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The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (1940), prior to United State's entry into the war in December 1941.
Aug 19, 2017 · The RAF decided to group acceptable American pilots into one unit, 71 Squadron, known as “The Eagle Squadron,” which became operational in February 1941. Sweeny had designed a unit shoulder patch bearing an American Eagle, the source of the unit’s name.
Americans served in the RAF during WW2 in the Eagle Squadrons. Explore our online exhibition to find out more about them.
Eagle Squadrons. On the other side of the world, Americans flocked in droves to British and Canadian recruiting stations. Approximately 15,000 joined the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force where, as a rule, they were assimilated into various flying units.
The three Eagle Squadrons officially left the Royal Air Force on September 29, 1942, in a formal ceremony filled with speeches and fanfare. Among the officers present were Maj. Gen. Carl Spaatz, commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Sir Sholto Douglas, chief of RAF Fighter Command.
Oct 1, 2007 · All three Eagle Squadrons were commanded at first by English RAF squadron leaders, which afforded the Eagles more grounding in RAF operations. Later, they were commanded by Americans. All three units also began by flying convoy escort missions in Hurricanes and transitioned later to Spitfires.
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'On 19 September 1940, No. 71 was reformed at Church Fenton as the first 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American personnel. The Squadron received Hurricanes in November and became operational on defensive duties on 5 February 1941.
