At that stage of the war, (1940) the U.S. was supposedly neutral and Congress had passed a series of Neutrality Acts prohibiting sending war materials . The U.S. was not officially at war until Germany declared war on America until Dec 1941. Moreover, starting in 1939, German U-boats were sinking supply ships at a rate that was slowly starving the U.K.
Yes, the neutrality acts were in effect, but the powers that be knew full well that this ultimately will be everybody's war. While many Liberty Ships were indeed sunk, the Merchant Marines continued running them across the Atlantic and were often accompanied by destroyers. Hitler hoped to starve the UK, since he had his hands full with the Blitz. He did not reckon on many US aviators ignoring the laws who joined up with the RAF along with the Canadians. In addition, the Polish pilots who were fearless since they'd been fighting the Germans for many years were also helping the RAF and showing them how it was done. Read about the Koschiusko Squadron and learn a thing or two about these guys. Also talk to a merchant seaman who was there. My neighbor was a member of those fearless sailors who dared to serve on several Liberty Ships.
Yes indeed. Official records indicate that many Americans did ultimately join the RAF, in violation of American laws, but only 6 actually flew during the "blitz'. Later in the war, there was the American manned "Eagle Squadron" who flew with the RAF. I don't know why more American pilots were not used earlier during the "blitz". Side note: When American pilots swore allegiance to the king and joined the RAF, they immediately lost their American citizenship. Fortunately, 2 years later, their citizenship was restored by an act of congress.
Why do you say that ? We only lose our American citizenship IF we pledge allegiance to a foreign power.
While I certainly agree that the Merchant Marines who sailed those Liberty ships through U-boat infested waters were incredibly brave souls, I doubt that they were fearless. Seriously, there was a lot to be afraid of. If they were torpedoed , and if they were not killed outright , they often froze to death in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.
Doubt if these seven Americans gave a hoot about losing their citizen ship at the time. A Few Americans in the Battle of Britain (historynet.com)
Thank you for the fantastic video. I especially enjoyed the part about the American Billy Fiske, a so-called "natural" pilot who flew a Hurricane , and died in the Battle of Britain in Aug 1940, after shooting down 3 German dive bombers. He has a memorial in ST. Paul's Cathedral.
Tom, I believe the name of the book was War and Evacuation. It may be out of print now. I am waiting for a response from Maisie.
Sorry, Wrong thread for this. But they took prayer out of schools and when I was young we made the pledge to our flag every morning. No more. trying to erase our allegiance to our own?
The Battle of Bamber bridge. The beginning of the end of Jim Crow. Black troops were welcome in Britain, but Jim Crow wasn't: the race riot of one night in June 1943 (theconversation.com)