member played a significant role, occupying small make-shift runways spread thinly through Indochina and Burma. The success of the group depended on the dedication of the crew chiefs and ground support members, the pilots themselves, the brass, and the Tigers that made the ultimate sacrifice. It is amazing as to how such a collection of people with such varying backgrounds blended together to form such an effective team,able to do such an efficient and precise operation under terribly adverse conditions.

Much has been written and told of the aerial deeds of the Flying Tigers. Often overlooked is the account of miracles it took on

losses were harder to bear. The Tigers planes were outnumbered on average of eight to one; and most of the Japanese pilots were experienced on account of the Chinese Air Force engagements. In addition, the P-40 warhawks they were flying were much heavier and less maneuverable than the Japanese fighters. Most of the supplies were insufficient, which lead to mediocre repairs to their planes causing even more weight and balance difficulties. Most of the pilots who joined the Flying Tigers after the first recruits were

This work was not done in well equipped and stocked hangers, but under trees or even in the open with whatever equipment, tools, or parts were available. Under these primitive and rough conditions, P-40s were made ready and constantly being returned to air-worthy flight status against tremendous odds.

time they came in contact. General Stilwell would make flamboyant claims that "It is the man in the trenches that will win the war" while Chennault would constantly try to remind him "Goddamnit, Stilwell, there aren't any trenches!" Near the end of the Flying Tigers campaign in China, Chennault finally gave up trying to rely on his government, and accepted a pointed suggestion from a friend to take advantage of the retirement privileges available, before getting demoted for being too persistent. He was a Flying

The Flying Tigers were a proud close knit group to the last, and when someone was lost, it was a tragic event. Chennault had eighty pilots assigned to his combat squadrons when the war began; of this number, twenty-one died or went missing during the Flying Tigers campaign. When the returning planes were counted by the ground crew, if the sound of silence was heard for a plane supposed to be returning, the mood became instantly grim, and would be followed by the missing man routine in which the planes flying over would form up on each others wing and one plane would depart from

Some common words found in the essay are:
Flying Tigers, Defensive Pursuit, Air Force, Flying Tiger, Indochina Burma, China American, China Chennault, Tigers Stilwell, Boy Chinese, flying tigers, Joseph Stilwell, air force, flying tiger, chinese air force, japanese fighters, japanese air, tigers campaign, chinese air, ground support, p-40 warhawks, flying tigers campaign, japanese pilots,
Approximate Word count = 1290
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)