Anyone out there know anything about the wartime exploits of the XII Tactical Command? I've been collecting AAF patches for a long time now, Noticed that Andrew Butler sells a repro patch on felt for the above unit, had a look for an original on ebay and google but can't find one. now, is it a major unit that my patch collection will suffer without, or is it one he's had made for a niche market, not really relavent to my collection of AAF unit patches of WW2??
Will it be 'the one that got away'??

Laurence.

XII Tactical Air Command, originally XII Ground Air Support Command, was established in September 1942 as part of the 12AF in the MTO.
At it's height consisting of two Bomb Wings and two Fighter Wings, the Bomb Wings were eventually transferred to XII Bomber Command, leaving just the seven Fighter Groups by the end of 1944.

12AF units always have a difficult lineage, from being "sort-of-8AF-units" in 1942 England, through absorbing 9AF cast-offs (again ex-8AF Medium Bomber Wings) on it's build-up in the MTO, until it's reincarnation as the 15AF.
NOTE: No disrespect to the 12/15AF Vets intended there, it's just a VERY simplified history of what went on.

In essence, XII TAC was formed to provide air support for Operation Torch, the invasion of western North Africa, and was slowly reduced to a fighter/attack organisation afterwards.
Not a major Command in the larger scale of things, but as an interesting addition to patch collection with it's history, yes.

Hope that helps,
PB

Thanks Paul, DO YOU NEVER SLEEP????

Based on that comprehensive precis (if that makes sense) I'll keep looking for an original patch, well worth it as you say.
Interesting that Andrew Butler went to the trouble of getting these reproduced, that is if he didn't buy them in.
Possibly a Stateside Re-enactment group out there doing XII TAC....?

Laurence.