“The Forgotten Eagles”
I found out just today about “The Forgotten Eagles“, a documentary by 201 Productions, released in 2008, produced and directed by Victor H. Mancilla. The film which premiered at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC documents the history of the “Aztec Eagles“, an elite unit of Mexican volunteers, who flew combat missions to free Luzon from the Japanese with the American 58th Fighter Group on Luzon in 1945.
Mexican Fighter Squadron 201, “Escuadron Aereo de Pelea 201” was composed of more than 300 volunteers – 36 experienced pilots and the rest ground crewmen. As of November 2003, only 10 of these 300 warriors remained. I am unclear on how many survive today. The passing of such people make the telling of their stories that much more pressing and valuable.
Equipped with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter/bomber, the Aztec Eagles flew 96 combat missions for 785 offensive sorties and 6 defensive sorties mainly in ground support/close air support roles.
I’m still trying to find a screening of this film. If you have any information about where this is playing in either the Portland, Oregon or Washington, DC areas please add your comment here.
Do you or someone you know have first hand memories of this or any other historic event, whether you served in the military or as a civilian, Flightline Fabrications Living History Project want to hear from you. Please contact our Living History Project with your rememberances. History should NEVER be forgotten. Your memories are important and should be retained and shared.
