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The ECAMS

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Crossword · Sudoku · Trivia

August 14, 2026THEECAMS.COM

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This Day in Aviation

1942

First U.S. Air Victory in Europe: 14 August 1942

On 14 August 1942, the 27th Fighter Squadron ferried Lockheed P-38 Lightnings across the North Atlantic to England via Iceland. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joseph D.R. Shaffer, flying a P-40 Warhawk with the 342d Composite Group, located a German Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor near Reykjavik. Shaffer attacked the bomber, damaging an engine and initiating the first U.S. Army Air Forces air combat victory in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

At 11:15 a.m., Major John W. Weltman and Second Lieutenant Elza E. Shahan, flying P-38s from the 27th Squadron, followed up the attack. Shahan’s P-38F-1-LO, serial 41-7540, helped destroy the Condor, which exploded and crashed eight miles northwest of Grótta Point. All six crewmen were killed. Shaffer and Shahan shared credit for the victory and were both awarded the Silver Star for their actions.

Trivia

1. Which two officers shared credit for the first U.S. Army Air Forces air combat victory in the European Theater of Operations?

  1. A. Major John W. Weltman and Second Lieutenant Elza E. Shahan
  2. B. Lieutenant Joseph D.R. Shaffer and Second Lieutenant Elza E. Shahan
  3. C. Lieutenant Joseph D.R. Shaffer and Major John W. Weltman
  4. D. Second Lieutenant Elza E. Shahan and F Ofw. Fritz Kühn
Show answer

B. The evidence states that Lieutenants Shaffer and Shahan both shared credit for the victory and were awarded the Silver Star. Weltman participated in the attack but is not mentioned as sharing credit for the victory.

2. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Protective sheet for outdoor ground equipment?

  1. A. TARP
  2. B. GNAT
  3. C. FCO
  4. D. PER
Show answer

A. TARP is the matching crossword entry.

3. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Streamlined cover over an aircraft wheel?

  1. A. SPAT
  2. B. ASA
  3. C. RNAV
  4. D. TOP
Show answer

A. SPAT is the matching crossword entry.