The Flying Tigers - America's Private Air Force

This video is sponsored by Call of War WWII, a free to play multiplayer strategy game: callofwar.onel...
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: SY; US National Archives

[@pilifhunter4864]

Fun fact: Polish pilot Witold Urbanowicz was also a member of The Flying Tigers. He volunteered in september 1943. He shot down 2 japanese Nakajima's Ki-44. He was the only polish soldier who fought the japanese.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Damn Poland. 🇲🇨

[@ahenrycc84]

@@silverhawkscape2677 You got the Red/White colours upside down (Indonesian flag) for your flag Emoji

[@officierpolonais2367]

Great information!

[@ਪੰਜਾਬੀ-ਸ4ਟ]

🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩poland continued after defeat ,good 👍🏻

[@davidrobinson4012]

Polska!

[@Archer89201]

My state of Arunachal Pradesh, north east India has several crash sites from ww2 including 2 near my ancestral village. This was part of what was known as the Hump across the Himalayas, most difficult part of the supply run for the Kuomintang from India. Most of the airframe unfortunately have been used for scrap by the tribesmen and others for local machetes due to high quality of the metal and mostly the engines remain. Even today new crash sites are found in the deep jungles and hills , a couple of years ago a new site was found by boar hunters in the neighbouring district. My clan has a history of rescuing a foreigner(every foreigner was a british for our tribesmen) who fell from the sky, they nursed him to health and carried him to Sadiya town in Assam across unforgiving jungle and hills, unfortunately we have no written records because my tribe lacks a script , but the story survives via oral tradition

[@karlspaulding1870]

Hita Techi, hi. Cool story about the hump and helping Allied flyers!

[@Archer89201]

@@karlspaulding1870 my great great grandparents had no idea wtf was going on and our tribe didnt realize a massive war was going on

[@halops117]

It survives now in a youtube comment I guess. Way to go!

[@pectenmaximus231]

One of the most remarkable comments I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Thanks for sharing.

[@CostaCola]

On behalf of my grandfathers I thank your grandfathers for their kindness c:

[@colanitower]

I never knew Duch volunteers were in the first volunteer air unit. Nothing of this is told in Dutch history classes. No history teacher knows about these gems of history. Thank you, Mr. Felton.

[@rambonatorrrr6694]

Way too small a detail to tell in a history class smarty. If you want to learn more, you always have to seek it out.

[@colanitower]

@@rambonatorrrr6694 Seeking it out needs a starting point, that's what Mark Felton provides here and that's what history classes are for.

[@rambonatorrrr6694]

@@colanitower exactly. All I said was that you can't expect to learn it in the classroom of a high school.

[@colanitower]

@@rambonatorrrr6694 You did not say that. The word 'smarty' in it also radiates contempt which is unnecessary. And I don't understand why this kind of things shouldn't be told in high school history class. Why not? It is a perfect place to spark interest in history.

[@rambonatorrrr6694]

@@colanitower the first sentence. Yeah it, greatly irks me when someone makes a statement like that, when clearly, history in high school is a way of conveying the most important pieces of history for that country. A couple volunteers in a company that had a minimal impact on the war is not really something that stands out among other acts in the war, for example Karel Doorman and the Java sea battles.

[@Ammo08]

I got to meet Pappy Boyington many years ago...helluva man....wicked sense of humor. My landlord had been one of his Corsair mechanics and he took me over to Illinois to visit Pappy.

[@korbell1089]

Red West was your landlord?

[@Ammo08]

@@korbell1089 Nope,,however, my sister and Red went to high school together at Humes with some singer...

[@robertsmith-oh9mo]

@@Ammo08 Ya, I heard that too. The singer was some one hit wonder flash in the pan. Wonder what happened to that guy?

[@cyclonedronz7861]

My grandfather was a Flying Tiger Flight Doctor in Burma, he loved it. These guys were heroes.

[@chrissnyder2091]

That is very interesting I grew up in Dunedin Florida, I was told Dr McKenzie ( our family doctor) had been with the flying tigers. I sometimes wondered if he was a doctor at the time or a pilot or possibly ground crew. That was back in the sixties and early seventies. His son Dusty had been a schoolmate of mine. I never found out, but I have periodically wondered...

[@cyclonedronz7861]

@@chrissnyder2091 My grandfather’s name was Robert Arthur Burns. I have his pictures and his flying tigers chit patch. He did a lot of hunting while he was there… he was not a pilot. Not sure how long he was there

[@chrissnyder2091]

@@cyclonedronz7861 strange connections..

