Friday, Jan. 28 is a historic day for both the City of Savannah and the United States. Eighty years ago, Jan. 28. 1942, the charter for the Eighth Air Force was created in a former National Guard Armory. 1108 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia. Its main objective was two-fold: first, to cripple Hitler’s war-making capabilities by destroying factories and taking out transportation lines; and second, to clear the skies of the Luftwaffe so that an allied landing on continental Europe would be possible. Lieutenant General Henry “Hap” Arnold appointed Major General Carl Spaatz to command the new Eighth Air Force. Brigadier General Frank Hunter, of Savannah, was put in charge of Fighter Command, and Brigadier General Ira Eaker was made head of the bombardment force.