8th Air Force
Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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Eagle Squadron members L - R:
Robert Book, James Clark, William O'Regan, Chesley Peterson, Richard McMinn, Stan Anderson and Oscar Coen. Spitfire XR-Z in the background.
Connections
Units
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4th Fighter Group
Group
Some of the pilots of the 4th Fighter Group had seen many hours of combat by the time they joined the 4th Fighter Group as they had volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The three 'Eagle Squadrons' of RAF Fighter... -
334th Fighter Squadron
Squadron
The 334th Fighter Squadron was the successor to No. 71 Eagle squadron of the Royal Air Force when the 4th Fighter Group was activated on 12 September 1942. They were based at Debden Field, Essex. The "Fighting Eagles" as they were called, flew... -
No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron
Squadron
'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. No. 71 converted...
People
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Stanley Anderson
Military | Captain | fighter pilot-1055 single engine
Joined RAFVR, assigned to 71[Eagle] Sqn RAF, transferred to 334th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF USAAF. ... -
James Clark
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot; Deputy Commanding Officer
Initially assigned to the 71st Eagle Squadron in June 1942. With the founding of the 4th Fighter Group that September, he was assigned to the 334th Squadron, where he eventually became its Commanding Officer. ... -
Oscar Coen
Military | Colonel | Fighter Pilot-1055 Squadron Commander
Oscar Coen was born in Wallum, North Dakota on 11 May 1917. He spent his boyhood on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a bachelor of science degree. ... -
Richard McMinn
Military | Captain | Fighter pilot
Joined RAFVR, service pilot training in US, shipped overseas to ETO, operational training at OTU, assigned to 71 [Eagle] Sqn RAF, transferred to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF, ... -
William O'Regan
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Fighter Pilot
Joined RAFVR, service pilot training, shipped overseas to ETO, OTU training, assigned to 71S, transfer to 334th FS, 4th FG, ... -
Chesley Peterson
Military | Major General | Fighter Pilot 1055 single engine/Group Commander
Whilst serving with No. 71 Eagle Squadron, he was promoted to Flt Lt - the first American in the Eagle Squadrons to be promoted above the enlisted rank of Pilot Officer. ...
Locations
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Debden
Military site : airfield
RAF Debden, construction of which began in 1935, is perhaps most famous as a Battle of Britain fighter airfield, partly responsible for the defence of London in 1940. In 1942 it was also home to three RAF 'Eagle Squadrons’ of volunteer American pilots... -
Kirton-in-Lindsey
Military site : airfield
Used as an RFC and RAF Home Defence landing ground during the First World War, Kirton-in-Lindsey was built during 1938-40 as an RAF fighter station. It had two grass runways, 10 hardstandings, three grouped C hangars and four over-blister hangars.... -
Martlesham Heath
Military site : airfield
Opened in 1917 as home to the RFC Aeroplane Experimental Unit, Martlesham Heath became well known during the 1920s-30s as home to the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment. Used as an RAF fighter station from 1939, with only a grass airfield...
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 26 February 2016 10:24:29 | Al_Skiff | Changes to person associations |
| Sources | ||
Eagle squadron re-alignment. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 26 February 2016 10:22:07 | Al_Skiff | Changes to caption, unit associations, person associations and place associations |
| Sources | ||
Eagle squadron re-alignment. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 March 2015 20:02:42 | apollo11 | Created entry with caption, unit associations and person associations |
| Sources | ||
Uploaded |
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