Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Excellent mention on the Mexican Air Force who served in the Philippines in WWII with outstanding participation attached to US units. They were Escaudron 201 of the Fuerza Aerea Expedicionaria Mexicana and were flying the P-47D Thunderbolt fighter planes. These pilots affectionately called the planes 'el jarro' (=the jug) and referred to themselves as the Aztec Eagles.
They never wanted to play up thier part in the action and of course never thought of themselves as particularly heroic, and after the war were largely forgotten. Few really know that our friends from south of the border actually had an air force, let alone fought at our side in WWII. Thanks for including it here.
|
Interesting. Thanks for sharing this. Learning something new everyday.
As for the Spanish who "brought over Mexicans" to the Philippines in the 1800s. I believe many folks who are in to Philippine History, and many Filipino historians included, seem to forget about the Philippines under the "New Spain" Era. Prior to the opening of the Suez Canal and prior to Mexico becoming independent, from 1565 to 1821 the Philippines was a district of "Virreinato de Nueva Espaņa"(Viceroyalty of New Spain), and not under Spain directly. New Spain was the Spanish Empire of North and Central America, which had their own Viceroy and Mexico City being the capital. During this time, the Philippines had a major influx of Mexicans. This co-insides with the whole Acapulco-Manila Galleon Trade...note that this trade was terminated completely in 1815 once Mexico revolted and became independent. As you can see and guess, the Spanish could no longer bring over any Mexican nationals after 1821 to the Philippines. And once the Suez Canal was open in 1869, the Philippines saw more Spaniards than Mexicans. Since we Filipinos just seem to remember more recent current events in history(pass 1-2 hundred years), Filipinos(including the school system) recognize more the Philippines under Spains control, and not under Mexicos control...thinking of Spains rule for 3-400 years. Most historians just feel the need to infuse the two eras of the Philippines being under New Spain and Spain....I choose not to, considering much of our culture can be traced back to Mexico, and not Spain...and New Spain/Mexico was nearly a different country even though they were under Spain. True, Mexico has major influences and customs directly from Spain, so it would seem the same...but you can definitely see the Mexican twist put on to those customs...and those same Mexican differences you can still see today in Philippine customs and traditions. My two centavos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILwDrdM2XD4