No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
Squadron
media-401115.jpg
FRE 2318
Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder of No. 121 Eagle Squadron, RAF sits on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald Wilson MacLeod in order to reach the Stars and Stripes , 27 November 1941. Passed for publication 27 Nov 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 Hrs Sat. Nov 29th. First Pictures Of Second Eagle Squadron. 27.11.42. These are the first pictures to be taken of the second of the three American Eagle Squadrons to be formed in this country as units of the RAF Fighter Command. Since it was formed some three months ago the squadron has flown many hours on important convoy protection patrol off the British coast. It has also taken part in many other offensive operations. The Squadron is equipped with cannon firing Spitfires, and is led by an Englishman, S/L R.P.R. Powell, DFC. The picture shows:- Pilot Officer Kenneth Leror Holder, of Buena Park, California, stands on the shoulders of P/O Donald Wilson MacLeod (Blackstone, Mass.) to adjust the American flag.' On reverse: Central Press Photo Agency, Air Adviser and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
'On 14 May 1941, No. 121 was reformed at Kirton-in-Lindsey as the second 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American volunteers. Equipped with Hurricanes, it began defensive patrols in October but in November it converted to Spitfires. It moved to North Weald in December 1941 and in February 1942 began to take part in fighter sweeps over northern France. These continued until the Squadron was transferred to the US Army Air Force on 29 September 1942, becoming the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group at Debden.'
From raf.mod.uk
Commanding Officers
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: British
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33278
- Highest Rank: Wing Commander
- Role/Job: Pilot
Connections
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Unit stations
Station | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
Based |
Kirton-in-Lindsey | 14 May 1941 |
Based |
Southend-on-Sea | |
Based |
Debden |
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: J/15015
- Highest Rank: Flight Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: R/58580
- Highest Rank: Flight Sergeant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885177
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 335th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885205
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: 108628
- Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Nicknames: Western Samoa
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Nicknames: Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Nicknames: Bihar VI
- Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron