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The Eighth Air Force

The US Eighth Air Force was, in terms of men and aircraft, the largest offensive air force in history.

It would have comprised almost two thirds of the total USAAF combat strength, had not much of its planned resource been diverted to other American air forces fighting the Nazis and their supporters.

The Eighth was composed of three air divisions, which each had fighter units and maintenance organisations to support the bomber operations.

The Second Air Division, which flew Consolidated B-24 Liberators, made its home in Norfolk and north-east Suffolk.

The First Air Division (in the Huntingdon area) and the Third Air Division (in Suffolk and south-west Norfolk) were equipped with Boeing B-17 Fortress bombers.