Mexicans at War

Mexican Military Aviation in the Second World War, 1941–1945

Santiago A. Flores

• Publisher: Helion & Company
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781913118396
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Mexican History
• Index: History

The untold story of Mexican aviators in WWII, including their role in the Battle of the Philippines, is revealed in this illustrated military history. When Mexico's neighbor to the north entered World War II, German U-Boats began haunting the North American coastline. And when the Kriegsmarine torpedoed Mexican tankers, the young republic was drawn into the global conflict.At first, Mexico was forced to defend its coastline and shipping with general purpose biplanes. But it quickly organized a modern aviation force equal to the task. The newly formed Mexican Naval Aviation established its first squadron to patrol the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the Mexican Air Force experienced its most rapid growth since it was established in 1915. In 1944, it sent combat pilots to fight alongside the U.S. in the liberation of the Philippines. Even before Mexico's official involvement, Mexican nationals were volunteering for the Allied air forces of the British Commonwealth and the Free French naval and air forces. Using photos and archival testimony, Mexicans at War sheds much-needed light on Mexican involvement in the Second World War. The introduction also provides a detailed overview of Mexican military aviation from the Mexican Revolution to WWII.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1 Mexican Military Aviation before 1941
• 2 U-Boat attacks and the defence of the coast
• 3 The volunteers, observers and Spitfires
• 4 Evolution of the organisation of the Air Force, 1941-46
• 5 The creation of Mexican Naval Aviation
• 6 Lend-Lease to Mexico
• 7 The evolution of the Mexican Military Aviation School
• 8 Training in the USA: learning new skills
• 9 Going to war I: training in the USA
• 10 Going to war II: the MEAF and the liberation of the Philippines
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Acknowledgments
• About The Author
• Title
• Plate section