American Third Reich pilots
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American Third Reich pilots
Does anyone know if there was a German equivalent of the RAF Eagle squadrons during WW2 whilst the US was neutral?
There must have been plenty of Americans with German heritage who might have sought such a role?
I've tried Googling it but found nil.
There must have been plenty of Americans with German heritage who might have sought such a role?
I've tried Googling it but found nil.
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Very pertinent and interesting question, given the German American Bund existence at the time. After all, the RAF had many nationalities join, such as Argentineans and Mexicans.
Very pertinent and interesting question, given the German American Bund existence at the time. After all, the RAF had many nationalities join, such as Argentineans and Mexicans.
Does anyone know if there was a German equivalent of the RAF Eagle squadrons during WW2
It must have been quite an internal struggle for many of the German-Americans, whose parents might have only emigrated a couple of decades before to the USA and would no doubt still speak, act, and live 'German' at home and within their community. No doubt the heart strings were pulled when the Vaterland was mobilising, especially at that time the US had no involvement in the war, so who knows how many made the trip across the atlantic to offer their services.
SHJ
SHJ
I do not think that particular feeling would affect many. Before Pearl Harbour the Germans were winning the war so they didn't need to bother.
Then Germany declared war on th USA.
Then Germany declared war on th USA.
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Mr Cyflyer, not entirely so. One combatant I knew personally was found not guilty, spent a year in solitary anyway, and then released.
But on with the thread: there was an american pilot who made a dash for the german side in a Lightning, having claimed it needed a test-flight. Po valley, if memory serves? Subsequently charged with treason, I believe.
But on with the thread: there was an american pilot who made a dash for the german side in a Lightning, having claimed it needed a test-flight. Po valley, if memory serves? Subsequently charged with treason, I believe.
In Australia, at the outbreak of both wars, many of German origin, even some who were naturalised, were interred. Among the public at large the xenophobia directed at anyone with even a slightly Germanic name was insane. Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger, who in the Second World War held substantive rank in the RAAF spoke of it to his biographer.
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I seem to remember in the South African Air Force Museum in Cape Town there was a tribute to those South Africans who had fought for the RAF and another for those who had fought in the Luftwaffe.
I was also told of two brothers from Holland, one became a decorated fighter pilot in the RAF whilst the other became a highly decorated soldier in the Waffen SS in Russia.
Life, it seems isn't always that simple!
I was also told of two brothers from Holland, one became a decorated fighter pilot in the RAF whilst the other became a highly decorated soldier in the Waffen SS in Russia.
Life, it seems isn't always that simple!
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Originally Posted by Doodlebug
there was an american pilot who made a dash for the german side in a Lightning
I/C
If it was proven that his propaganda activities had resulted in the deaths of Americans then he probably, and rightly, would have been executed. Look at what happened to Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce). He dangled.
, so who knows how many made the trip across the atlantic to offer their services.
I've never seen any record as to the numbers, or of any specific units set up to accommodate them. FWIW there's a brief mention of them in the TV series of "Bad of Brothers".
Last edited by wiggy; 9th Feb 2013 at 15:39.
