RAF Eagle Squadron

[catemoon]

John Joseph "Jack" Mooney is the pilot in the back right in frames 2:09-2:11. He was killed in action in June 1942, two weeks before he was to be married. If anyone knew him, or his fiance (a W.A.A.F.) please get in touch. I'm his niece.

[Aussiephil99]

I have great respect for these guys....I have less respect for some of the the American idiots on youtube who need to educate themselves about the war and not base their knowledge on Hollywood movies

[Planetar17]

@XxxSakura101 'Evil of fascism'. Yes, it was, but we didn't know just how evil it was in 1939. Afterall, Germans voted for Hitler. He was democratically elected and the German economy began to recover from the Depression. To a busy, distracted American, the 'evil' of fascism was no more apparent than it was to Neville 'peace in our time' Chamberlain. The Holocaust was not known in 1939, not yet really begun. Don't judge 1939 Americans based on post-'45 hindsight information. That is unscholarly

[Planetar17]

US was lulled into a false security by Neville's 'peace in our time'. From an American's viewpoint, one day, all's well. Not long afterward, boom, now suddenly Hitler's a bad guy again and England's calling for war on the scale of WWI, memories of which were still fresh in the minds of many in the US. Of course we would hesitate to enter another TRENCH war. Remember, we all thought it would be a repeat of the trenches w/senseless slaughter. Who'd rush into that who wasn't a Crown subject?

[Planetar17]

@dpsherry We weren't in the war as long, so we did suffer fewer casualties vis-a-vis UK, Canada, Aus, NZ, India, South Africa, etc, who collectively lost 580,487 military dead to the U.S. 405,399 military dead. That's not close? Would you have had us die more? Perhaps we lost fewer lives because our med evac system was superior, or we had better field commanders, or we were just luckier. Fewer of us died, so we deserve your contempt?

[Planetar17]

No sooner had Hitler invaded Poland, than the U.S.began preparations for war. We placed our industry on a war footing and wouldn't have been ready to help much before the time we actually DID. Had we joined the fight in 1939, we would have sitzkrieged on our asses just like Britain did during the Phoney War, ending May 10,1940. Everybody who says the US only got involved 'because they were attacked' forgets our 405,399 dead, our unneutral acts during the Battle of the Atlantic, etc.

[dpsherry]

@Planetar17 Interesting hypothesis but quite inaccurate. You might have had 405K dead but relative to your population - doesn't come close to the commonwealth. Had the US entered the war in 1939, Adolph would probaly have not attacked in the west. Uncle Adoplh was silly but he wasn't f***ing silly.

[GuardianFilms0]

They recently found wreckage of a Spitfire of the 133 Eagle Squadron in Co. Donegal, Ireland. We filmed the recovery of the Spitfire for everyone to watch. The plane was piloted by Roland 'Bud' Wolfe, and he bailed out of the plane over the Inishowen peninsula in November, 1941.

The video is on our channel if you want to watch it.

[buidseach]

i suppose it wasnt so much about countries as much as freedom and democracy against facists although in my opinion Stalin was worse than Hitler.

[TheIceman567]

@matthewmttyd So what are you saying that these men died and fought for nothing?

[maureenOWW]

I just googled iwannabeawhitemanosis and apparently no-on eelse thought it was funny enough to copy. Personally I found it hilarious too. Glad to see someone agrees with me.

[maureenOWW]

@matthewmttyd 'To all Americans.You're our one true ally' - are you crazy? Have you forgotten Canada, Aus, NZ and a dozen other places who share the same head of state and voluntarily joined the UK in two world wars without a moments hesitation, and when they were under no threat of attack themselves? The US only got involved in both wars because they were attacked. WW1 Lusitania, Zimmerman telegraph, WW2 Pearl Harbor. They were happy to sit on the sidelines making huge profits in both wars. OK?

