MILAVIA Forum

Historic Aviation => Warbirds => Topic started by: tigershark on December 13, 2007, 12:54:14 AM

Title: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: tigershark on December 13, 2007, 12:54:14 AM
I saw this and thought I would post it I never knew Argentina had pilots in WW-II

Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:45am GMT
By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - In early October 1942, Flight Lieutenant Donald McLarty was shot down over Libya on his 199th mission of World War Two. Although he was flying for Britain's Royal Air Force, his uniform was emblazoned with an unexpected word: Argentina.
Many foreigners fought for the various Allied air forces, but until now historians have largely focused on pilots from Czechoslovakia, Poland, France and Norway -- all of which were occupied by German forces.   Few realize that more than 800 young men from neutral Argentina, some of them schoolboys, rushed to sign up as pilots and then made the long, dangerous trip to Europe by boat.
When McLarty climbed into his Hurricane fighter-bomber for a low-level attack on a German base in Libya, he needed to complete just two more missions to earn a long break from active duty. It was not to be.

Full story
http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKN0232993420071212?rpc=401&
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: WRCKid on December 14, 2007, 06:10:12 PM
That's really interesting, I've always assumed it was just the countries that were involved, just goes to show how ignorant we can be sometimes, great article.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Raptor on January 01, 2008, 11:45:56 AM
They actually flew during the falklands war? That's amazing. How old would they have been by then?
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 27, 2008, 06:19:18 AM
I'll get you a pic of a painting by an Argentine that depicts a pilot of our country frliying a brittish Spit ;)
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 27, 2008, 06:30:50 AM
This is the site:

http://www.aviationart.com.ar/

but I can't link to images, it won't give me a link let me see if i can upload the pics.

Anyway, you can find the pics in English > Galleries > Military (page 2, Typhoons; page 2, Spit with Me 262; page 2, Hurricane; page 3, Spitfire; page 3, B-24 Liberator; page 4, Spitfire in action; page 5, Spitfire; page 7, Lancaster.) All of this, said to be piloted by Argentines during WW2.

Hope to have summed up something :)
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Webmaster on January 27, 2008, 03:10:46 PM
Well it's recommended to browse through the whole gallery. Very nice artwork, I especially like the ones with the Phantoms and Hueys, it seems it's easier to do for the artist than the A-4s which look a bit crooked sometimes. The WWII ones are very nice as well.

They actually flew during the falklands war? That's amazing. How old would they have been by then?

Well, how's your math? 1940-1945 to 1982, 37-42 years later, so around 60. From what I've read the one(s) that still flew during the Falklands were flight commanders for transport flights, dropping supplies and troops on the islands. Of course dangerous, difficult, exciting, etc., but not as bad as being 60 and flying a Mirage III. I don't know if any of the WWII veterans did that.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 27, 2008, 05:53:26 PM
Quote
being 60 and flying a Mirage III. I don't know if any of the WWII veterans did that.

As far as I know, that definitely didn't happen.

I'll try to find out more ,but my comkmon sense says no...
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 27, 2008, 11:00:32 PM
Here is the page of the book Firmes volamos. Sorry, it's only in Spanish :-\. But there's a link (look for a blue, like this frase: click aqui) from which you can download a trailer.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 27, 2008, 11:01:52 PM
some pics: http://www.firmesvolamos.com.ar/galerias/fotos.php

the link doesn't function, sorry :(
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Gripen on January 28, 2008, 01:43:29 AM
Quote
being 60 and flying a Mirage III. I don't know if any of the WWII veterans did that.

As far as I know, that definitely didn't happen.

I'll try to find out more ,but my comkmon sense says no...

Raptor has a bit of trouble with Common Sense...

Wouldnt the only WWII fighters been like high end commanders by that time if they stayed in the military?

Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Webmaster on January 28, 2008, 02:23:01 AM
As far as I know, that definitely didn't happen.

I'll try to find out more ,but my comkmon sense says no...

No, probably not, but you never know. I don't know if any of those pilots actually flew combat aircraft, or only the transport missions. Any type, not just Mirage III. Let us know if you find out.

We've seen pretty old fighter pilots, mostly instructors and test pilots that get to an exceptional high age and still fly. I can imagine such a person getting into the actual fight in a war, regardless of whether he's still in active service, reserve, being called upon, or just volunteering.

But I suppose most if not all were just a bit too old, and the FAA had enough younger but still experienced pilots.

Wouldnt the only WWII fighters been like high end commanders by that time if they stayed in the military?

Surely, most remaining with the air force at that time, would probably be at senior non-flying positions. But that's doesn't mean they don't keep up their flying skills and won't fly in case of war. At least one did fly combat missions dropping troops/supplies, it's in the Reuters article linked above.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on January 29, 2008, 02:10:36 AM
Well, I have already asked on an Argentine forum, but the replies are not much. One of them sent the link which I posted, so I guess I'll have to buy the book and see ::)
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on February 01, 2008, 04:12:26 AM
Look, I found this article in an Argentine site (http://www.angardigital.com.ar) about the Argentine Squadron in the RAF.

http://www.hangardigital.com.ar/164.html

Sorry not to translate it, but I failed to do so the last time I tried to, so I leave that to you. :-\

I hope it's useful for your info, it sumed a lot for me :D
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on February 01, 2008, 04:49:58 AM
BTW, just to clarify, it wasn't secret, so I don't know why the title is "break silence".... I already knew it ::)
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: WRCKid on February 01, 2008, 08:55:55 PM
Look, I found this article in an Argentine site (http://www.angardigital.com.ar) about the Argentine Squadron in the RAF.

http://www.hangardigital.com.ar/164.html

Sorry not to translate it, but I failed to do so the last time I tried to, so I leave that to you. :-\

I hope it's useful for your info, it sumed a lot for me :D
Interesting article, I had no idea... Siempre supe que habia paises en Latino America que se habian devotado a la segunda guerra mundial (Perdona mi Español, es dificil para mi escribirlo) No sabia que habian paises como argentina, que habia prestado tantos voluntarios.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Webmaster on February 01, 2008, 09:57:08 PM
BTW, just to clarify, it wasn't secret, so I don't know why the title is "break silence".... I already knew it ::)

Right, that's what I thought. I suppose, it's just that the men themselves never spoke publicly about it before.
Title: Re: Argentine pilots break silence over World War Two
Post by: Globetrotter on February 01, 2008, 10:43:25 PM
Look, I found this article in an Argentine site (http://www.angardigital.com.ar) about the Argentine Squadron in the RAF.

http://www.hangardigital.com.ar/164.html

Sorry not to translate it, but I failed to do so the last time I tried to, so I leave that to you. :-\

I hope it's useful for your info, it sumed a lot for me :D
Interesting article, I had no idea... Siempre supe que habia paises en Latino America que se habian devotado a la segunda guerra mundial (Perdona mi Español, es dificil para mi escribirlo) No sabia que habian paises como argentina, que habia prestado tantos voluntarios.

Tu español esta muy bien ;)

Glad it was useful  :)