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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.
Americans served in the RAF during WW2 in the Eagle Squadrons. Explore our online exhibition to find out more about them.
Manned entirely by American pilots, these three RAF units, Numbers 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons, flew Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires in combat over Europe from Feb. 5, 1941, to Sept. 29, 1942, when they were transferred to the AAF.
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.
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.
May 22, 2018 · Eagle Squadron Memories. Desperate for proficient pilots to combat the Nazi onslaught, Britain found willing recruits in neutral America. Members of No. 71 Squadron, the first of the Royal Air Force's "Eagle Squadrons," head out to their aircraft for the benefit of press cameras. (National Archives)
The Eagle Squadrons of World War II During the perilous years of 1940-1941, a small band of Americans joined the Royal Air Force to help England resist Nazi Germany. They did so while the...
