On this day 8 November 1942

During World War II, the North African Campaign included battles fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts (Western Desert Campaign also known as the Desert War) and in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch) and Tunisia.

The North African conflict was characterized by a series of back-and-forth battles for control of Libya and parts of Egypt, climaxing in the Second Battle of El Alamein when British Commonwealth forces under the command of Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, delivered a decisive defeat to the Axis forces and pushed the Axis forces back to Tunisia. Following the Allied landings in North West Africa, Operation Torch, in late 1942 under the command of General Dwight Eisenhower, and after Allied battles against Vichy France forces the combined Allied forces encircled the Axis forces in northern Tunisia and forced their surrender. North African opened with initial success by the German and Italian forces, but the massive supply and numerical superiority of the Allies led to the Axis' complete defeat. Over 230,000 German and Italian troops were taken as prisoners of war, including most of the Afrika Korps.

Battle Honour North Africa 1942-43 - Forces taking part in Operation Torch, the support of landing forces and the army ashore in Algeria and Tunisia, between 8 November 1942 and 20 February 1943.

FAA Squadrons: 700 (42-43), 800 (42), 802 (42), 804 (42), 807 (42-43), 809 (42), 817 (42), 820 (42-43), 822 (42-43), 832 (42), 833 (42), 880 (42), 882 (42), 883 (42), 884 (42), 885 (42-43), 888 (42-43), 891 (42) 893 (42-43)