The men of the 449th Fighter Squadron called themselves the "forgotten
squadron." Despite serving to great effect as the only P-38 fighter
squadron with the Flying Tigers in China, the 449th received little
press or praise during or after the war. Ironically, the unit
participated in the 14th Air Force's greatest missions, including the
daring Thanksgiving Day raid on Taiwan, "accidentally" shooting down one
of the top-ranking Japanese generals in China, and even supporting Ho
Chi Minh against the Japanese in Indochina. Having spread its wings from
Taiwan to the Salween Front, the 449th is the perfect case study to
investigate Major General Claire Lee Chennault's air war over China in
World War II.