In 1942, with the reinforcement of operations in diferent parts of the world, the Allies will lose a larger number of airplanes in Portugal. The increase of the military activity also has repercussions in the Portuguese colonies, espcially in the african territories, where some crews also end tehir missions.
By the end of the year "Operation Torch" begins. The invasion of North Africa by the Anglo-American forces, not only represents not only an increase in the number of landings but also the arrival of the first American planes in Portuguese territory. The first of them lands in Lisbon Airport and has an unexpected outcome. The pilot escapes the surveillance of the Portuguese military and escapes to Gibraltar with his plane.
Days latter five Aircobras will arrive in the country, begining a new portuguese Army Airforce Squadron: The very american "OK" outfit.
25-01-1942 Vickers Wellington IC Z9098 (⇓Sesimbra)
25 -01-1942? Unkown RAF Aircraft ??? (⇓Olhão)
18-03-1942 Bristol Beaufort I W6474 (⇓Cabo Espichel, sea)
28-03-1942 Vickers Wellington IC DV503 (⇓Cabo Espichel, sea)
01-04-1942 Supermarine Spitfire BP906 (⇓Montemor)
04-04-1942 Bristol Beaufort I N1000 (⇓Caparica)
01-05-1942 Focke-Wulf FW 200 C4 W.Nr.0120 (⇓Apúlia)
30-05-1942 Vickers Wellington IC HX390 (⇓Vila do Conde)
16-06-1942 Bristol Beaufort AW303 (⇓Ericeira)
16-06-1942 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Z9291 (⇓Cape Sta Maria, Faro)
21-06-1942 Bristol Blenheim V BA288 (⇓Lisbon)
23-06-1942 Bristol Beaufort I L9826 (⇓Caparica)
24-06-1942 DeHavilland DH-80 Puss Moth ??? (⇓Angola)
12/08/1942 Bristol Beaufort DD953 (⇓Figueira da Foz)
14-08-1942 Vickers Wellington IC Z9026 (⇓Sintra)
27-08-1942 Vickers Wellington IC HD967 (⇓Tavira)
16-09-1942 Lockheed Hudson IIIA FH288 (⇓Guiné)
08-10-1942 Handley Page Halifax II DT493 (⇓Azambuja)
13-10-1942 Consolidated Catalina AH543 (⇓Mozambique)
11-11-1942 Douglas C-47 Skytrain 41-18353 (⇓Sea)
14-11-1942 Bristol Blenheim V BA826 (⇓Lisbon)
15-11-1942 Lockheed P-38F Lightning 41-7587 (⇓Lisbon)
15-11-1942 Lockheed P-38F Lightning 42-12738 (⇓Lisbon)
17-11-1942 Bristol Blenheim V BA829 (⇓Serpa)
18-11-1942 Armstrong W. Withley Mk V Z9160 (⇓Armação de Pêra)
09-12-1942 Lockheed Hudson III AE578 (⇓Sintra)
23-12-1942 Lockheed P-38F Lightning 42-12825 (⇓Quarteira)
27-12-1942 Bell P-400 Aircobra BX256 (⇓Vila do Conde)
27-12-1942 Bell P-39L / P-400 Aircobra ??? (⇓Lisbon)
27-12-1942 Bell P-39L / P-400 Aircobra ??? (⇓Lisbon)
Resources:
Book's and Publications
Aviões da Cruz de Cristo – Mário Canongia Lopes / / "The Bristol Blenheim" - Graham Warner / / "Royal Air Forces Bomber Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean" - David Gunby & Pelham Temple/ "Bloody Biscay" - Chriss Goss //Lokheed Hudson in World War II - Andrew Hendrie // Revista "Mais Alto" - Diversos //Site "rafcommands.com" // Jornal "O Algarve" - várias edições
Documents and Archives
Arquivo do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros - Portugal // Evade & Escape Report - National Archives - London Kew // Portreath ORB - National Archives - London, Kew // 209 Operational Record Book - National Archives, London Kew // RAF Museum Hendon // National Archives of Australia
Sites/ Forums
Comonwealth War Graves Commission - site CWGC // "rafcommands.com" // "armyairforces.com"// www.firebirds.org // www.paradata.org.uk
People
Family of Alec Hayward // João Paulo Silva // Chriss Goss // Mário Canongia Lopes // Jack Ilfrey // W. D. Bunting // Ivor Self // Buddy Strozier // Bill Littlejohn
