Andrew Mamedoff
Encyclopedia
Andrew B "Andy" Mamedoff (1912–1941) was an American pilot who flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.
, where his White Russian
family had settled in the early 1910s. He graduated from Worcester Academy
in 1931. Mamedoff was married to Alys Laird "Penny" Mamedoff (née Craven); interestingly it is believed that he was Jewish of Russian heritage. He had learned to fly in the USA and even had his own plane with which he performed at airshows. He and Eugene Tobin
had been flying friends at Mines Field in California before the war. He was attempting to set up charter services in Miami immediately prior to the war. Mamedoff initially came to Europe to fight Finland against Russia, but too late for that war.
towards the end of the Battle of France
, but as France fell he came to England with his friends and fellow Americans Eugene Tobin
and Vernon Keough and joined the Royal Air Force
in 1940.
After converting to the Spitfire
, Mamedoff was posted to RAF Middle Wallop
and joined No. 609 Squadron RAF
on the 8 August 1940.
He was posted to RAF Kirton in Lindsey
in Lincolnshire
on the 18 September 1940 and was a founded member of the No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron
along with Art Donahue
, Eugene Tobin and Vernon Keough. He was posted to RAF Duxford in August 1941 to another "Eagle Squadron", No. 133 Squadron RAF
as a Flight Commander.
On 8 October 1941 Mamedoff was flying with 133 Sqn on a standard transit flight from Fowlmere Airfield
to RAF Eglinton
in Northern Ireland
in his Hurricane Z3781. He didn't arrive at his destination and it is understood that he crashed due to poor weather. The wreckage of his plane was found near Maughold
on the Isle of Man
and his body was later recovered for burial at Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Biography
Born in Thompson, ConnecticutThompson, Connecticut
Thompson is a rural town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named after Sir Robert Thompson, an English landholder. The population was 9,458 at the 2010 census...
, where his White Russian
White Russian
White Russian may refer to:* White Russian , an alcoholic beverage* White movement members during the Russian Civil War from 1918 to 1923* A White émigré from the Russian Civil War...
family had settled in the early 1910s. He graduated from Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is an independent coeducational preparatory school spread over in Worcester, Massachusetts in the United States. The school is divided into a middle school, serving approximately 150 students in grades six to eight, and an upper school, serving approximately 500 students in...
in 1931. Mamedoff was married to Alys Laird "Penny" Mamedoff (née Craven); interestingly it is believed that he was Jewish of Russian heritage. He had learned to fly in the USA and even had his own plane with which he performed at airshows. He and Eugene Tobin
Eugene Tobin
Eugene Quimby "Red" Tobin was an American pilot who flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.-Early life:Born in Los Angeles, California, the son of I. Quimby Tobin and Mary Alicia Tobin. Tobin initially came to Europe to fight Finland against Russia, but too late for that war...
had been flying friends at Mines Field in California before the war. He was attempting to set up charter services in Miami immediately prior to the war. Mamedoff initially came to Europe to fight Finland against Russia, but too late for that war.
Second World War
He joined the French Air ForceFrench Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
towards the end of the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, but as France fell he came to England with his friends and fellow Americans Eugene Tobin
Eugene Tobin
Eugene Quimby "Red" Tobin was an American pilot who flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.-Early life:Born in Los Angeles, California, the son of I. Quimby Tobin and Mary Alicia Tobin. Tobin initially came to Europe to fight Finland against Russia, but too late for that war...
and Vernon Keough and joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1940.
After converting to the Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
, Mamedoff was posted to RAF Middle Wallop
Army Air Corps Middle Wallop
Army Air Corps Middle Wallop is a British Army base near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop. The base hosts 2 Regiment Army Air Corps and the School of Army Aviation. The role of 2 Regiment is training and so AAC Middle Wallop is the base where most Army Air Corps pilots begin their careers...
and joined No. 609 Squadron RAF
No. 609 Squadron RAF
No. 609 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in World War II active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role...
on the 8 August 1940.
He was posted to RAF Kirton in Lindsey
RAF Kirton in Lindsey
RAF Kirton in Lindsey is a Royal Air Force airfield in Lincolnshire. The field is located 15 miles north of Lincoln.It hosts No.1 Air Control Centre , the RAF’s only deployable ground-based early warning and air control radar unit, parented by RAF Scampton.-First World War:The Royal Flying Corps...
in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
on the 18 September 1940 and was a founded member of the No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron
No. 71 Squadron RAF
No. 71 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, the number has been used three times, once by the Royal Flying Corps for an Australian Flying Corps squadron, in the second world war as an Eagle Squadron and post-war as a fighter-bomber unit based in Royal Air Force Germany.-First World...
along with Art Donahue
Art Donahue
Arthur Gerald "Art" Donahue was a United States fighter pilot and ace who volunteered to fly for the British Royal Air Force in World War II. He was killed in action.-Early life:...
, Eugene Tobin and Vernon Keough. He was posted to RAF Duxford in August 1941 to another "Eagle Squadron", No. 133 Squadron RAF
No. 133 Squadron RAF
133 Squadron RAF was one of the famous Eagle squadrons formed from American volunteers serving with the RAF during World War II.-History:133 Squadron was first formed in 1918 at RAF Ternhill. It was a training unit for the Handley Page O/400, flying the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2, that was...
as a Flight Commander.
On 8 October 1941 Mamedoff was flying with 133 Sqn on a standard transit flight from Fowlmere Airfield
Fowlmere
Fowlmere is one of the southernmost villages in Cambridgeshire, England. It is very close to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, and 9 miles southwest of the city of Cambridge.- History :...
to RAF Eglinton
City of Derry Airport
City of Derry Airport is an airport located northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is located on the south bank of Lough Foyle, a short distance from the village of Eglinton and from the city centre...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in his Hurricane Z3781. He didn't arrive at his destination and it is understood that he crashed due to poor weather. The wreckage of his plane was found near Maughold
Maughold (parish)
Maughold is a village and parish in the Isle of Man. It is named for Maughold, the island's patron saint.The village of Maughold lies on the coast some three miles from Ramsey, with mountainous terrain on its landward side. The parish includes most of the North Barrule, the second highest hill on...
on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
and his body was later recovered for burial at Brookwood Military Cemetery.
See also
- List of Battle of Britain pilots
- Non-British personnel in the RAF during the Battle of Britain