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The American Volunteer Group was divided into three separate squadrons to be used in support of China. The first squadron was the "Adam and Eves," the second squadron was the "Panda Bears," and the third and final squadron was the "Hell's Angels." The third squadron was based at Mingaladon near Rangoon and fought alongside the British Royal Air Force in the defense of Rangoon. The first and second squadrons were based at Kunming, China, but later joined the third squadron fighting in the defense of Rangoon. They managed to keep the Burma Road and the port of Rangoon open for a crucial two and half month long period in which vital supplies were able to make their way into China. The advancing Japanese ground forces eventually captured Southern Burma and forced the Flying Tigers farther and farther towards the interior of China. During this time they took on a different role of supporting Chinese ground forces and defending the skies above Chinese cities from Japanese planes hoping to attack.
According to the US Army Air Force the official combat career of the Flying Tigers extended from December 7, 1941 through July 14, 1942. In this time they were given credit by the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company for 297 total planes destroyed in both the air and on the ground. Author and prominent historian on the subject Daniel Ford calculates through his research they actually destroyed around 115 planes, which is still a remarkable number. They did this with a loss on their side of 21 pilots who were either listed as missing in action, captured, or killed. |
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