Today in World War II History—Oct. 8, 1940 & 1945

American pilots of No 71 ‘Eagle’ Squadron rush to their Hurricanes at Kirton-in-Lindsey, 17 March 1941. (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—Oct. 8, 1940: RAF forms Eagle Squadrons for volunteer American fighter pilots. RAF ace, Czech pilot Jozef Frantizek (28 kills), killed in crash in Surrey. First Indian Air Force pilots arrive in UK. In World Series, Cincinnati Reds defeat Detroit Tigers 4 games to 3.

70 Years Ago—Oct. 8, 1945: Nazi Rudolf Hess (who stole plane May 10, 1941 and flew to Scotland in unauthorized attempt to negotiate peace with Britain) is flown from England for Nuremberg Trials.