Intro:
We started this project by reading the first few chapters of the novel "All Quiet On The Western Front". We then jumped into choosing a topic to write about and study. I chose to write about the Aztec Eagles an all Mexican air force squadron during World War II. my creative piece was the drawing of an Ocotillo plant and prickly pear cactus with a mountain background.
Mexico in WWII(excerpt):
Mexico in WWII Lyric Kent When you think of World War 2 the main countries that come to mind are probably Germany, England, America, and Russia maybe France but one of the lesser known countries that participated in the war was Mexico. In January of 1942, a conference was held in Rio De Janeiro for Latin American foreign ministers. Later in 1942 Mexico declared war on the Axis powers after Germany shot at and destroyed two of Mexico’s oil ships and refused to compensate Mexico for the loss. When they declared war America sent them several different types of fighter planes. Mexico created a competitive training program that attracted members from across the country, it’s goal was to select the best pilots and send them to America for more intensive training and finally to go overseas to attack Japan since it occupied the Philippines. The squadron had all Mexican pilots and went down in history as the “Aztec Eagles”. The Aztec Eagles had 300 volunteer pilots and their goal was to help America get the Japanese out of the Pacific isles. Of those 300 5 pilots died in service a monument was made for them in Mexico City, Mexico but very few people at that monument even recognize the squadrons name because most people are there for a castle where six “Boy Heroes” died while defending the hill against American troops during the Mexican-American War. A woman went around the park and asked people about the Aztec Eagles and only met a few people that recognized the name but couldn’t offer any information on them. After the war, the Squadron was welcomed back with a huge parade but after the parade, they were pushed aside and into the background of Mexican history. There are a few historians that are fighting to spread awareness and appreciation of the squadron but most have been unsuccessful. The Mexican government sent out word that they were going to start a squadron to fight in WWII. Eager men from across all of the Mexican states came to the call and began a highly competitive training course where the best pilots were to be sent to Texas to a 6 month training with American pilots and then sent out to war. The American pilots always looked down on the Mexicans and often harassed them. One pilot was doing a test run and decided to do a barrel roll the man in the radio towers yelled at him and told him never to do that again. When he landed the other trainees called him a crazy Mexican and before he could see who he was talking to he challenged them to fight. The person he challenged was twice his size but he still went on with the fight and lost but did gain the respect of the Americans because of his bravery and spunk. |