[TheIceman567]

@maureenOWW Wasn't our fight noe did we have any allegiance to Britain or to any other country for that matter. Read up on history son The British-American allegiance wasn't born till during the war.

[guin1022]

Yes, a book has been written!! THE FEW, by Alex Kershaw. Eugene Quimby "Red" Tobin's sister is my grandmother. Bomberguy if you have any video with the Americans please let me know. Facebook: Guinnavere Maher

[spib65]

A very interesting video, again many thanks.

One question, has anybody written a book about them?.

if they have not, they ought to.

[XxxSakura101]

Men who did the right thing, despite our reluctance to act as a nation and become involved in a war to protect freedom and stand up to the evil of fascism. They will always be a role model to follow.

[GelandnaleG]

4:59

ITISBRITISHPOLICY2PRESERIVE

ATLANTARYTHAMSECTIONEMC2

ITISBRITISHPOLICY2PRESERIVE

4:59



[GelandnaleG]

2:25pm Thursday (CST) - Time in Mississippi, United States of America

[jrcadet4]

A friend and mentor, "Butch" Korbish, served w/ one of the three RAF Eagle Squadrons which were eventually formed. Thanks for remembering them.

[TheIceman567]

@matthewmttyd that was cold blooded!

[TheIceman567]

@matthewmttyd aww....... you as cold as ice.

[TheIceman567]

@matthewmttyd Aww.. Shucks. No worries mate glad we done it.

[burnellyful]

my dad was in the raf.in the 71st squadron. does anyone out there know of him. joseph m kelly.(little joe).

[tinkll1]

This is a nice introduction to the RAF's Eagle Squadrons, and certainly adds to the history of these famous squadrons. I would love to have the pilots identified, and I would be interested in the background of these films which were certainly part of the overall information campaign, that would be part of the British campaign to enlist a reluctant, isolationist America into World War II. Many of the individual stories were told, and I would recommend James Goodson's books as lively starters.

[Rico8458]

these americans are our true heroes.

[Rico8458]

yanks saved england.

[RAF71chingachgook]

BRAVO!

[nc69th]

My Dad said to me once, that the U.S. Government would never have allowed such a unit in another Armed Forces. that is true, these lads feared loosing their citizenship if they went and fought for England, none the less, many went, even ex U.S. Army Airmen, and others. I have to constantly remind him of the famed Flying Tigers, men who flew fighters for China in the War.

[radenbg]

God bless ordinary American folks... as much as i hate their government, from the bottom of my hearth i admire plain, ordinary Americans who stood for liberty and freedom, and gave their lives so we can live and enjoy in today's world .

May the memory of them and their bravery never fade!

[Billythepeon]

Amen, most of us Americans hate our government whether run by republicans or democrats because in the end they are the same. But regular American and British people will always stand together to defend liberty! Just got to start with our own governments rofl.

[SALTYWOOFHOUND]

@Billythepeon True. But why isn't his top button undone.?

[hetmanbasza]

@radenbg

Your hate of government is at least misplaced. Today, cannot be compared to 1940. It is not the same thing and is in the least unfair to compare them as equal. When trouble in the world rears its ugly head it is ALWAYS the common American man & women who pull other people's buts out of the fire. American Gov't needs ajusting and we will do it this Nov.

[xXCutePuppy666Xx]

My Great Uncle Was A Navigator On a Lancaster during WWII .. Wish he was still around though :(

[canusa1000]

I am researching Americans who served with the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII.

Please contact me if you are a relative of ex RAF/RCAF American personnel.

[msallisonbrown]

What is the purpose of your research?

I don't have much official info - my sisters may have more - just a few photos of my dad with his planes...

Would like to know more about what you're doing!

[MOONman480]

My grandfather was an American in the RAF, what type of research are you doing?

[YrHen]

It must be quite galling for you Schickelgruber, that the damn Spitfire- "that piece of crap" to use your words, flown mostly by weekend pilots and their allies, shot your superior German aircraft out of our airspace!

