Desert Air Force

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Desert Air Force
Ensign of the Royal Air Force
Founded	21 October 1941
Country	United Kingdom South Africa  Australia
Role	Tactical air force
Size	over 1,500 combat aircraft (late 1942)
Part of	Air Ministry
Engagements	Second World War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Arthur Coningham Harry Broadhurst William Dickson

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 created from No. 204 Group RAF under RAF Middle East Command in North Africa in 1941 to provide close air support to the British Eighth Army against Axis forces. Throughout the Second World War, the DAF was made up of squadrons from the Royal Air Force (RAF), the South African Air Force (SAAF), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and other Allied air forces.

In October 1941, the Western Desert Air Forces had 16 squadrons of aircraft (nine fighter, six medium bomber and one tactical reconnaissance) and fielded approximately 1,000 combat aircraft by late 1941.^[1] By the time of the Second Battle of El Alamein, the DAF fielded 29 squadrons (including nine South African and three USAAF units) flying Boston, Baltimore and Mitchell medium bombers; Hurricane, Kittyhawk, Tomahawk, Warhawk and Spitfire fighters and fighter-bombers.^[1] There were over 1,500 combat aircraft, more than double the number of aircraft the Axis could field.^{[citation needed]}