Author Topic: World War II Trivia (027)  (Read 786 times)

Offline Rafe35

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World War II Trivia (027)
« on: January 03, 2005, 11:43:02 PM »
Well, It's been long time that I haven't post any WWII Trivia since 6-29-04 and decide to come back for new WWII Trivia.

Question:

What was the unofficial designation of the group of American volunteer pilots who flew for Great Britain during the Battle of Britain(1940)?
Rafe35
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Offline Pongo

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« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2005, 11:47:03 PM »
Eagle Squadron.

Offline GRUNHERZ

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« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2005, 12:26:49 AM »
Tom Cruise

Offline spitfiremkv

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« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2005, 12:33:17 AM »
Luftwaffe

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2005, 03:12:36 AM »
Eagle Squadrons.  ES 71 "First From the Eyries", ES 121 "For Liberty", and ES 133 "Let us to the Battle"

From the time the first Eagle Squadron was formed in September 1940 until all three squadrons were disbanded and incorporated into the USAAF in September 1942, they destroyed 73 1/2 German planes while 77 American and 5 British members were killed.

Technically, don't most Brits reckon the BoB was pretty much ended in September though?  Even though I have seen references to it as ending in October, I remember in 2000 when they had the 60th anniversary it was held on September 17th (although I'm not sure why that exact date was chosen).  Also, according to the USAF museum, Eagle squadron pilots did not fly a combat mission until February 5, 1941.

While some nationalities had their own squadrons (like the 303 "Polish" squadron) during the BoB in the summer of 1940, I am not aware of any specific American squadrons before the Eagles.  I believe there were 44 Americans serving in the RAF during the summer of 1940, but they were mixed in with other nationalities in various squadrons.

« Last Edit: January 04, 2005, 03:33:12 AM by StarOfAfrica2 »

Offline Angus

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« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2005, 06:29:21 AM »
Thought it was Ben Affleck :D
It was very interesting to carry out the flight trials at Rechlin with the Spitfire and the Hurricane. Both types are very simple to fly compared to our aircraft, and childishly easy to take-off and land. (Werner Mölders)

Offline GScholz

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« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2005, 07:01:57 AM »
Yes, must be Affleck. Cruise was the Lost Samurai.
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Offline Rafe35

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« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2005, 07:55:42 PM »
Pongo and StarofAfrica got the right answer, Congrats both of you!  :D

Blah on Tom and Ben.  :p
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Offline rshubert

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« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2005, 08:38:20 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Eagle Squadrons.  ES 71 "First From the Eyries", ES 121 "For Liberty", and ES 133 "Let us to the Battle"


Technically, don't most Brits reckon the BoB was pretty much ended in September though?  Even though I have seen references to it as ending in October, I remember in 2000 when they had the 60th anniversary it was held on September 17th (although I'm not sure why that exact date was chosen).  Also, according to the USAF museum, Eagle squadron pilots did not fly a combat mission until February 5, 1941.

While some nationalities had their own squadrons (like the 303 "Polish" squadron) during the BoB in the summer of 1940, I am not aware of any specific American squadrons before the Eagles.  I believe there were 44 Americans serving in the RAF during the summer of 1940, but they were mixed in with other nationalities in various squadrons.



Sept. 17 is BoB day because that was the day of the heaviest attacks, IIRC.

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2005, 07:46:22 PM »
Cool, thanks!  Always looking for bits of trivia I didnt know to add to my store.  :)

Offline Guppy35

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Re: World War II Trivia (027)
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2005, 11:48:37 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Rafe35
Well, It's been long time that I haven't post any WWII Trivia since 6-29-04 and decide to come back for new WWII Trivia.

Question:

What was the unofficial designation of the group of American volunteer pilots who flew for Great Britain during the Battle of Britain(1940)?


OK guys lets get it straight.  The Eagle Squadrons did not participate in the Battle of Britain at any point in time.  

71 Eagle Squadron was declared operational in October 1940.  But this was not accurate.  At the end of October 1940 it had recieved 3 Brewster Buffalos for training.  It did not fly a combat mission until May of 1941.

There were 7 Americans recognized as having flown for the RAF in the Battle Of Britain.  There were clearly others who did as well, but as Canadian citizens.

BUT  The Eagle Squadrons were not involved.

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Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2005, 12:33:52 AM »
Read my post above.

Offline Guppy35

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« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2005, 01:11:50 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Read my post above.


Saw it, so clearly the answer was not the Eagle Squadrons :)

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Offline Rafe35

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« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2005, 01:24:12 AM »
Sorry, Guppy, The correct answer is Eagle Squadron which I got the Questions/Answers from Armchair General Magazine (From Vol. 1/No. 4).

Wanna talk to them?  Contract them at  http://armchairgeneral.com/page_left_column.php?content=contact_us
Rafe35
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Offline Guppy35

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« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2005, 02:29:17 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Rafe35
Sorry, Guppy, The correct answer is Eagle Squadron which I got the Questions/Answers from Armchair General Magazine (From Vol. 1/No. 4).

Wanna talk to them?  Contract them at  http://armchairgeneral.com/page_left_column.php?content=contact_us


Guess I'll have to :)

There's no doubt that the Eagle Squadrons did not fly during the Battle of Britain.

The Americans were scattered among regular RAF Squdrons.  Three were with 609, Tobin, Mamendoff and Keogh one was with 54, Art Donahue from my home state of Minnesota, one with 601. Billy Fiske, who was killed in a Hurricane. Not remembering the other two guys off the top of my head.  Same Leckrone was the name of one of them Not sure what Squadron.

71, 121 and 133 just weren't there yet however

Dan/Slack
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