American Eagle Squadrons and Pilots
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
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American Eagle Squadrons Print.
Print Size 12x18", Open Edition $18.00
American
Eagles
Before America entered World War II in the skies over England there was a group of young Americans who were compelled to defy Adolph Hitler as the German Blitzkrieg rained terror over Europe. These young men flew and fought for one of our most trusted allies, England. The English welcomed our brave volunteers some of which were self-taught. The American aviators were acrobatic pilots at county fairs, barn storming crop dusters pilots. Flying aircraft they repaired themselves held together with bailing wire, pulleys and twine, fabric and dope all brave and seeking adventure.
They boldly volunteered to fight for their fellow man when man and machine were equally matched. This was the ultimate challenge as two mighty nations produced skilled aviators and state of the art aviation technology to combat each other. Gladiators had chariots; Knights had their Steeds, and now, Aces! Warriors of the air flying handsome fabric and steal winged fire breathing dragons! How their hearts soared! Manhood! Combat! Victory or death! Together their engines roared as they closed their canopies and charged into a three dimensional battlefield never contemplated before in the annals of war.
The Air War over England brought our Young Eagles to the battle.
A total of 244 American pilots joined the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
RAF records show that 109 of them lost their lives in their efforts.
They never turned away from their challenges, but faced them.
They were American Eagles.
The History of the Eagle Squadrons
Hawker
Hurricane's of No. 71 Group.
There
were three squadrons created and manned by the American aviators, serving as the
“Eagle Squadrons”, Squadron No. 71, No. 121, and No. 133. Many other
American pilots served in the Royal Air Force in other squadrons through out the world from China,
Africa, the Philippines, and India.
William R. Dunn was the first Eagle Squadron Pilot to shoot down a German aircraft, the first Eagle Squadron pilot to become an Ace, and the first official American Ace of WWII.
The Supermarine Spitfire V illustrated above belonged to the No. 71 squadron flown by Carroll McColpin who was an ace within 45 days of entering combat. McColpin was credited with 8 aerial victories.
Here
are other Americans that served with the Eagle Squadrons.
No. 71. Oscar H. Coen, Spiros N. Pisanos, Howard D. Hively, and Chesley G. Peterson. No.121. Kenneth G. Smith, Reade F. Tilley, Selden R. Edner, Roy W. Evans, George Carpenter, John J. Lynch, and Jackson B. Mahon. No. 133. Don S. Gentile, Donald Blakeslee, James A. Goodson, and Richard L. Alexander.
Spitfire of the 71st Squadron
Carroll McColpin' s Story
At the age of twenty five, Carroll “Red” McColpin was one of many young American men who would join the Royal Air Force to fly and fight against the German Luftwaffe.
The
United States was not at war yet, but McColpin, being a pilot, watched England
fight alone against Germany during the Battle of Britain.
England had showed the world that they could stand against the might of
the Luftwaffe. Americans volunteers
like “Red” McColpin were eager to enter the fight.
Joining
the RAF was done through recruiters that were in the United States illegally.
They would sign up volunteers and send them through Canada to England. The more flying experience one had, the easier it was to join McColpin
remembers.
As
a young man, Carroll had built his
own airplane and taught himself the basics of stick flying and aerial acrobatics
by the age of sixteen. This was an act influenced by fate and not simple
interest in aviation. No one built their own airplane and taught themselves how
to fly.
After Carroll signed up for the RAF he started the migration into Canada where he received directions to Britain. Once in England McColpin was assigned to No. 607 Squadron which was a mix of all nationalities. Poles, French, Dutch all with different languages and different training. Yet they were the best their countries offered and they quickly joined together to fight against one foe. Their mission was to protect shipping in the Scapa Flow area.
Discussions
were held at the Air Ministry that the numbers of foreign pilots were swelling
and whole units should be formed for their conveniences. McColpin joined No. 121, which was a newly formed
American Squadron. Tough times were
common with himself and the others pulling constant missions for eight months
without leave. Many of their flights were at night. By
this time the
Luftwaffe had shifted from daylight bombing to night attacks. The area of the
Channel the squadron was covering was the least active with enemy traffic. This
was to give the new recruits some time in the air before they were thrown onto
combat like earlier during the Battle of Britain.
Once
the group gained experience 121 Squadron with “Red” escorted bombers as they penetrated into France on
strategic bombing missions. They
also flew aggressive missions they called “rhubarb”,
where “Red” and his fellow pilots would fly into France very fast and low shooting
up everything they could find that was German.
McColpin was the only American to fly combat in all three American Eagle Squadrons. His total missions in these Squadrons exceeded three hundred counting the ones he flew with the 607. Red was a double ace before Pearl Harbor and was the first American to be decorated, in Buckingham Palace by King George during World War II. McColpin was a leading Squadron commander credited with 12 kills, 5 probable, and 12 damaged while with the Eagle Squadrons.
Red
wasn’t one to boast nor bothered to claim all of his victories. He
told me that he is positive that he shot down at least ten more while with the Eagle
Squadrons but never bothered to claim them. Once
he shot down a German aircraft that exploded into a fireball in front of his Spitfire. "Red" only claimed it as a “damaged”
to his plane captain as he climbed out of his cockpit after he landed back at
base. Red and the other pilots shared beers
in the "shack" after their debriefing. His crew chief came in
among the drinking aviators and confronted Red with a piece of scalp from the German
aviator that was stuck in the corner of the canopy of his Spitfire. Everyone
laughed and cheered! The “damaged” was changed to a confirmed kill.
“Red” finished his flying for the RAF in No. 336 squadron as commander. After transferring to the United States Army Air Force, “Red” was promoted to Major and flew as Commander of the 404th fighter Group, No. 336 Squadron. “Red” flew the P-47 which was quite different from the Spitfire. Red explained to me that when he first saw a Thunderbolt he could not believe how large it was. He led four group missions non stop during the D-Day invasion. His first mission started at 3:00 a.m. on the morning of June 4th and landing from his last mission for the day at 1:00a.m. on June 5th, the next morning.
Getting
credit for destroying enemy aircraft on the ground
was not counted by the British pilots. Red never counted his ground victories, however in both services Red
could have claimed a minimum of ten
more Luftwaffe aircraft of mixed types destroyed on the ground by attacking German airfields in France and
Germany. McColpin scored another 8 confirmed kills while in the Army Air Force.
Carroll “Red” McColpin was an out standing airman for both the Royal Air Force as well as the Army Air Force flying over 500 combat missions. McColpin retired as a Major General Commanding the 4th U.S.A.F. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation and the British Distinguished Flying Cross.
I only talked to Carroll two times on the phone in the late 1990's. I regret never publishing the print of his Spitfire while he was alive. The reason was because I was working two jobs most of the time and publishing as many print as I could afford. I was doing all I could and could not fit another aviator or print in my schedule or budget. If I had the additional budget, I would have been able to do more. Somehow I wish I had more time with Carroll. His life was the ultimate American Adventurer tale. Carroll McColpin is an American Eagle. Carroll is an American Hero. He saw danger and acted. How many of us have?
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com
Started 2-10-07