This article lists the various minor fictional characters who appear in the novella Or Even Eagle Flew. These characters play at best a peripheral role in the novella. Most were simply mentioned once, or had a very brief, unimportant speaking role that did not impact the plot. Some appeared only once, others appeared more than once but did not increase in importance. Most are identified by a name, but not all of them are.
Carruthers/Carmichael[]
In September 1942, Flight Officer Amelia Eahart met with a USAAF major whose name was either Carruthers or Carmichael (Earhart didn't quite catch his name). The major admitted the plan was for Earhart to be promoted to captain, return to the U.S., and tour the country to boost war-bond sales and help recruit women as ferry pilots. The major also made it clear that women were not going to fly combat missions in the USAAF. In response, Earhart announced that she would not be transferring from the RAF.[1] To Earhart's surprise, Air Marshal Sholto Douglas granted her request to stay in the RAF. During their meeting, he admitted that she'd nettled him early on, but she kept her head down and did her job after that, which made her rather unique among the Americans he'd met. He posted her back to 609 Squadron.[2]
Earhart's RAF instructor[]
A veteran sergeant of the RAF instructed Amelia Earhart in mid-1940. They initially used a Miles Master. The sergeant was impressed with Earhart's skill, and admitted he was almost embarrassed to be instructing her. However, the instructor had much to say about combat. After they changed over to a Spitfire, the instructor explained how best to engage the Germany Me-109, emphasizing that the 109 was the superior plane in many ways.[3]
English farmer[]
A English farmer briefly "captured" Amelia Earhart, Andrew Mamedoff, Red Tobin, and Shorty Keough when they landed their stolen planes in his field. Armed with nothing than a pitchfork, the farmer warned the four (whom he assumed were Germans) that soldiers were on their way. He recognized Earhart, which diffused the tension quickly.[4]
French bureaucrat at St. Nazaire[]
Amelia Earhart, Red Tobin, Andrew Mamedoff, and Vernon Keough were held at St. Nazaire by suspicious French bureaucrats, until Earhart revealed her identity to one particularly snippy bureaucrat. Once he recognized her, he accepted her word regarding the men, and let the pilots board the train to Paris.[5]
Harassing French doctor[]
A short, dumpy French doctor with a fringe of gray hair gave Amelia Earhart a physical exam in Paris. He was resigned to the fact that France was "dead". During the examination, he groped her and insinuated that if she did him sexual favors he would insure she'd pass her physical. She threatened to beat the crap out of him if he continued to touch her inappropriately. He gave her a passing physical exam.[6]
Mayor of Epping[]
The mayor of Epping attended the wedding of Andrew Mamedoff and Penny Craven. When two pilots from 71 Squadron buzzed the reception, the mayor angrily announced he was contacting the RAF. Amelia Earhart was also present, and she realized that there probably would be some consequences for the fly-by.[7]
Otis[]
Otis was one of two American customs agents who reviewed passports in on a train bound for Montreal in May, 1940. Otis' friend gave him grief for checking Amelia Earhart's passport, mocking the idea that she was headed to the U.K. to fly planes for the "stupid king." Otis retorted that Earhart looked like Charles Lindbergh. Neither man recognized Earhart, and her passport still listed her married name "Amelia E. Putnam." Otis accepted her claim that she was visiting Montreal to visit friends. He and his colleague gave some American men a harder time, but didn't detain anyone.[8]
Otis' friend[]
A pair of U.S. custom agents reviewed passports in on a train bound for Montreal in May, 1940. One of the agents, Otis, checked Amelia Earhart's passport. His colleague mocked the idea that Earhart was headed to the U.K. to fly planes for the "stupid king." Otis retorted that Earhart looked like Charles Lindbergh. Neither man recognized Earhart, and her passport still listed her married name "Amelia E. Putnam." Otis accepted her claim that she was visiting Montreal to visit friends. The two agents some American men a harder time, but didn't detain anyone.[9]
Piet[]
Piet (b. c. 1919) was a South African pilot who received training at the RAF's OTU in Croydon in June 1940. In July 1940, the apprentice pilots were assigned to squadrons. The apprentices celebrated with a raucous party. During the celebration, Piet, very drunk, attempted to kiss and grope Amelia Earhart. She responded by headbutting him in the bridge of his nose. When Piet threatened violence, Earhart's fellow Americans, Red Tobin, Shorty Keough, and Andrew Mamedoff intervened. Piet stormed off.[10]
Ralph[]
Ralph (d. 1940) was a pilot with the 609 Squadron. He was shot down in September 1940 during the Blitz. Squadron CO Lt. Darley lamented his death as he contemplated writing Ralph's death notice. Darley believed that Ralph's wife of six months was also expecting.[11]
RAF Flight Lieutenant[]
Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson met with a flight lieutenant in their efforts to convince the RAF to allow Johnson to fly combat missions. The flight lieutenant's initial response was to deny the request on the grounds that Johnson was a woman. When Earhart pointed out her own combat record (two confirmed kills, and several sorties), and reminded him of how dire the war was for the United Kingdom, the flight lieutenant set up a meeting with Air Marshal Sholto Douglas.[12]
Robbie Robertson[]
Robbie Robertson was a British MP during World War II. At the outbreak of the war, he "specialized" in arranging to have non-British volunteer pilots accepted into the Royal Air Force, including American pilots Amelia Earhart, Red Tobin, Andrew Mamedoff, and Shorty Keough.[13] With his genial personality and financial generosity, he became friendly and popular with American pilots.[14]
In September 1940, after a public outcry raised by Earhart, Robertson pressured Air Marshal Sholto Douglas to accept Amy Johnson and other women into the RAF.[15] A few weeks later, he was assigned as liaison to the 71 Squadron, the first of the Eagle Squadrons, where he met Earhart in person.[16]
Literary comment[]
Robbie Robertson appears to be based on the historical John Roland "Robbie" Robinson, 1st Baron Martonmere, a British MP who was a liaison with No. 71 Squadron RAF in OTL. Whether Turtledove changed Robinson's name to "Robertson" intentionally or not is unclear. Thus, the administrators have decided to treat this character as fictional.
Lyon Sprague[]
Lyon Sprague was a bellboy at the Mount Royal Hotel in May, 1940. He carried Amelia Earhart's luggage to her room when she first arrived.[17] Later, Sprague gave Earhart and her fellow flyers (Eugene Tobin, Andrew Mamedoff, and Vernon Keough) envelopes sent by Colonel Charles Sweeny.[18]
References[]
- ↑ Or Even Eagle Flew, pgs. 148-151, loc. 1604-1639, ebook.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 153-156, loc. 1660-1698.
- ↑ Ibid. pgs. 35-40, loc. 428-487.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 24-32, loc. 304-398, ebook.
- ↑ Ibid. pgs. 14-15, loc. 184-199.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 18-20, loc. 242-261.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 113, loc. 1234.
- ↑ Ibid. pgs. 1-2, loc. 48-53.
- ↑ Ibid. pgs. 1-2, loc. 48-53.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 42-45, loc. 492-508.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 74, loc. 835.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 75, loc. 851.
- ↑ Or Even Eagle Flew, pg. 35, loc. 428, ebook
- ↑ Ibid., pg. Ibid., pg. 93, loc. 1024.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 81-83, loc. 912-931.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 93-94, loc. 1024-1040.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 5, loc. 89.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 9, loc. 128.
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