Colonel Paul’s Corner – Flying Tigers

The first German soldier killed in WWII was killed by a Japanese soldier in 1937.The Germans were supporting the Chinese against Japanese invaders. The last American killed in WWII was killed on 18 Aug, 1945, three days after the ceasefire of 15 Aug. A rogue Japanese fighter pilot attacked an American B-32 aircraft over Tokyo and killed one airman. The next day all Japanese fighter planes had their propellers removed. American volunteers in China began fighting against the Japanese on 20 December, 1941. The American Volunteer Group, the AVG, better known as “The Flying Tigers” were flying P-40 fighter planes shooting down Japanese planes and strafing Japanese invaders. There was never any belief they could stop the Japanese. Their job was to fight a delaying action giving the allies time to build the forces necessary to push the Japanese out of China. The AVG was the idea of U.S. Army Major Claire Chennault. He had resigned from the Army after constant conflict with his superiors and being advised that he was unsuitable for promotion. After separating from the Army, Chennault went to China and took a job as a civilian contractor teaching Chinese pilots. He became friends with the Chinese leader, Chiang Kai-shek, and his powerful, English-speaking wife. At Chiang’s request, Chennault undertook a mission to the U.S. for the purpose of purchasing 100 P-40 fighters and the necessary support supplies to operate and maintain the aircraft. President Roosevelt approved the sale and also allowed the Chinese to recruit the needed pilots and support people from the U.S. military. The triple salary offered by the Chinese brought more than enough volunteers. Along with the high salaries, the AVG members could get bonuses, including a $500 bonus for each Japanese plane destroyed. The AVG operated as a Chinese funded mercenary force from December, 1941 until April, 1942. During that time it is estimated they destroyed 300 Japanese aircraft. They also strafed hundreds of ground troops and bombed major stockpiles of Japanese war supplies. In April of 1942 the U.S. demanded that the AVG either rejoin the U.S. Army Air Force or resign and go home. Many airmen chose to stay, including Claire Chennault. He was reinstated as a Major. Within a year he was promoted to Major General and given command of 14th Air Force, a large organization with more than 700 aircraft. Chennault and the senior U.S. commander in China, General Stilwell, despised each other. Stilwell made numerous attempts to discipline Chennault with each effort blocked by Chaing Kai-shek. Chennault was twice married and had ten children. Two of his sons served in the U.S. Army Air Force and later in the USAF after it was created in 1947. He died of lung cancer at the age of 64 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.