American Volunteer Group

American Volunteer Group
User Hephaestos on en.wikipedia · Public domain · source
Unit name	American Volunteer Group
Country	United States
Type	Volunteer air unit
Notable commanders	Claire Chennault

American Volunteer Group. The American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, was a volunteer air unit composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps, who flew combat missions against the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The group was formed with the approval of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was secretly funded by the United States government through the Lend-Lease Act. The American Volunteer Group was trained by Claire Chennault, a retired United States Army Air Corps officer, who had previously served as a military advisor to the Nationalist Government of China under Chiang Kai-shek.

● History

The American Volunteer Group was formed in 1941, after the Japanese invasion of China and the subsequent Battle of Shanghai. The group was composed of three squadrons: the Adam and Eve Squadron, the Panda Bear Squadron, and the Hell's Angels Squadron. The pilots were recruited from the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps, and were given leave from their respective services to join the group. The American Volunteer Group was based in Kunming, China, and flew combat missions against the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy in Burma and China. The group's first combat mission was on December 20, 1941, and they quickly gained a reputation for their bravery and skill in combat, earning the respect of their Chinese Nationalist allies, including Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. The American Volunteer Group also worked closely with the British Royal Air Force and the Soviet Air Forces to coordinate their efforts against the Axis powers.

● Organization

The American Volunteer Group was organized into three squadrons, each with its own unique insignia and nickname. The Adam and Eve Squadron was the first squadron to be formed, and was composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Forces. The Panda Bear Squadron was the second squadron to be formed, and was composed of pilots from the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The Hell's Angels Squadron was the third squadron to be formed, and was composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Forces and United States Navy. The group was led by Claire Chennault, who served as the commander of the American Volunteer Group. The group's headquarters was located in Kunming, China, and they worked closely with the Chinese Nationalist Government and the United States Embassy in China to coordinate their efforts. The American Volunteer Group also received support from the Office of Strategic Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

● Operations

The American Volunteer Group flew combat missions against the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy in Burma and China. The group's primary mission was to defend the Burma Road, a vital supply route that connected China to India and the Western Allies. The American Volunteer Group also flew missions against Japanese airfields and supply depots, and provided close air support to Chinese Nationalist ground forces. The group's most notable mission was the Defense of the Burma Road, in which they successfully defended the road against a Japanese invasion. The American Volunteer Group also participated in the Battle of Rangoon and the Battle of Mandalay, and worked closely with the British Army and the Indian Army to coordinate their efforts. The group's operations were supported by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force, and they received intelligence from the British Secret Intelligence Service and the Soviet Intelligence Agency.

● Aircraft

The American Volunteer Group flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, a single-engine fighter aircraft that was provided by the United States government through the Lend-Lease Act. The P-40 was a versatile aircraft that was well-suited to the group's mission, and was used for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions. The group's aircraft were painted with the distinctive Shark mouth insignia, which became a symbol of the American Volunteer Group. The group also used the North American P-51 Mustang and the Lockheed P-38 Lightning for reconnaissance and escort missions. The American Volunteer Group's aircraft were maintained by a team of skilled mechanics, who were trained by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force. The group's aircraft were also supported by the Boeing Aircraft Company and the Douglas Aircraft Company.

● Legacy

The American Volunteer Group played a significant role in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War, and their bravery and skill in combat earned them a reputation as one of the most elite fighter units of the war. The group's legacy continues to be celebrated today, and they are remembered as heroes by the people of China and the United States. The American Volunteer Group's insignia, the Shark mouth, has become a symbol of American aviation and is still used by some United States Air Force units today. The group's story has been immortalized in films, books, and documentaries, including the John Wayne film Flying Tigers, and the History Channel documentary The Flying Tigers. The American Volunteer Group's legacy is also commemorated by the Flying Tigers Memorial in Kunming, China, and the American Volunteer Group Museum in Chongqing, China. The group's contributions to the war effort were recognized by the United States Congress and the Chinese Nationalist Government, and they were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner.