In March 1943, Tibbets returned to the United States where he began testing the new B29 Stratofortress. During this period he flew the B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew 25 missions in Europe before supporting the Allied invasion of North Africa. On the outbreak of the Second World War he was sent to England where he became Squadron Commander of the 340th Bomb Squadron Bombardment Group. Tibbets was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1938. After studying medicine at the University of Florida, Tibbets entered the USA Army Air Corps at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, in 1937. His parents wanted him to train as a doctor but instead he had a strong desire to become a pilot. Paul Tibbets, the son of a prosperous businessman, was born in Quincy, Illinois, on 23rd February 1915.
