Andrew Mamedoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew B Mamedoff
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Andrew Mamedoff (right) with Vernon Keough and Eugene Tobin, Church Fenton, Yorkshire, October 1940
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| Nickname(s) | Andy |
| Born | 12 August 1912 Warsaw, Russian Empire |
| Died | 8 October 1941 (aged 29) near Maughold, Isle of Man, England |
| Place of burial |
Brookwood Military Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  France United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1941 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Service number | 81621 |
| Unit | No. 609 Squadron RAF No. 71 Squadron RAF No. 133 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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Flight lieutenant Andrew Beck Mamedoff (born August 12, 1912 – died October 8, 1941), known as Andy, was a brave American pilot. He flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. He was one of the special "Few" American pilots. These pilots fought in the famous Battle of Britain in 1940.
About Andrew Mamedoff
Andrew Mamedoff was born in 1912 in Warsaw. At that time, Warsaw was part of the Russian Empire. His family later moved to Europe and then to the United States.
In the US, Andrew went to Tourtellotte Memorial High School. He also studied at Bryant University. He loved flying and learned to fly planes. He even owned his own plane! Andrew would perform cool tricks at airshows. Before the war, he was trying to start a plane charter business in Miami.
Andrew was friends with another pilot named Eugene Tobin. They used to fly together in California. In 1941, Andrew married an English woman named Alys Laird Craven. She was known as "Penny." Their wedding took place in Epping, England.
Fighting in World War II
When World War II began, Andrew Mamedoff wanted to help. He and his friends, Eugene Tobin and Vernon Keogh, were among many pilots who wanted to join the French Air Force. However, by the time they reached France, Germany had already invaded the country.
So, Andrew, Eugene, and Vernon traveled to England. There, they joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1940. They were ready to fight for freedom.
Joining the RAF
After training to fly the Supermarine Spitfire plane, Andrew joined No. 609 Squadron. This was on August 8, 1940. He was part of "A Flight." On August 24, his plane was badly damaged during a fight. He had to make an emergency landing near Freshwater.
On September 18, 1940, Andrew moved to RAF Kirton in Lindsey. He became a founding member of the famous No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron. This squadron was special because it was made up of American pilots. His friends, Art Donahue, Eugene Tobin, and Vernon Keogh, were also in this squadron.
In August 1941, Andrew was moved to RAF Duxford. He joined another "Eagle Squadron," No. 133 Squadron. Here, he became a flight commander, leading other pilots.
His Final Flight
On October 8, 1941, Andrew Mamedoff was flying his Hurricane plane. He was on a routine flight from Fowlmere Airfield to RAF Eglinton in Northern Ireland. Sadly, his plane crashed near Maughold on the Isle of Man. It is believed that bad weather caused the accident.
Andrew's body was later found. He was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England. He was a brave pilot who gave his life fighting for freedom.
See also
