No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Squadron
Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF sits on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald Wilson MacLeod in order to reach the Stars and Stripes , 27 November 1941. Passed for publication 27 Nov 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 Hrs Sat. Nov 29th. First Pictures Of Second Eagle Squadron. 27.11.42. These are the first pictures to be taken of the second of the three American Eagle Squadrons to be formed in this country as units of the RAF Fighter Comm

Object Number - FRE 2318 - Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF sits on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald Wilson MacLeod in order to reach the...

'On 14 May 1941, No. 121 was reformed at Kirton-in-Lindsey as the second 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American volunteers. Equipped with Hurricanes, it began defensive patrols in October but in November it converted to Spitfires. It moved to North Weald in December 1941 and in February 1942 began to take part in fighter sweeps over northern France. These continued until the Squadron was transferred to the US Army Air Force on 29 September 1942, becoming the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group at Debden.'
From raf.mod.uk

Commanding Officers

Robin Peter Reginald Powell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33278
  • Highest Rank: Wing Commander
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Kirton-in-Lindsey 14 May 1941

Based

Southend-on-Sea

Based

Debden

People

Thomas Wilcox Allen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: J/15015
  • Highest Rank: Flight Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Frederick Carleton Austin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: R/58580
  • Highest Rank: Flight Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Ernest David Beatie

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885177
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Major Leon M. Blanding, a pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, at Debden. He wears an A-2 flight jacket.

Leon McFaddin Blanding

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 335th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885205
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Carl Olaf Bodding

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 108628
  • Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

AA732

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Western Samoa
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

AA841

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

AA871

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Royal Tunbridge Wells
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

AA903

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 52nd Fighter Group No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

AB206

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Bihar VI
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Revisions

Date28 Feb 2016 14:52:22
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

Addition of sqn commander.

Date23 Feb 2016 22:44:37
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM DB Entry transfer.

Date23 Feb 2016 17:01:59
ContributorLucy May
Sources

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/121squadron.cfm

No 121 'Eagle' Squadron: Gallery (121 items)

Object number: UPL 24508 - "Movietone News" newsreel "Second Squadron With...

Object number: UPL 24509 - A 5 newsreel Video on YouTube by "Bomberguy": "RAF...

Guest of honour, Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent, and other dignatories review soldiers of the 4th Fighter Group on the parade ground at Debden, Essex. Passed by the U.S. Army on 25 June 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'DUCHESS OF KENT PRESENTS PLAQUES TO FORMER EAGLE SQUADRON PILOTS. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into

Object number: FRE 13 - Guest of honour, Princess Marina, the Duchess of...

Soldiers of the 4th Fighter Group march across the parade ground at Debden, Essex in front of the guest of honour, Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent, and other dignatories. Passed by the U.S. Army on 25 June 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'DUCHESS OF KENT PRESENTS PLAQUES TO FORMER EAGLE SQUADRON PILOTS. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry

Object number: FRE 14 - Soldiers of the 4th Fighter Group march across the...

Everett W Stewart and pilots of the 4th Fighter Group, formerly of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF with a Spitfire Mk V.

Object number: FRE 2293 - Everett W Stewart and pilots of the 4th Fighter...

Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF sits on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald Wilson MacLeod in order to reach the Stars and Stripes , 27 November 1941. Passed for publication 27 Nov 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 Hrs Sat. Nov 29th. First Pictures Of Second Eagle Squadron. 27.11.42. These are the first pictures to be taken of the second of the three American Eagle Squadrons to be formed in this country as units of the RAF Fighter Comm

Object number: FRE 2318 - Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121...

Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF sits on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald Wilson MacLeod in order to reach the Stars and Stripes , 27 November 1941. Passed for publication 27 Nov 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'The Second Eagle Squadron. E.M.MCN. This Squadron as the second of the three American Eagle Squadrons to be formed in this country as units of the R.A.F. Fighter Command. Since it was formed some three months ago the Squadron has flown many hours on importa

Object number: FRE 2319 - Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121...

Jim Daley of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF with his Spitfire Mk. V. Handwritten caption on reverse: '121 E.S. Fox Studio Photo U.K. Jim Daley, Pilot.'

Object number: FRE 2330 - William J 'Diamond Jim' Daley of No. 121 Eagle...

The Duchess of Kent, Colonel Edward Anderson and General Frankel D. Hunter inspect aP-47 Thunderbolt of the 4th Fighter Group during a royal visit to Debden, June 1943. Passed as censored 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the

Object number: FRE 2359 - The Duchess of Kent, Colonel Edward Anderson and...

The Duchess of Kent inspects personnel of 4th Fighter Group during a royal visit to Debden, June 1943. Passed for publication 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the war. Keystone Photo Shows: Left to Right: Col. Anderson, of Ta

Object number: FRE 2360 - The Duchess of Kent inspects personnel of 4th...

The Duchess of Kent inspects personnel of 4th Fighter Group during a royal visit to Debden, June 1943. Passed for publication 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the war. Keystone Photo Shows: Left to Right: Col. Anderson, of Ta

Object number: FRE 2361 - The Duchess of Kent inspects personnel of 4th...

The Duchess of Kent during a royal visit to the 4th Fighter Group at Debden, June 1943. Passed for publication 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the war. Keystone Photo Shows: Left to Right: Col. Anderson, of Tampa, Fla., Comm

Object number: FRE 2362 - The Duchess of Kent during a royal visit to the...