Firstly let me apologise to all as I haven’t posted recently. I am suffering from some eyesight issues which is on going but I will do my best to continue posting as often as I can.
133 Squadron
Many months prior to the US actually joining WWII there was some Americans that just felt a need to get amongst it. 133 squadron was made up of American personnel volunteers who wanted to get a head start in the fight against the Third Reich.
These American volunteers joined RAF Eagle Squadron who made their name fighting during WWI, it was first formed 1918 at RAF Ternhill as a training unit for the Handley page 0/400.
Reformed 1941 at RAF Coltishall, the third Eagle Squadron which was equipped with Hawker Hurricane 11B fighters.
By August 1941 they operated out of RAF Duxford and then onto RAF Eglinton, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, whilst at RAF Eglinton they flew many missions over the seas around Northern Ireland in Supermarine Spitfires 11AS.
Their objective was to protect the many ships transporting supplies from the US to the UK. This was all happening prior to December 7th 1941 when the US finally followed in their footsteps and joined WWII.
Later the fighter squadron flew many missions over France after it was transferred to the USAAF after which it was known as the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group.
I find these obscure smaller WWII facts fascinating……..
some great links:
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Wolfe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._133_Squadron_RAF#1941_Spitfire_crash_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland
A very enjoyable and interesting post. FWIW it made me recall the movie Pearl Harbor. If I’m not mistaken, one of the main characters joined this squadron. Sorry about the eyesight issues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much your comments… and yes. Think I now also recall something about the film also…
LikeLike
The more I learn about that remarkable generation – the more amazed I become!
LikeLiked by 1 person
With you, this is why I love WWII history, there is just so much going on in the background… to uncover and share
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, it’s hard to decide what I should post next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have so much material, not just places I have actually visited but little gems like this one,, gonna need a system!! Lol…. plus better eye sight at the moment..
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha, I KNOW that feeling!!
LikeLiked by 1 person