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RAF Church Fenton
17th October 1939 On the move
1st December 1939 Moved again
December 1939 Coastal patrols
13th January 1940 Moved again
2nd March 1940 Moved again
April 1940 Re-equipped with Spitfires
16th May 1940 Relocated
1st June 1940 Withdrawn for recuperation
17th June 1940 Disaster
6th July 1940 RAF Exeter operational
15th August 1940 Yorkshire bombed
31st Aug 1940 Air Raid
5th Sept 1940 Rest and renewal
5th September 1940 Recuperation
19th September 1940 New squadron formed Under American law, it was illegal for United States citizens to join the armed forces of foreign nations, and in doing so, they forfeited their US citizenship. Nevertheless in 1939 American mercenary Colonel Charles Sweeney had begun raising an American squadron to fight in Europe. He managed to dodge the FBI and Axis agents while illegally seeking pilots in the United States, risking $1000 fines and prison. Initially he wanted them to fight in Finland against the Russians, but his attention soon moved to France. Recruited and financed by Sweeney, over thirty Americans made their way to France before the Germans invaded in May, 1940. Although some joined the French Air Force, none got to fly in France. Several made their way to Britain after the German invasion of France and were recruited into RAF service.
After the fall of France the United States relaxed its concern over British recruiting and in July 1940 the FBI declared that there was 'no wrong done' by Sweeney (although those who had already left to join the Allied forces did not get their Citizenship officially restored until 1944). In Canada WWI Ace Air Vice Marshall Billy Bishop VC and a WWI American pilot, Clayton Knight, created the Clayton Knight Committee with the purpose of recruiting and training Americans for the Royal Canadian Air Force. By the end of 1941 Sweeney and the Committee had recruited over 7,000 Americans (though fewer than 15 percent became pilots). Almost all the pilots went to Britain to serve with the Royal Air Force.
With the steady influx of US volunteers, the RAF agreed to create a new Squadron to be manned by American personnel under British RAF officers, and on the 19 September 1940 No. 71 Squadron was reformed at Church Fenton. Sweeney had designed a unit shoulder patch bearing an American Eagle, giving squadron the title 71 Eagle Squadron. Seven of the initial recruits had already seen action in the Battle of Britain as members of other squadrons: Billy Fiske, Eugene 'Red' Tobin, Andrew Mamedoff, Vernon 'Shorty' Keough, Arthur Donahue, John Haviland and Phil Leckrone. Other recruits came through Canada with Canadian or civilian flying qualifications, and the initial task of the seven experienced flyers was to train their new colleagues.
The Squadron was initially equipped with American-built Brewster Buffalos. Royal Air Force acceptance personnel criticised the aircraft on numerous points, including excessive weight (despite a limited armament and a lack of pilot armour), poor high-altitude performance, engine overheating, unreliability and poor cockpit controls. The aircraft were deemed unsuitable for European conflict as it was being experienced in the Battle of Britain. They were also much disliked by their new pilots and rumour had it that there were deliberate attempts to damage them in training so that they might be replaced with Spitfires.
rafmuseum.org.uk
19th September 1940 New squadron formed
23rd October 1940 Retraining
23rd November 1940 Relocated
1st March 1941 Moved again
16th May 1942 On the Move
1st November 1942 New Squadron formed
7th November 1942 Temporary C.O. appointed
20th November 1942 C.O. and Adjutant arrive
24th November 1942 Ten pilots arrive at new squadron
30th November 1942 Squadron strength increased to 5 aircraft
8th December 1942 Force landing
12th December 1942 Very little flying
18th December 1942 New arrivals
21st December 1942 Typhoon pranged
25th December 1942 Christmas party
31st December 1942 Flying practice
January 1943 Refitting
2nd January 1943 Bomber affiliation exercises
4th January 1943 Low flying practice
12th January 1943 Snowed up
15th January 1943 Excellent Day
19th January 1943 Pilots drive tanks
22nd January 1943 No flying again
26th January 1943 Flying practice
29th January 1943 Postings and training
6th February 1943 Training programme nearing completion
12th February 1943 Dining with the WAAF
14th February 1943 Aircraft shortage
20th February 1943 Tank bombing exercise
23rd February 1943 Postings
25th February 1943 Exercise Spartan planned
1st March 1943 Squadron relocated for Exercise Spartan
12th March 1943 Operation Spartan ended
14th March 1943 Operational detachment
18th March 1943 Return to training
21st March 1943 Movement order
23rd March 1943 Farewell party
24th March 1943 Squadron relocated
26th March 1943 Pilots rejoin squadron
July 1943 Convoy escort In July 1943 No.26 Squadron moved from Detling to RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire, although one flight was detached and sent to RAF Ballyhalbert in Northern Ireland. Their principal duties at this time were convoy escort patrols.
www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/26_wwII.html
July 1943 Convoy escort
4th August 1943 Overseas posting cancelled
3rd September 1943 Defensive role
13th October 1943 Combat over the North Sea
19th Dec 1943 Fighters and bombers
28th Dec 1943 Another Move
18th March 1944 Bomber escorts
23rd April 1944 On the move
8th February 1945 Flooded
20th April 1945 Moved and disbanded
24th April 1945 Respite
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Those known to have served at RAF Church Fenton during the Second World War 1939-1945. This page is new, as yet no names have been submitted. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
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