East Air Force, the designation would not be identified
with the American elements of the Allied Air Forces in Australia and New Guinea
until 3 September 1942.
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