Well chaps, I would rather like to have some information and what have you on the 7 pilots who flew with the RAFduring the Battle of Britain, and not just Billy Fiske. It is possible that with correct information, detailed information and fact we may be able to make a difference with ‘The Few’ when it comes out. If you can help, please do – or email me off board if you prefer. [email]609photos@tiscali.co.uk[/email] .
I will pass on all the useful stuff to people who would appreciate it and who will hopefully be able to make a difference. In return, please don’t do any slagging of the film on this thread – there are plenty of other threads for that!
“Don’t just stand there…”
By: Dave Homewood - 15th May 2004 at 02:56
This websitelists ten Americans who flew in the Battle of Britain, and gives a little about each.
I know one of them appeared in the series Hunters In The Sky, interviewed about his part in the war. Can’t recall which one now. I think he was in a few episodes including International Squadrons about the Eagle Sqns.
By: EN830 - 14th May 2004 at 16:47
I compiled a list when The Few was first annouced, when I get home I’ll dig it out and let you know.
By: skypilot62 - 14th May 2004 at 14:27
Just bumping this for Snapper as it was old when I originally replied
By: skypilot62 - 7th May 2004 at 10:40
Snapper – thought the following may be of interest as the link above has a few inaccuracies.
Andrew Beck Mamedoff was born in Thompson Connecticut. On 8 Oct 1941 he was leading a group of 15 Hurricanes of 133 sqdn from Fowlmere to Eglinton (N. Ireland). A refuelling stop was scheduled at Andreas (Isle of Man) but due to bad weather the group got split up. Mamedoff and several others tried letting down through the cloud but unfortunately he crashed and was killed at Maughold (pronounced Mackold) on the NE coast of the Isle of Man. 3 other pilots were also lost, the remainder landing safely elsewhere. All 4 airmen were buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. Therefore Andrew Mamedoff was not killed in combat as stated elsewhere. He was 29 and had recently married.
In October 1996 the Manx Aviation Preservation Society (which I formed 2 years previously) held a memorial service in Maughold churchyard and unveiled a plaque in memory of the 4 airmen. One of the pilot’s sister attended as well as Wilson (Bill) Edwards of the Eagle Squadron Association. A letter was read out from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who recalled meeting some of those killed. I read a passage from the bible and another MAPS member, Steve Poole orgainsed the whole event. We even had a Flypast from a Wessex Helicopter, trailing both RAF and US flags and carrying a USAF exchange officer on board. The helicopter landed next to the church.
To read a better account and photos :
http://www.maps.iofm.net/broken_wings.htm
Also see Steve Poole’s superb book “Rough Landing Or Fatal Flight” which has details on all 4 airmen as well as the American ATA ferry pilot killed the same day in a Wellington which crashed into a hill nearby. It also details some 250 aircrashes on and around the Isle of Man.
Hope this is of some use.
By: Dan Johnson - 7th May 2004 at 02:08
Check out this article Snapper. It covers as he describes them, the “Pre-Eagles” in fairly good detail. Note at the bottom it was done by an English researcher.
http://www.afa.org/magazine/1990/0190eagles.asp
Being from Minnesota myself, Art Donahue from St. Charles Minnesota is the one of the original 7 acknowledged to have flown in the B of B that stands out. Flew with 61 Squadron, was wounded in late August if memory serves. Later served with 71 briefly before going to 91 squadron then on to fly Hurricanes in the Far East before returning to 91 Squadron where he was killed in late 42 over the Channel.
Wrote two books. “Tally Ho-Yankee in a Spitfire” and “Last Flight From Singapore” about his experiences.
Dan
Sign In
May 7, 2004 at 12:01 am