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 Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 Hrs Sat.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 media-401115.jpg 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 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 Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 Hrs Sat.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 Command. Since it was formed some three months ago the squadron has flown many hours on important convoy protection patrol off the British coast. It has also taken part in many other offensive operations. The Squadron is equipped with cannon firing Spitfires, and is led by an Englishman, S/L R.P.R. Powell, DFC. The picture shows:- Pilot Officer Kenneth Leror Holder, of Buena Park, California, stands on the shoulders of P/O Donald Wilson MacLeod (Blackstone, Mass.) to adjust the American flag.' On reverse: Central Press Photo Agency, Air Adviser and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

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

  • 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

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885160
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 65th Fighter Wing 335th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885130
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 106352
  • Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885358
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885208
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Bombay and Baroda Central Indian Railway III’
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Addition of sqn commander.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry transfer.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes

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