Description
Object description
American officer served as pilot with 17th Squadron, 5th Fighter Group Chinese American Composite Wing, 14th US Air Force (Flying Tigers) in China, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of training with US Air Force in US and Pakistan, 1942-1944: story of volunteering for US Air Force, 1942; description of training as pilot on T6, P40, and P51 fighters; reaction to being selected for 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers); comparison of flying tactics of Allied and Axis fighters; reason for name Flying Tigers; insignia; history of 14th Air Force; description of further training in Karachi, Pakistan; posted to 17th Fighter Squadron, 1944. Recollections of operations with 17th Squadron, 5th Fighter Group Chinese American Composite Wing 14th US Air Force (Flying Tigers) in China, 1944-19455; opinion of General Chennault; question of supply routes into China; description of airfield at Chihchiang, China; use of coolies to extend runway; first impressions of China; living conditions; food; question of learning Chinese; problem of drinking boiled water; story of arrival at Chihchiang, 8/1944; memory of burning aircraft.
REEL 2 Continues: description of living conditions at Chihchiang base; question of separate accommodation for Chinese and US pilots; type of aircraft flown; question of training; story of first combat experience; escort mission; role of 14th Air Force during Battle of Chihchiang, 4/1945; description of tactics used against Japanese; question of Japanese air power; problem of long sweeps and fuel capacity of P51; selection of targets; opinion of Japanese Air Force; story of bombing tanker; problem of communication with Chinese pilots; opinion of Chinese pilots; relations with Chinese; co-operation with Chinese Army; opinion of Chinese Army; description of operational area in south-east China.
REEL 3 continues: further comments on Battle of Chihchiang; attitude to Chinese communists; memory of river running red with blood of dead Japanese soldiers; number of missions flown; description of using 'Frags' (fragmentation bombs) and napalm; story of Chinese pilot and problem of language; question of technical ability of Chinese pilots; opinion of General Stilwell and relationship with Chiang Kai Shek; opinion of General Chennault as air tactician; lines of communication; comparison of experiences as pilot in China, Korea and Vietnam; attitude to being captured; story of being shot down on mission over Siang River area, 1945.
REEL 4 Continues: damage to aircraft; description of baling out and landing in paddy field on hillside; question of identification as US pilot and showing Chinese flag; story of help from Chinese guerillas and traveling across country; help from Chinese civilians; food; methods of travel; story of giving parachute to farmers; question of communication with Chinese; attitude to capture by Japanese; question of Chinese and Japanese taking prisoners; opinion of treatment of prisoners; retuned to base at Chihchiang and medical treatment.
REEL 5 Continues: question of evading capture; importance of carrying Chinese flag; reason for downed pilots not being allowed to return to combat missions; memory of Japanese surrender; description of non-combat missions; reaction to dropping of atomic bomb and surrender of Japanese; reputation of Flying Tigers and unconventional nature; story of visit to cinema; attitude to serving with Flying Tigers; further comments on General Chennault.