U.S. Army Air Forces
12th Air Force
The Twelfth Air Force brought American airpower to the Mediterranean — from the burning sands of North Africa to the mountains of Italy. They flew tactical support for Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, the brutal slog up the Italian boot, and the invasion of Southern France. Desert heat, mountain storms, and relentless combat forged these groups into a hardened fighting force that proved American air tactics across three continents.
12th Air Force — Bomb Groups
MTO · 1942–1945
Bombardment Group (Medium)
The Earthquakers
B-25
Mitchell
Flew B-25 Mitchells from Egypt to Tunisia to Sicily and Italy before transferring to the CBI theater. Earned a DUC for combat operations in North Africa and Sicily from October 1942 to August 1943.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-26
Marauder
The 17th BG flew B-26 Marauders in the MTO, attacking targets across North Africa, Sardinia, and Italy. Provided tactical bombing support for ground operations including the invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Light)
A-20/A-26
A-20/A-26
Flew A-20 Havocs and later A-26 Invaders in the Mediterranean. Attacked tactical targets in North Africa, Italy, and Southern France. Provided close air support for ground forces advancing up the Italian peninsula and into Southern France.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-25
Mitchell
Flew B-25 Mitchells throughout the Mediterranean campaign. Attacked shipping, rail targets, bridges, and airfields from bases in North Africa, Corsica, and Italy. Received multiple DUCs for outstanding combat performance.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-26
Marauder
Flew B-26 Marauders across the Mediterranean theater. Participated in the North African campaign, the invasion of Sicily, and operations in Italy and Southern France.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-26
Marauder
Operated B-26 Marauders from bases across the Mediterranean. Attacked bridges, marshalling yards, harbors, and industrial targets supporting the Allied advance from North Africa through Italy and into Southern France.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-25
Mitchell
Flew B-25 Mitchell medium bombers across the Mediterranean theater. Attacked bridges, rail lines, troop concentrations, and supply depots from North Africa through the Italian campaign.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
B-25
Mitchell
Flew B-25 Mitchells in the MTO. Originally assigned to the 9th Air Force, transferred to the 12th in August 1943. Attacked tactical targets across Italy and Southern Europe, earning multiple unit citations.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
One of the oldest bombardment groups in the USAAF, the 2nd BG flew B-17s from North Africa and Italy. Earned two DUCs for precision attacks on heavily defended targets at Steyr and Regensburg. Later assigned to the 15th Air Force.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
The historic 97th BG flew the first American heavy bomber mission of the war from England in August 1942 before transferring to North Africa. Continued strategic bombing operations across the Mediterranean from bases in Italy.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Diamondbacks
B-17
Flying Fortress
The 'Diamondbacks' flew B-17s in the MTO, attacking strategic targets across Southern Europe from bases in North Africa and Italy. Participated in bombing campaigns against oil refineries, aircraft factories, and transportation networks.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
Flew B-17s in the strategic bombing campaign across the Mediterranean. Transferred from the 8th Air Force to North Africa in late 1942 and operated from bases in Italy as part of the 15th Air Force from late 1943.
Squadrons
12th Air Force — Fighter Groups
MTO · 1942–1945
Fighter Group
P-38
Lightning
Flew P-38 Lightnings throughout the Mediterranean campaign. Provided escort for bombers and conducted fighter sweeps from North Africa across Italy and into Austria. The oldest fighter group in the USAAF.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-38
Lightning
Flew P-38 Lightnings in the MTO, providing bomber escort and air superiority missions. Operated from bases in North Africa and Italy alongside the 1st Fighter Group.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew a variety of aircraft including A-36 Apaches, P-40 Warhawks, and P-47 Thunderbolts in the fighter-bomber role. Provided close air support from North Africa through the Italian campaign.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
The only American fighter group to fly Spitfires in sustained combat. Later converted to P-51 Mustangs. Fought from the UK to North Africa to Italy, earning distinction in air-to-air combat throughout the Mediterranean.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-40 Warhawks and later P-47 Thunderbolts in the MTO. The 33rd participated in the North African campaign, the invasions of Sicily and Italy, and the drive up the Italian peninsula.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew Spitfires in the Mediterranean before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Provided air superiority and bomber escort from bases in North Africa and Italy, serving with distinction in the air war over Southern Europe.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
One of the original American fighter groups in the Desert Air Force. Flew P-40 Warhawks against Rommel's forces in North Africa before transitioning to P-47 Thunderbolts for operations in Italy and Southern Europe.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-40 Warhawks and P-47 Thunderbolts in the MTO. Provided close air support and tactical fighter operations from the Western Desert through Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, and Southern France.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-39 Airacobras and later P-47 Thunderbolts in the MTO. Provided air defense and ground attack support during the Mediterranean campaign from North Africa into Italy.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-38
Lightning
Flew P-38 Lightnings in the MTO, providing bomber escort, air superiority, and ground attack missions. Participated in the North African campaign and the air war over Italy and Southern Europe.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew A-36 Apaches, P-40s, and P-47s in the fighter-bomber role across the Mediterranean. Provided devastating close air support for ground forces from North Africa through the Italian Campaign.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew A-36 dive bombers, P-40 Warhawks, and P-47 Thunderbolts in the Mediterranean. Provided close air support and interdiction across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-40 Warhawks and later P-47 Thunderbolts in the MTO. Originally with the 9th Air Force in the Western Desert, transferred to the 12th in August 1943 for operations in Italy and Southern France.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
The Checkertail Clan
P-51
Mustang
The 'Checkertail Clan' — named for their distinctive checkered tail markings. Flew P-40s, P-47s, and P-51s across the Mediterranean. One of the top-scoring fighter groups in the MTO, later assigned to the 15th Air Force.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
Red Tails / Tuskegee Airmen
P-51
Mustang
The legendary 'Red Tails' — the Tuskegee Airmen. The first African American fighter group in the USAAF. Overcame incredible discrimination to prove themselves in combat, flying bomber escort missions with a reputation for never losing a bomber to enemy fighters. An enduring symbol of courage and excellence.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-39 Airacobras and P-47 Thunderbolts in the MTO. Conducted air defense, ground attack, and patrol missions from bases in North Africa, Corsica, and mainland Italy.
Squadrons
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12
Bomb Groups
16
Fighter Groups
97+
Squadrons