Here's the story of how a handful of young Americans, fighting with
improvised equipment, commanded the air against superior enemy forces
and won! Written by a radio operator who served as a member of the AVG
(American Volunteer Group) throughout their existence, this fascinating,
intimate story of General Claire Lee Chennault's "Flying Tigers" is
loaded with original photographs and numerous first-hand accounts from
the author's personal diary. It's all here - the whole story of how the
AVG shot down over 650 Japanese plane using obsolete P-40s and a
communications network that covered China with a protective "umbrella."
This ground based radio network (in which the author operated) kept the
pilots so well-informed of enemy air activity that they were seldom
surprised by Japanese attacks. Enjoyable to read, this memoir will give
you a taste of the "local flavor" of life in China while under Japanese
attack. You'll find a musing anecdotes and accurate descriptions of the
author's duty as a radio operator as well as the wartime activities of
other AVG member. Now, the complete story of the AVG - the deadliest,
most efficient group of fighter pilots and support personnel ever
assembled - is brought to life again through original photographs and
behind the scenes descriptions! Robert M. Smith was a sergeant-air
mechanic first class for the U.S. Air Force when the recruiters arrived
on base looking for volunteers for the Chinese Air Force. He was
discharged from the Air Force and went to China to join the American
Volunteer Group, "THe Flying Tigers." When the AVG disbanded in July,
1942 he re-enlisted as a technical sergeant and retured to China with
the Army Airways Communications System. Presently he is the treasurer
and on the executive committee of the American Volunteer Group
Association.
