"As significant as its military accomplishments were, perhaps the most important and lasting legacy of Squadron 201 is the improved understanding and cooperation that it fostered between the American and Mexican peoples and governments and the national and cultural pride that it brought to the Mexican people."

from "Strike of the Aztec Eagles"

http://www.squadron201.com/history.htm

 

Mexican Airmen
Join the War Effort

By Lucy Guevara

World War II was a turning point for America and the world.  America realized its potential as an industrialized nation and the world recognized that international alliances were essential for the progress of humanity.  Two nations that experienced this at a closer level were the United States and Mexico.

Under the leadership of President Manuel Avila Camacho, Mexico defined its position in the war and broadened its relationship with the United States.  Ill sentiments left by President Cardenas’ nationalization of U.S. owned companies in 1938 were set aside, the U.S. now saw Mexico as an essential trading partner and ally.

This relationship culminated in the formation of the Mexican Fighter Squadron 201 or as it is recognized by many,  "El Escuadron 201."  The service of these 300 Mexican soldiers forever changed how Mexico was perceived by the world. 

Mexico’s participation in World War II grew to much more than just that of a trading partner to the United States during the latter half of the war.  With the sinking of two oil tankers, Portero de Llano and Faja de Oro,by German forces in May of 1942.  Mexico entered the war on May 30, 1942 and more actively joined the Allied effort.  Relations between the United States and Mexico strengthened with the formation of agreements such as the U.S. & Mexico Defense Commission and the Bracero Program.  From 1943 to 1945 the Bracero Program brought over 100,000 Mexican laborers to work the fields and railways in order to alleviate Americaâs manual labor shortage.Agreements that would allow these countries to use each other's resources as efficiently as possible during this time of need.  Another 1942 agreement allowed the conscription of Mexican citizens living in the United States.  World War II marked the first time that these countries had combined both their industrial and armed forces to conquer a common threat.

With great encouragement from President Camacho, the Mexican government evaluated a plan to provide troops for the war.  After realizing that Mexico lacked the resources to do this, President Camacho turned to the United States for help to prepare soldiers for combat.  With an effort to have these men ready by 1943, President Camacho presented his proposal to President Roosevelt in a meeting held in Monterrey, Nuevo Leo, Mexico in April 1943. 

Although both nations evaluated the idea extensively and held numerous negotiations, Mexico accepted Roosevelt’s proposal on March 14, 1944. President Roosevelt agreed to accept the participation of one or two Mexican air squadrons.  Chosen by Mexican officials from numerous volunteers, this event marked the first time that Mexican troops were trained for overseas combat.  

Among the 300 men were 38 experienced pilots and 250 ground crewmen.  Measures for the development of the Mexican Fighter Squadron 201 were soon taken by both nations.  After meetings between President Camacho, General William E. Hall, U.S. Deputy Chief of Air Staff, and Mexican Air Force chief, General Salinas, specifications were the participation of the squadron were established.  The Mexican Fighter Squadron 201 would receive training in an American air base for a minimum of five months.  After completing training on the P-47, they would be assigned to the Pacific Theater. 

 

 

 

 

You may click on this and all photos below
to view a larger image with full captions.

Members of Squadron 201 flew
the P-47 Thunderbolt,
as illustrated above.

Members of Squadron 201
pose for this photo in their
flight suits.

Squadron 201 P-47s on the
flight line in the Philippines.

This Squadron 201 Thunderbolt flies
over Mexico after the war.

In Pocatello, the men were given extensive training in their area of specialty such as armament, communication, or engineering.  They arrived at Majors Field in Greenville, Texas on November 30, 1944.  Here, the pilots received further aviation instructions and training.  Training included combat air tactics, formation flying and gunnery.  The men were honored with grduation ceremonies on February 20, 1945 where they were presented with their battle flag.

The commanding officer of Squadron 201,
Colonel Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez
taken several years after the war.

Click on the above photo for a larger image of General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur welcoming the commander of Squadron 201,
Colonel Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez, Commander of the
Mexican Expeditionary Air Force, upon their arrival in the Pacific
(1945), Luzon, Philippines.

Although only in the Philippines for six months, the squadron actively participated in 59 combat missions, totaling over 1,290 hours of flight. They successfully participated in the Allied effort to bomb Luzon and Formosa in an attempt to push the Japanese out of the islands. Assigned to the 58th Fighter group pf the U.S. 5th Air Force, the "Aztec Eagles" were also used as ground support after the aerial threat from Japan weakened.  During these ground assignments, the men of the squadron saw first hand the fearlessness and war mentality of the Japanese soldiers.  Japanese soldiers were often captured after trying to come into U.S. military campsites for food. 

The war came to an end with the surrender of Japan on Aug. 10, 1945.  After a year of training and six months of active duty, the "Aztec Eagles" were able to return home.  Mexico greeted them with a hero’s welcome on November 18, 1945.

The surrender of the Japanese came earlier than expected and this left a great impression on the Mexican squadron.  Although advised that news of the Atomic bomb attack by the United States may be Japanese ploy, the men saw the destruction of these bombs first hand.  Many were overwhelmed by the severity of the damage and were left with a lifelong impression.  They returned home with a true sense of achievement and with the constant remembrance of the seven men that lost their lives. 

Twenty men of the Mexican Fighter Squadron 201 received U.S. Air Medals as well as the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation from the president of the Philippines in 1952.  Other medals awarded were the Mexican Medal of Valor, World War II Victory Medals, and the Mexican Medal of Valor.  Veterans have recently been honored by the American GI Forum and have participated in several oral history projects.  Monuments honoring "El Escuadron 201" can be found throughout Mexico and its members are still honored and respected today.

 

Squadron 201 flew with the
United States' 5th Air Force.

These Thunderbolts display the Mexican
tricolor insignia, instead of
the USAAF "Star and Bar."

A rare color photograph of a
Squadron 201 Thunderbolt in flight
over the Philippines.