 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (December 2014) |
| 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]