Yanks in the RAF: The Story of Maverick Pilots and American Volunteers Who Joined Britain's Fight in WWII

This is the story of American volunteer pilots who risked their lives in defense of Britain during the earliest days of World War II-more than a year before Pearl Harbor, whenathe United States first became embroiled in the global conflict. Based on interviews, diaries, personal documents, and research in British, American, and German archives, the author has created a colorful portrait of this small group who were our nation's first combatants in World War II. As the author's research shows, their motives were various- some were idealistic; others were simply restless and looking for adventure. And though the British air force needed pilots, cultural conflicts between the raw American recruits and their reserved British commanders soon became evident. Prejudices on both sides and lack of communication had to be overcome.aa Eventually, the American pilots were assembled into three squadrons known as the Eagle squadrons. They saw action and suffered casualties in both England and France, notably in the attack on Dieppe.a By September 1942, after America had entered the war, these now experienced pilots were transferred to the US air force, bringing their expertise and their British Spitfires with them. As much social as military history, Yanks in the RAF sheds new light on a little-known chapter of World War II and the earliest days of the sometimes fractious British-American alliance.

About the Author :
David Alan Johnson is the author of nine previous books, including The Battle of Britain- The American Factor and, most recently, Decided on the Battlefield- Grant, Sherman, Lincoln, and the Election of 1864.

Review :
""An accomplished storyteller has done it again! In clear, crisp prose, David Alan Johnson recounts the epic story of the RAF Eagle Squadrons in World War II. Well researched and illustrated, this is an exciting exploration of American heroes who braved the skies of war-torn Europe during the darkest days of the conflict with Nazi Germany--a tremendous read." --Michael E. Haskew, author of West Point 1915 and Appomattox, and editor of WWII History Magazine "Yanks in the RAF tells the fascinating story of the war in the air, and it gains in immediacy and interest with the action often being retold in the words of the participants. Johnson aptly describes how unfamiliar each side was with the other when the first American pilots joined the RAF, and he details the problems the British officers had in dealing with their unruly new recruits. . . . A fascinating account . . . ." --Peter Hammond, English historian "This is a book about bucking the system, merging cultures, and fighting the good fight. With Britain facing down the Germans at the dawn of WWII in Europe, Americans who wanted to help as volunteer pilots in the RAF faced numerous obstacles. . . But in the end, some hundreds of young Americans fought beside their British counterparts as they waited for the US to enter the war. Not all of them made it home, as indicated by a plaque in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, which says of one: 'An American citizen who died that England might live.' An important and little-told story, David Alan Johnson's Yanks in the RAF finally sheds some light on this European counterpart to Chennault's Flying Tigers." --Rod L. Pyle, author of Curiosity, writer/director of Tarawa: War without Mercy, and NASA historian Praise for David Alan Johnson's Decided on the Battlefield: "An engaging narrative, solid research, and command of detail all do great credit to the significance of this topic in Civil War historiography. Highly recommended to all devotees of Civil War history." --Library Journal"Historians will appreciate this excellently researched book for its level of insight, while casual readers will enjoy Johnson's deft narrative management of battles and strategy." --Publishers Weekly"[A] fast-paced, entertaining, narrative recounting of Grant's and Sherman's whereabouts in the months leading up to the election, and an easy read for those interested in learning more about the critical battles that aided Lincoln's re-election." --New Jersey Star-Ledger