Quote:
Originally Posted by silvermain
Oh god please not another yank over here.
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Here is one who wasn't too bad:
Squadron Leader John Joseph Lynch jr.
RAF 249th Fighter Squadron (Malta)
John Joseph Lynch jr., an American from Alhambra, California, joined the RAF in July 1941 as a Pilot Officer.
In 1943 while CO of the RAF 249th Fighter Squadron (Spitfires) stationed on Malta, now Squadron Leader Lynch won an RAF sweepstake prize of 129 pounds sterling by shooting down the 100th enemy airplane (a German Ju-52 transport off the coast of Sicily) by a Malta based RAF Pilot. The sweepstake prize was put up by contributions from RAF personnel stationed on Malta.
Newspaper clipping, Crusader, 8th Army Newspaper
10 May 1943
The 249th was originally formed as a Spitfire squadron in May 1940, then participated in the Battle of Britain as a Hurricane squadron, subsequently switching back to Spitfires in 1942 when it was assigned to Malta -- thereafter participating in the Italian and Yugoslavian campaigns. Squadron Leader Lynch was originally assigned to the 71st RAF Eagle Squadron which had been constituted as part of the RAF's Fighter Command on 19 September 1940 at Church Fenton, southern England with all it's pilots being American volunteers. The squadron flew Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft during the Battle of Britain, switching to Spitfires in September 1941. On 29 September 1942 the 71st Squadron was disbanded and most of its members joined the USAAF.
British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Squadron Leader Lynch is listed as both a British and American WW2 Ace with 13 recorded kills -- 1 with the 71st RAF Eagle Squadron and 12 with the RAF 249th Fighter Squadron. He was subsequently awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
History of the 71st RAF Eagle Squadron
Eagle Squadrons List of WW2 Aces