Creation of the concept is credited to Colonel Curtis E. LeMay, commander of the 305th Bombardment Group in England.[2][3][4] However the Eighth Air Force had been experimenting with different tactical formations since its first bombing mission on 17 August 1942, several of which were also known as "boxes." LeMay's group did create the "Javelin Down" combat box in December 1942, and that formation became the basis for the numerous variations of combat boxes that followed.[4]