GWR
31-03-05, 10:52 AM
My interest in this is that my father was flown over the 'hump' into Chungching, the Nationalist Chinese wartime capital (now arguably China's largest city). He founded it protected by the American Volunteer Group (The Flying Tigers, complete with their well-known Shark's Teeth Decals) of the Chinese Airforce under Clare Chennault. Some sketchy evidence I have suggests that Walt Disney designed the Decals. True?
http://www.warbirdforum.com/avg.htm
As you will find on this site, they were paid a bonus for each Japanese plane shot down; and were obviously successful in that respect. Later in the war, I believe they became more fully integrated with allied forces, as Chennault became one of the head honchos in the China theater. They also saw a lot of action over Burma & Thailand. About 5 years ago +, a group of about 5 of them were interviewed on a famous Thai Language talkshow. I suspect that by now some of that group are no longer with us.
I think we shouldn't forget here that these guys probably inflicted a lot of damage in the Bangkok area. Enough said! Doubtless, there are resentments.
Story of a Flying Tiger:-
http://home.att.net/~C.C.Jordan/Rossi-AVG.html
http://www.warbirdforum.com/avg.htm
As you will find on this site, they were paid a bonus for each Japanese plane shot down; and were obviously successful in that respect. Later in the war, I believe they became more fully integrated with allied forces, as Chennault became one of the head honchos in the China theater. They also saw a lot of action over Burma & Thailand. About 5 years ago +, a group of about 5 of them were interviewed on a famous Thai Language talkshow. I suspect that by now some of that group are no longer with us.
I think we shouldn't forget here that these guys probably inflicted a lot of damage in the Bangkok area. Enough said! Doubtless, there are resentments.
Story of a Flying Tiger:-
http://home.att.net/~C.C.Jordan/Rossi-AVG.html