In 1940 the Spits and Hurricanes did not require a large operational radius, and as the FW 190 did'nt arrive until 1942, those "pieces of crap" had done the job they were designed to do, ie keep those bastards out of my country!

Spit Mk 9 - "Too late for what?"

[JaleelJohanson62]

And yet, after all that we're conversing in English? Go figure....

Oh, and you're too much of a pussy to identify where you're from? Why? No matter.... you're an abomination to the Americans and the Germans. LOL

Die....

[msallisonbrown]

Thank you, Bomberguy! What a treat!

I'd always wondered if my dad (John I. Brown III) had been in any wartime newsreel footage - and there he is!! (from 4:42 to 5:35...)

In Second Eagle Squadron clips, he's on the near end of the group of pilots walking, gesturing on the far left in the first group standing, then standing next to the fuzzy dog (look at the knees!) and right after that, kneeling with (and petting) the dog - not surprising, he really liked dogs...

[MOONman480]

Very awesome your father is in this clip!!!

[msallisonbrown]

Yes, it is!

Would it not be just the most amazing thing if your grandfather, Kyle's grandfather, GlennHa's dad and mine all crossed paths or served together!?! I always loved his stories... and have always been more than proud of his commitment to doing the right thing during those times.

[msallisonbrown]

Another thought...

Dad was active in the group of Eagle Squadron pilots who would have an annual (?) get-together... in fact, was one of the organizers of the reunion the year he passed away.

No doubt, if your grandfather was active in that group, they knew each other~

[MOONman480]

my grandpa came home after a reunion with a copy of a Spitfire (at least i think it was a spitfire, might have been a mustang) that had his signature and everyone elses who was at that reunion. Wonder if it has you dads. I think the reunion was in Tucson, AZ but i might be wrong on the location. This reunion was about 12 or 15 years ago, maybe a little longer.

[msallisonbrown]

@MOONman480

MOONman... Did I ever adequately reply to your post about the signatures on the copy of a Spitfire (or Mustang) your grandpa brought home??

Dad passed away in July of 1999 - as he was working on details for the reunion... if before that, there's no doubt his signature could be there - John I Brown III (retired Maj USAF, so may have signed it Maj. John I Brown - or with his call name from RAF - "Brownie")

Who was your Grampa?

Would love to see that, if Dad's signature is there...

[msallisonbrown]

@MOONman480

...also, the Cover Photo of the book, Immigrants of War, by W. Peter Fydenchuk, has men of the 121st Eagle Squadron across the bottom... I wonder if your grandpa is there, too?? It is a still shot of a them walking across the field - much like what appears in this video. (My dad is on the far left.)

canusa1000 shared info he had about my dad, and I'd believe he has good info on many of the men of the 121st.Eagle Squadron as well as others - wonder if he has any info on your grandpa?

[liambannin]

1 word..... spitfire...

[FuturePilotGrrrl]

i love these awesome brave guys (:

[KyleLexington]

One of my grand fathers flew in the USAAF. I know one who fought in a P-47 Thunderbolt. Im always proud of him! GOD BLESS THE ALLIES AND HELL KILL THE AXIS!!!

[MOONman480]

oh, and god bless your Grandfather Kyle! glad he was on our side!

[KyleLexington]

God bless you too!

[KyleLexington]

God Bless Moon man im american and Your awsome!!!

God Bless america helping out Britian and China I LOVE BEING AMERICAN!!!! MAKES ME PROUD OF MY COUNTRY!!!

[MOONman480]

Thanks Kyle, wish there were more people like you in this world.

[latintime11]

bless these brave guys!

[MOONman480]

Bravest me who ever lived, my grandfather flew in the eagle squadron. god bless

[GERMANOPHILE]

God Bless your grandfather. bless his courage and Eagle Squadron

[MOONman480]

Thank you very much for that comment. That means a lot to me:)

[GlennHa]

MOONman480: God bless your Grandfather, and all who fought against the Nazis. No honor is too great to the British airmen who held the line, alone. My Dad flew in B-24s in the 458th BG, he held the British fliers in great respect.

