The Story of The Flying Tigers From WWII Volunteers to Regulars

The American Volunteer Group (AVG), famously known as the Flying Tigers, played an important role in World War II. The group’s most significant contributions were psychological and diplomatic. Americans and Chinese alike hailed them as heroes during a time when Japan held the upper hand in the war. Their bravery gave hope for an eventual victory and helped the Allied forces, who were still recovering from the attack on Pearl Harbor and other Japanese victories, to organize for battle.

Beginning of the Flying Tigers

Under the leadership of Claire Chennault, the AVG volunteers began their training in Burma in July 1941. At the time, they had few supplies and little hope for reinforcement. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the small American group was left with only 43 serviceable P-40B fighters and 84 former U.S. military pilots. Their first combat took place on December 20, 1941. The name “Flying Tigers” emerged from news reports about their impressive exploits. Despite being informal, they were highly effective. In a short span from December 1941 to July 1942, the AVG destroyed 296 Japanese aircraft in China and Burma.

Transition to Regular Forces

In July 1942, when the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) arrived, the AVG was disbanded. Yet, a few members joined Chennault in a regular army unit known as the China Air Task Force. This task force laid the foundation for the new 14th Air Force, formed in March 1943. Supplies for the 14th Air Force had to be flown over “the Hump,” a perilous 500-mile air route from India to China, crossing the Himalayas.

Chennault’s Vision

Brigadier General Claire Chennault was confident that Japan could be defeated in China by a small air force. Despite the severe supply problems, the 14th Air Force grew from under 200 aircraft to more than 700 planes by the end of the war. American airmen operating in China managed to destroy and damage over 4,000 Japanese aircraft during the war. They also sank more than a million tons of shipping and destroyed hundreds of locomotives, trucks, and bridges, aiding significantly in defeating the Japanese forces in China.

Impact on the War in China

The operations of the 14th Air Force were crucial for the war in China. Lt. General Takahashi, the Japanese Chief of Staff in China, admitted that the 14th Air Force constituted between 60 percent and 75 percent of their effective opposition. He remarked that without the air force, Japanese forces could have moved about freely in China.