The “Chinese Air Force American Volunteer Group,” better known as the “Flying Tigers,” was composed of American civilian volunteer pilots recruited by Colonel Claire Lee Chennault to fight against Japan in Burma and China from 1941 to 1942. Flying outdated and worn aircraft, the “Flying Tigers” often faced shortages of fuel, spare parts, and pilots, yet repeatedly defeated the Japanese Air Force, which was larger in scale and better equipped. They airlifted supplies, provided air cover for the Burma Road, and fought alongside the Chinese military and civilians against Japanese aggression. During their operations in China, more than 2,000 American members were killed in action, over 200 were rescued by the Chinese people, and many Chinese lost their lives in the course of these rescues.

Photo 1 (Xinhua News Agency): A group photo of the Flying Tigers.

Photo 2 (Xinhua News Agency): In August 1945, a Flying Tigers member Joe Day reading an English newspaper reporting on Japan’s surrender in Zhijiang County, central China's Hunan Province.