[MOONman480]

God bless your father as well, it's an honor to chat with his son. The 458th BG had the very bravest of men and we are all lucky men like your father were there to stand against evil. Thank you for your comment GlennHa!

[mikew55555]

Many thanks to the Americans,Canadians,Poles,Czec­hoslovacians, Free French,Belgians,Norwegians,Ind­ians,South Africans,Rhodeisians,Kiwi's,Au­ssies and anyone else that flew with the RAF,plus all the troops from many,many different nations.Let's be honest,without the American "industry and manpower",we'd probably still be fighting this war.Really like the "ordinary" American,just don't trust their modern Goverment (or our UK Goverment !).What's gone wrong ?.These chaps fought for freedom !.

[MOONman480]

Agree with you 100%, great comment

[papaco1974]

Thanks for this great video

[EasyCompanyAirborne]

Great video. They had to do 300 hours flying, which is a lot. Many of the British pilots had only 10 hours. The Americans did so much to save Britain.

[Typhoon07]

Respect to them all.

[tmolet]

Thanks to ALL the pilots in the RAF in the BOB, be they British, American, Polish or from the commonwealth or wherever. Brave men. Very brave men.

This really was the Last Chance Saloon for the free world and it doesn't bear thinking about what would have happened had they lost.

[YrHen]

Quite right tmolet, they were all brave men, but the Yanks didn't have to be here in 1940! They had to be brave adventurous men, and as an old Brit they have my thanks!

I wonder if we would have people to do the same for them if they were in the shit?

[ghostreconn]

yes american pilot.. i would volunteer too.

[flippysnotze]

There were many American voulteers in the R.C.A.F. also.

[MechelenManiac]

Remarkable that the Americans volunteered to join the RAF before the US entered the war, says volumes about the character of the American citizen.

[USArCOWARDS]

MechelenManiac and whats that?

That the majority of yanks are 100% coward?

[MechelenManiac]

Well history shows that in fact just the opposite is true the world would be a far worse place if there was no USA, we'd have to invent one.

[USArCOWARDS]

MechelenManiac,

Why would you say that?

Last time i checked USA stayed nuetral while Nazis sunk its ships and killed its people.

While its news papers wrote:

"Nazis herd human beings into massive execution chambers"

and:

"Nazis execute woman and children in the streets"

It took a japanese attack for the USA that you love oh so greatly to join in.

The world would be better place if USA was till britains.

We have the French and Spanish to blame for that

[flippysnotze]

Your understanding of history is severly lacking,whatever you do don't let your hatred of the U.S. get in the way of the facts. Why don't you read up on the russians and stalin's involvment in ww2,as a young communist you should be better informed.Better yet ask the Polish people how they feel about them.Google the arsnel of democracy even.Revisionist History serves who's best intrest?

[USArCOWARDS]

flippysnotze,

I'm very awre of Stalin and USSRs major role in WW2.

The facts are.

Nazis attacked Britain and it was 1 on 1.

Britain won. Our WW2 was won.

Nazis then retreated uncontrolably and attacked USSR.

So we in Britain won WW2 on our own.

Its historical fact.

[flippysnotze]

I was not giving praises to the soviets! Nazi's retreated uncontrolably? Because of? man are you confused,Britain won on there own? wow and you say we yanks are nationalistic! The Brits were and are great warriors,no doubting that,but won the war all by them selfs? wow! Well congradulations! btw could you tell me what news papers reported that the U.S. knew about the concentration camps before the war? Did some Yank call you a nasty name or steal candy from you when you were a child?

[USArCOWARDS]

flippysnotze,

Nazis retreated uncontrolably because the RAF smashed the Luftwaffe to bits.

It was called the battle of britain.

