In the control tower at RAF Base Church-Fenton, John is watching a low-altitude assault combat drill, accompanied by Woodhouse, commander of the 71st Fighter Squadron. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 Info beside him, along with Major General Donovan and Spatz.

"What a shame! Where did Charles (retired colonel Charles Sweeney, the recruiter of this group of American volunteer pilots) find this rabble? Major General Spatz put down the telescope in his hand and muttered quietly.

Although most of the American lads from Squadron 71 had never been in the Army Air Corps, Spatz felt humiliated. Even such a simple formation formation as a single-plane follow-up column could not be done, and it dared to run to Britain to participate in the war. In his eyes, these self-aware "daredevils" are only worthy of driving pesticide sprayers.

Donovan, who knew nothing about air warfare, watched with relish, "How long do they have to finish their training and go into battle?" Donovan asked Woodhouse with interest as he watched.

"The valuation will take at least three months." Woodhouse was a little embarrassed. As an elite pilot in the Royal Air Force, a combat hero who fought in the Norwegian and French campaigns, he certainly knew what his squadron was like now, and at best he could fly the planes smoothly. Participating in the battle now is purely to give the Germans a record.

"Next, they'll learn how to follow up in a diamond formation, melee grappling, short shots, use height, turn sharply, cover high, dive and exit." The more Woodhouse spoke, the more helpless he became. When his comrades-in-arms are fighting for the defense of the motherland, he wants to nest here as a nanny for a group of "American mascots", is there anything worse in this world?

John knew in his heart that both Spatz and Woodhouse were underestimating the abilities of these American lads. Although the 71st Squadron will not be assigned to the North Sea escort mission for the first time until January next year. In April, it was officially incorporated into the 11th Fighter Group, the main force of the Royal Air Force, before gradually joining the air offensive in northern France, and only achieved its first shot down in July.

But after that, the 71st Squadron began to get out of control, surprising all those who saw them as "Churchill's PR show to win over the American people" with their outstanding performance. By the time the squadron was disbanded and incorporated into the U.S. Army's 8th Air Force in 1942, the 71st Squadron had shot down a total of 41 German fighters, becoming the prestigious "Eagle Squadron".

By that time, Major General Spatz, who had just become the commander of the 8th Air Force, in order to make up for the lack of combat experience of his pilots, had to beg the British to "return" the American volunteer pilots. To this end, he not only promised to allow these pilots who did not have American military status to join the Army Air Corps according to the existing ranks of the Royal Air Force, but also handed over three squadrons of fighters to the British Air Force as compensation.

By the end of World War II, the 8th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force of the US Army, which evolved from the "Eagle Squadron", shot down a total of 1,046 enemy planes and produced 37 ace pilots, ranking first among all air forces in the European theater. Until later generations, this air force with the code name "Eagle" was the ace of the US Air Force, and they were the first to be equipped with F-15E Eagle fighters in 1988.

But for now, these Yankee Hawks, who have no adventurous spirit and enthusiasm for fighting, should learn their skills in the rear first. After all, not only do these people have no experience in air combat, but many of them only get in by falsely reporting the type of aircraft and the number of flight hours.

"When does the training end? I'd like to talk to the pilots individually. John's trip was not for flight training, his purpose was to find out how these American volunteer pilots viewed the war.

More than an hour later, in the base's cafeteria, John and the others enjoyed a delicious dinner with the American boys. The ingredients for the main dish came from an old cow near the base that had broken his leg after being hit by a military vehicle. Although the meat was hard and mixed with a lot of broken bones and offal, John brought a few bottles of wine to make the dinner very lively from the beginning.

By the way, the wine was also extorted by John from Thomas. Although Thomas protested, John was rightly strong. Thomas had done no less to harm John's family at Long Island Winery. John's dad left behind the wine, I don't know how much Thomas has wasted.

Perhaps because Donovan was too old and Spatz was too ranked, these American lads were obviously more willing to mingle with John, the young lieutenant colonel. Soon, stimulated by alcohol, they began to hook up with John and talk about everything.

"I told them I was a pilot on a Douglas transport plane and had flown 500 hours, while I had only flown 70 hours on other trainers. The instructor told me to try solo. To be honest, I've never even been on such a big plane. Thankfully, I was able to fly it in the end. A young Ohio boy named Barrow began to brag to John about his "military experience."

"Do any of you have combat experience?" John asked curiously.

"Duna has, but in the Army." Someone pushed a shy little man out of the crowd.

"Hello, sir. I'm Duna, I'm from Montana, and I used to be a private in the Army. Before the war, he joined the Seaforth Highlands Regiment of the Canadian 1st Infantry Division in Vancouver. In June of this year, he fought the Germans in northern France. ”

"So you're coming back from Dunkirk? How did you join the Royal Air Force? John was curious about Duna's experience.

"After the withdrawal to the UK, I heard that the Ministry of Aviation was recruiting Army personnel with 500 flight hours. I used to be a ranger and had a private small jet license, so I signed up. Duna smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "Actually, I've only flown for 150 hours, but I took the pencil and slid it lightly, and 150 looked like 550." ”

Duna's words caused laughter at the scene, and it was obvious that there were not a few people who "faked" like him.

John had already remembered by this time that this Duna seemed to be the first American ace pilot in World War II. Before, he was still regretting that the famous aces such as Diamond, Peterson, and Donald had not joined the 71 Squadron now, and he had no chance to see him.

I didn't expect this to hide a historical celebrity. It's a pity that this young man was injured in a battle in August next year and lost his right leg, and no one even knows his record. It wasn't until more than 30 years later that the RAF History Department investigated and confirmed that he got the honor he deserved.

John patted Duna on the shoulder sympathetically: "How does it feel to be in 71 Squadron?" If there is any request, I can help you to mention it to the British. ”

"When will we be able to carry out combat missions? The Czech squadron next door had already shot down 7 German planes. ”

"yes, we don't have the face to go to the little bar on the edge of the base if we drag it out any longer."

"Can you help us replace the old Buffalo (F2A Buffalo fighter)? We also want to breathe fire, and hurricanes do. ”

John was very satisfied with their strong desire to fight: "When you can participate in the battle, it depends on your squadron leader." He said you have to do it if you are qualified. But I promise you'll be able to get a better plane by the end of the year. His words won a round of applause from the young pilots.

Unbeknownst to them, John wasn't talking about the Spitfire, but about Hughes Aircraft's Mustang fighter jets. By the end of this year, the first batch of Mustang fighters will be ready for delivery to the Royal Air Force. He is very sure that he will help the 71st Squadron win a priority place in the redress. Didn't Churchill just want to use them for propaganda? What better gimmick could there be than an American volunteer pilot in the RAF, flying American fighter jets with the "heart" of Britain to fight the Germans?

When John and his party left the base, it was already late at night. In the car, Donovan asked him curiously, "I see you have a good conversation with them, you are very optimistic about these young men." ”

"Of course, I have a feeling that they will become a legend in this war." John made no secret of his confidence in the Eagles squadron.

"You're exaggerating. Just those rookies? Major General Spatz scoffed at John's views.

"Don't you think this routine is familiar to a rabble that was improvised for various reasons, but in the end they overcame many difficulties and won in the face of adversity?" John said with a smile.

"You've watched too many Hollywood movies, right?" Major General Spatz was also amused.

"Just wait and see." In John's view, the Eagles Squadron was celebrated in large part because the experiences of these lads were too dramatic, too much like a Hollywood blockbuster.