The Mighty Eighth  12 August 1942

WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 1942

ETO (8th AF): 31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett, England with Spitfire Mk
Vs, is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under Royal
Air Force (RAF) control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight
as a group; this is first US fighter unit in the UK to reach this operational
status.