Britain fought the Nazis 1 on 1 and won.

That ment Nazis couldnt invade and beat Britain.

Our WW2 was then won.

We had beaten the Nazis on our own.

And yes you'll find that USA knew that human beings were being executed in concentration camps.

What do you think war is?

Are you ignorant of the fact USAs tourtured and killed prisoners in iraq and Afgahnistan?

[flippysnotze]

you are such a twit,lol goodbye moron.

[MOONman480]

Your a very intelligent person, Wise beyond your years! god bless

[maureenOWW]

@MechelenManiac They weren't fighting for Britain they were fighting for the adrenaline rush of flying state of the art aircraft in combat. If the 'character of the American citizen' was the motivating factor then the US would have entered the war in 1939, not years later. Please be logical.

[TheIceman567]

@maureenOWW Yeah but wasn't our war to fight.

[leewonnacott]

Very happy to see this clip and thanks to the poster. My father, RCAF F/Sgt Glenn W Wonnacott was an American pilot for 121 Squadron. He flew Spitfire Mk IV c/n BL-490 call sign AV-K. NOT ALL of these men went to fly with US Army Air Corp... several held out and were repatriated to US Navy in November 1942.

[hincks11]

Excellent and most informative video. I am an officer in the training branch of the RAF VR serving with 121 squadron of the Air Training Corps. We are all very proud to carry the same number as the second eagle squadron 121. you can visit our website at aircadetonline

[AlmightyBrazil]

Good video, but this little island most belongs to the Brazilians like God wants.

[keenanthered79]

good vid. My grandfather was in the eagle squadron too. Anyone here know any who flew with the 71 squadron?

[tinkll1]

Just today, Amazon sent me "The Flying Greek," by Col. Steve N. Pisanos, USAF (Ret.), formerly of 71 Eagle Squadron, RAF (Potomac Books). I had the honor to meet him, as well as Jim Goodson, "Red" McColpin and some other pilots at a dinner in Santa Ana, about 15 years ago. Time works against us. They truly were Eagles! Many thanks for the great video post.

[miscreantt]

I have a great-uncle who was in the 71. George S Maxwell. Still alive and kicking in Maryland.

[keenanthered79]

My grandfather was Thomas Wallace, do you know if they ever have reunions?

[mrphamtastik]

in the book by alex kershaw, the few, there are accounts of reunions in london.

[Elite59]

Thank you for posting this excellent video!

[DEANMARITA]

Bang on chaps! Chocks away!

[zucoy21z89]

Well done chaps, make sure your back in time for tea and crumpets and a good old sing song!!haha

[copewood333]

Red Tobin and Shorty Keogh were amongst these early volunteers. The first of the many. Salute them!

[RSH123]

thank you Leebm29 for the kind words regarding John "Red" Campbell. I had the good luck to marry his youngest daughter and we are all living happily in Arizona. I attached a video slideshow of the Eagle Sq's last (final) reunion . . . hope you enjoy.

[Leebm29]

Well I want to thank you for your wisdom to marry their beautiful daughter. We had a wonderful visit with them in San Diego and later in San Mateo. I did see your video and am disappointed that we didnt make the last reunion. If you have Carpenter's Gray's and Miluck's Email addresses please forward to me Lee

[Leebm29]

There are several great books about 'The Eagle Squadrons' written by Vern Haugland . My favorite living Eagle is John (Red) Campbell, there are at least 2 more still in good health

John Carpenter and Jim Gray. Red was a very close friend of my brother Earl who flew out of Kirton in Lindsey England in 1941 Lbmason71 at comcast dot net

[suppmarkxb]

eagle squedron was mentioned in pearl harbour

[cpluseless]

Good show, but anything is better than riding a bolshie horse through a wild-west desert if you are after adventure.

[swisstoony]

True American heroes. But not the first yanks flying in the RAF! How times change though, there are now UK pilots flying for US Squadrons in Iraq and Afghanistan.