Operation Torch — The Naval Battle of Casablanca
8th November 1942

U.S. Navy VGF-29 History

VGF-29 (Escort Fighting Squadron 29)

Established and Disestablished: Formed in early 1942, likely spring or summer, at an East Coast base.
Disestablished November 15, 1942, after merging into VF-29.

Aircraft and Carrier: Flew Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats.
Assigned to USS Santee (CVE-29), a Sangamon-class escort carrier.

Role: Provided air defense and combat air patrols for convoys and amphibious operations.

Operational History: Tied to USS Santee’s early service after commissioning on October 24, 1942.
Training and Deployment: Formed mid-1942, trained with F4F-4 Wildcats, joined Santee in late October 1942.
Operation Torch (November 8-13, 1942): Flew CAP missions off Safi, Morocco, during the North Africa invasion.
Combat: Engaged Vichy French fighters on November 8, claimed 3-5 kills as part of Santee’s air group.
Post-Torch: Returned to Bermuda by November 22 and Hampton Roads by November 24, 1942.

Transition to VF-29: Redesignated VF-29 on November 15, 1942, under Navy standardization.
Operated briefly from Santee into early 1943 on Atlantic patrols.
Disbanded by mid-1943 as Santee shifted roles.

Why So Short-Lived: VGF label was temporary, phased out by late 1942.
Santee moved to anti-submarine and ferry duties, reducing need for VGF-29.

Legacy: Helped secure air superiority during Operation Torch.
Modest but critical role, overshadowed by fleet carrier squadrons.