The Desert Air Force (DAF), also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, the Western Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force (1TAF), was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No. 204 Group under RAF Middle East Command in North Africa in 1941 to provide close air support to the British Eighth Army. Throughout World War II, DAF was made up of squadrons from the British Royal Air Force (RAF), the South African Air Force (SAAF), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), and other Allied air forces.
Read more about Desert Air Force: History, Aircraft, Personnel, Strength, Commanders
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“Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
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Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.”
—Thomas Gray (1716–1771)
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That in this desert inaccessible,
Under the shade of melancholy boughs,
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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—Gore Vidal (b. 1925)
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—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)