No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Squadron
Insignia of the No 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF and the 4th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide case:"wall insignia E Ritchie" media-388253.jpg FRE 5334 Insignia of the No 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF and the 4th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide case:"wall insignia E Ritchie" Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5334 - Insignia of the No 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF and the 4th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide case:"wall insignia E Ritchie"

'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 to Spitfires in August and took part in sweeps over northern France. On 29 September 1942, the Squadron was transferred to the 4th Pursuit Group, US Army Air Force as the 334th Pursuit Squadron and ceased to be an RAF unit.'

From raf.mod.uk

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Squadron Leader
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Sqn Ldr
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34139
  • Highest Rank: Wing Commander
  • Role/Job: Pilot / CO
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 90241
  • Highest Rank: Wing Commander
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37683
  • Highest Rank: Squadron Leader
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Sqn Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34189
  • Highest Rank: Wing Commander
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Sqn C/O

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Martlesham Heath 9 April 1941

Based

Kirton-in-Lindsey 8 April 1941

Based

Debden

People

Lieutenant Robert Boock, Lieutenant James Clarke, Captain William T O'Regan, Lieutenant-Colonel Chesley G Peterson, Captain Richard McMinn, Captain Stanley Anderson and Captain Oscar Coen of the 4th Fighter Group with a Spitfire at Debden Passed by the U.S. Army censor on 30 March 1943.

Printed caption attached to print: 
'Lt. Col. Chesley G. Peterson D.S.O., D.F.C., U.S. Army Air Force 4th (crossed through with censor's red pencil) Group Britain, who formerly commanded the old Eagle Squadron, seen at
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885096
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 87008
  • Highest Rank: Squadron Leader
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 496th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 555th Fighter Training Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885151
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Squadron Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 83702
  • Highest Rank: Flying Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885184
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Manchester Corporation Transporter
  • Unit: 313th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron 66th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorhighasakite88
Changes
Sources

ORB Summary April 1941

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Addition of Sqn commanders.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entries

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entries

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entries - Transfer from Eagle Group to RAF Sqn

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entries

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes

No 71 'Eagle' Squadron: Gallery (135 items)