FICTION

The School the Aztec Eagles Built: A Tribute to Mexico's World War II Air Fighters

by Dorinda Makanaonalani NICHOLSON
40p. bibliog. glossary. photos. Lee & Low. Sept. 2016. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781600604409.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–6—A tribute to Air Fighter Squadron 201 (the Aztec Eagles) and Sgt. Ángel Bocanegra del Castillo, whose actions ensured the building of a school in the village of Tepoztlán, Mexico. The work begins with a quick refresher on relations between the United States and Mexico from 1830 to World War II, leading up to the creation of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. Readers follow as the pilots train and eventually join the Pacific theater in the Philippines. Running parallel to this historical narrative is the account of Bocanegra del Castillo and his journey from schoolteacher to military pilot. When the president of Mexico, Ávila Camacho, asked the soon-to-deploy Aztec Eagles if they had any requests, Bocanegra del Castillo asked for a proper school to be built in his village of Tepoztlán. By the time the squadron returned to Mexico at the end of World War II, the school had been built and named after the squadron. The importance of the school to this community is strongly emphasized. The text briefly describes the military action in which the squadron was involved. Well-captioned vintage photos appear on every page.
VERDICT The intersection of military history, biography, and the power of community is unique. An additional purchase for those looking for a multifaceted work of history.
Reviewed by Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS
Here's a virtually unknown episode from World War II. When two Mexican oil tankers were torpedoed and sunk by Germany in 1942, Mexico, despite its small peacetime army, entered the war (on the side of the Allies). In cooperation with the United States, Mexico formed one air force squadron (known as the Aztec Eagles), which trained in the United States and fought in the Pacific theater. Before the squadron members left Mexico, however, one member, former schoolteacher Angel Bocanegra, secured a promise from Mexico's president that a school would be built in his hometown of Tepoztlan. When the war ended and the Aztec Eagles returned home, they attended the dedication of the school, Escuela Escuadron 201, that still stands today. In this historical vignette, Nicholson balances the larger historical context with the intimate personal stories of some of its participants. Illustrated throughout with photographs; an author's note, a glossary, a bibliography, and source notes are appended. jonathan hunt
During WWII, Mexico formed one air force squadron, the Aztec Eagles, which fought for the Allies in the Pacific. Before leaving Mexico, one member, former schoolteacher Ángel Bocanegra, secured a promise that a school would be built in his hometown; Escuela Escuadrón 201 still stands today. In this historical vignette, Nicholson balances the larger historical context with intimate personal stories. Illustrated throughout with photographs. Bib., glos.
 , Sep 01, 2016

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