immediate departure.*6*Finally on April 1, 1943, over a year after the graduation of the first class, word came “moving out.” The next day the 99th climbed aboard a train that would take them to New York where they would board a troop ship. They did not board the ship until April 15,1943, which was bound for North Africa. Then the 99th finally reached Moroco on May 1,1943. When getting off the ship, they said immediately Arab children swarmed them asking for cigarettes and food.*7* While at the first camp in Oved, Nija, Josephine Baker, a well known black performer, entertained the troops. Also, while being at their first camp received their P-40l War Hawks and were joined by white pilots who did not care for the color of their skin. The first missions using these planes were destroying ground targets and escorting bombers. While escorting bombers, they were ordered never to pursue an enemy.But on June 9, 1943, members of the 99th were escorting a group of 12 bombers. They were attacked by 4 German Me-109’s.*8* Eight of the members stayed and escorted the bombers home. The other 4 pursued the Germans and almost lost the 99th’s status as a battle-ready fighter squadron. Throughout the rest of June and July the 99th participated in the bombing of Pantelleria. During this time history was made. On July 2, 1943, Lieutenant Charles Hall scored the first kill for the 99th, when he downed a FW-190 and damaged an Me-109.*9* Later that day, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was commander of American forces in Northern Africa at the time, visited the squadron and praised Hall for an excellent job.A few days after the first kill, Pantelleria, a small island they were attacking surrendered. Also the same day Lieutenant Colonel Davis received a letter from the area commander, Colonel J.R. Hawkins, which congratulated them, and thanked them for their performance in the take down of Pantelleria.*10*Within days of the surrend...
