World War II is often thought of as the US, UK, and Soviet Union fighting Germany, Japan, and Italy. But both the Allies and Axis had additional countries among their ranks, such as Canada, Australia, and China for the Allies and many of the Baltic States for the Axis.
One country you don’t often hear named in WWII history is Mexico — but in 1942, in response to a German naval attack that sunk five of its oil tankers, Mexico entered the conflict on the side of the Allies.[1] The Mexican government had severed diplomatic ties with Japan, Germany, and Italy in response to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor — but they were hesitant to get involved militarily. That changed when German U-boats torpedoed those oil tankers.
Despite its relationship with the United States being troubled at the time, Mexico put aside tensions in the face of the Axis threat. Hundreds of thousands of Mexican workers helped fill the labor shortages in America, and thousands of Mexican nationals living in the U.S. enlisted in the U.S. Army once the war broke out. The Mexican government also gave the American government permission to conscript said nationals.[2]
Aid granted to the U.S. by Mexico was reciprocated, which helped boost the Mexican economy in what’s been called the “Mexican Miracle.” The Mexican Miracle was characterized by industrial growth, increased political stability, and modernization of agriculture.[3] From 1954-1970, the country’s economy enjoyed a steady yearly growth rate of 4% while inflation stayed at 2.5%.[4]
Below is a painting of Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río, who’s credited with overseeing the Mexican Miracle.
Mexico’s 201st Fighter Squadron
Although Mexico’s contributions to the Allied war effort were primarily economic, their military played a small yet significant role.
In 1945, fighting in the Pacific theater between the Americans and the Japanese was reaching its peak, particularly in The Philippines. The U.S. had heavily reinforced The Philippines at the start of the war, recognizing its strategic importance. However, in 1942, Imperial Japanese forces drove the Americans out of the country. The strong-willed Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army and Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific, had to wait over two years before his proposal to retake The Philippines was approved.
Some of the most intense fighting took place on Luzon, The Philippines’ largest island. On January 9, the Allies launched an amphibious invasion with a force of over 800 warships (not all at once, but gradually over the month of January), codenamed S-day.[5]
In the battle, the U.S. Air Force’s 58th Operations Group was assisted by the Mexican Air Force’s 201st Fighter Squadron (Escuadrón Aéreo de Pelea 201), a squad of 25 P-47D aircraft nicknamed the “Aztec Eagles” (easily one of the coolest military nicknames I’ve ever heard).[6]
The Aztec Eagles had begun training with American pilots in Texas and Idaho in 1944. Pictured below is the P-47D (or, as American pilots endearingly called it, “The Jug.”)[7]
The 201st served with distinction in one of the ugliest and most dangerous theatres of the entire war. In addition to the crucial air support provided over The Philippines, the squadron’s ground personnel saw some direct combat with Japanese forces. When the 58th Operations Group went to Okinawa in July, the 201st stayed behind.
Only one aircraft from the 201st was destroyed in combat, but three pilots did lose their lives. Remarkably, five of the surviving pilots went on to become generals in the Mexican Air Force. MacArthur formally recognized the Aztec Eagles for their heroism. Upon their return home, they were greeted with a hero’s welcome in Mexico City, including a parade as well as thanks and honors from President Manuel Ávila Camacho, to whom they presented their battle flag.[8] Although I don’t have an official source on this, I read somewhere that the squadron’s leader, Antonio Rodriguez, was so famous once back in Mexico that it wasn’t uncommon for him to be asked for autographs.
Although its role in the Pacific War is not widely remembered today, the 201st is still an active squadron in the Mexican military. In 1994, it helped put down a Zapatista uprising in Chiapas.
The Aztec Eagles were the first Mexican Armed Forces to ever see action beyond the country’s own borders. They deserve a place in the annals of World War II history, and serve as a reminder of just how global the conflict really was.
Thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts on Mexico’s role in the Second World War, please share them in the comments. Also, consider sharing this post using the links below.
Sources:
[1] The German attack that plunged Mexico into WWII (eluniversal.com.mx)
[2] The Surprising Role Mexico Played in World War II – HISTORY
[4] Mexican miracle – Wikipedia
[5] Battle of Luzon – Wikipedia
[6] 201st Fighter Squadron – Wikipedia
[8] The Aztec Eagles of WWII: Mexican Air Force Squadron 201 – The History Reader : The History Reader
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