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Re: USAAF in UK 1942
Several USAAF units flew Spitfires, speaking from memory the 4th, 31st and 52nd FG. The 4th FG was formed mostly by redesignating as USAAF units three RAF squadrons formed of US volunteers, 71, 121 and 133 Sqn, called "Eagle" squadrons, all of which served before Pearl Harbor. By the way they were transferred from RAF to USAAF only in fall 1942.
The 31st FG was based in England before moving to North Africa in November 1942, the 52nd FG serving in MTO all the war. The USAAF used Spitfires in Italy up to spring 1944.
As for why these two units used Spitfire, I have no definitive answer but I think it was because the aircraft they used before (P-39 and P-40) were deemed not able to deal with German fighters at the time.
Some USAAF recon squadrons also used Spitfire and Mosquito during the war.
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