While the United States sought to remain neutral in the early years of World War II, some Americans did not. This book is the first to provide the operational records and combat reports of the three American “Eagle” Royal Air Force squadrons—units comprised of volunteer American pilots who served with the British prior to the U.S. entering the war.
The records tell the story of the more than 200 pilots who, against federal law, flew with the British in their fight against Nazi Germany. While some Americans served individually in other RAF units, these three squadrons—the 71st, 121st and 133rd—were the only ones organized exclusively for Americans. They were the first of dozens of American fighter squadrons that would soar over Europe.

Timothy S. Good is a National Park Service employee who lives in Chatham, Illinois. His research interests lie in the history of Abraham Lincoln and in American maritime history.

Edited by Timothy S. Good
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 229
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7954-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3763-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  vi
Preface  1
Introduction  3
Part I: Operational Record Books  9
Royal Air Force Squadron 71  20
Royal Air Force Squadron 121  83
Royal Air Force Squadron 133  132
Part II: Fighter Command Combat Reports  157
Royal Air Force Squadron 71  157
Royal Air Force Squadron 121  189
Royal Air Force Squadron 133  201
Notes  215
Bibliography  217
Index  219