A brief history . . .
In December 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor, the American Volunteer Group,
led by Claire Lee Chennault, went into action fighting for the Chinese.
Shortly thereafter, on July 4, 1942, the group was disbanded and the China
Air Task Force was created.
The China Air Task Force was activated at Kunming, China under the 10th
Air Force. It consisted of the 23rd Fighter Group with four squadrons
and the 11th Bomb Squadron. Brigadier General Claire Chennault commanded
the China Air Task Force and Colonel Robert L. Scott commanded the 23rd
Fighter Group.
From July 1942 until March 1943, the five China Air Task Force squadrons
successfully defended their bases and the eastern end of the India-China
air supply route over the Himalayas. The 14th Air Force replaced the China
Air Task Force on March 10, 1943, commanded by Major General Chennault.
The Flying Tigers of the small 14th Air Force compiled a record of aerial
victories of more than ten to one and played a significant role in the
defeat of Japan. |