[planespotter]

Originally Posted by 41Sqn_Banks

I really doubt that. According to Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Bri...s_contribution ) only 7 US pilots servered in the RAF during the BoB, and they were "incognito" because US citizens were prohibited due to US Neutrality Acts.

Exactly my point, sorry if it was badly made. During the actual Battle, there were very few US pilots involved, but because of the success of the Battle from a US PR point of view, you will find that before Pearl Harbour more than 6,000 US pilots had applied to join the RAF/RCAF to fight in Europe, indicating the the US citizen did indeed see it as 'their problem' long before the US was attacked by Japan.

The first 'Eagle Squadron' was formed in Sept 1940. US neutrality did not pertain, because they joined as private citizens.

Three 'Eagle Squadrons' were formed and became the famed 4th Fighter Group of the USAF 8th airforce. Without the perception of victory in the Battle of Britain, there might still only have been seven US pilots in Britain at that point!