The 2ndTactical Air Force was a RAF group that supported the Allied troops fighting in Western Europe in the period 1944-45.
Strength returns of 2nd TAF are available from ‘AIR 22-Air Ministry: Periodical Returns, Intelligence Summaries and Bulletins’
2nd Tactical AF | 1-Jan-44 | 1-May-44 | 1-Sep-44 | 1-Jan-45 |
SE Fighters | 697 | 1,017 | 1,080 | 1,044 |
Army Coop | 120 | 112 | 112 | |
Medium Bombers | 319 | 294 | 360 | 396 |
Sum | 1,016 | 1,431 | 1,552 | 1,552 |
These numbers refer to operational aircraft.
The fighters used were the Spitfire and P-51 Mustang together with the fighter/ground attack plane Typhoon. These planes make up the majority of 2nd TAF strength. At the same time there are a small number of medium bombers of the Mosquito, Mitchell and Boston types. There was also a small number of Auster observation aircraft.