[@marks.c4753]

@@chrissnyder2091 I grew up in Dunedin also ,our doctor was doctor Smith. I don't meet to many falcons on the internet considering how small Dunedin is.

[@chrissnyder2091]

@@marks.c4753 class of 74 Highlanders

[@seattlesix9953]

My dad didn’t talk too much his time flying in Burma except for eating canned Vienna sausages for months. He refused to eat them for the remainder of his life. He flew in three air campaigns and also ran cargo durning the Marshall Plan. I consider myself fortunate to have known him.

[@khahinmetameta7826]

Burma wasn't easy the AVG and RAF were short on planes and often didn't have radar not to mention the humidity and jungle messed with with Allison and Rolls royce merlin engines of the RAF hurricane II

[@richardhart9204]

I love those canned Vienna sausages.

[@23draft7]

Is that a pick six? Go Hawks! Wouldn't blame him one bit. Most wouldn't . Hope he lived a good life after the war. God 🙏 bless

[@RCAvhstape]

They actually had those Vienna sausage abominations in the early 40s?

[@richardhart9204]

@@RCAvhstape Abominations? You, me, outside - NOW!

[@faithnfire4769]

I was lucky enough to get to meet one of these guys back when I was a kid. Still have a signed picture of a P-40 in my old room. Who knew Panda Bears could fly?

[@rons5438]

When I was a kid I met Pappy Boyington, and got a signed copy of his book "Baa Baa Blacksheep". He was an interesting guy, and one of the top aces of WWII. His count is disputed because his official record with the Marines places him low in the top 10, but when you add his kills from his time with the flying tigers he is up near the top. Some say he was the top ace, but I haven't ever been able to find anything to substantiate that claim. Still, he was a neat old guy and it was really cool to be able to talk to him. It was an influential life moment.

[@pauld6967]

@@rons5438 I met "Pappy" at the annual aircraft get-together the Experimental Aircraft Association (E.A.A.) has in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He also gave some commentary in the 'Theater in the Woods' the night they were showing the John Wayne film, _'The Flying Tigers'_ . At a different airshow, I have had the privilege of conversing with and shaking hands with Paul Tibbits, Jr. Ah, good times.

[@barrykevin7658]

Now that's cool.

[@gordonv2456]

I met one in Yakima WA with my dad 40 years ago (I was a kid).

[@pauld6967]

@@gordonv2456 That's a nice thing about life, significant events can stick with you forever. Especially good father-son activities.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

Imagine resigning because of too much combat, and then getting immediately drafted because you have extensive combat experience.

[@bp6942]

And being told you would face desertion charges despite being a part of a private force owned by a corporation and "not having ties to the US govt"

[@ObservingtheObvious]

I was always under the impression that the AVG pilots revolted and were looking to resign because the Tigers were going to be incorporated into the US Far East command and they didn’t like the commander and command structure and Chennault persuaded the pilots to stay on.

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

@@ObservingtheObvious yeah. USAAF threatened to draft them as privates if they don't volunteer, so many left and rejoined their old units per their contracts

[@ElsinoreRacer]

They sent some ass-hat to brief them on being absorbed into the Air Corps and he lead off by threatening them with court-martial. They already loved Chennault and his leadership style and naturally were concerned about leadership changes if the Air Corps took over. Then this guy shows up says exactly the the worst things in the worst way possible. He talked most of them out of quitting by assuring them that THAT clown would would not be around. And Chennault saw to it that that was true.

[@lordofthemound3890]

Weren’t they also getting a $300 bonus for each aircraft destroyed? They would lose that bonus incentive upon being absorbed into the USAAF.

[@RReese08]

After WWII, former AVG pilot Robert Prescott cofounded the National Skyway Freight Corporation, where it operated as an air cargo freight service based in Los Angeles. The company was renamed Flying Tiger Line in 1947 and continued to provide services for both commercial clients and US government agencies until it was acquired by Federal Express in the late 1980s after suffering several years of profit losses prior to that. In the early 1960s, Prescott and a partner bought out a local Italian restaurant that they frequented in the Los Angeles area and renamed it The Hungry Tiger. That venture expanded to a chain of restaurants in the Southern California area and seafood comprised the bulk of the menu. Despite a change in management, lack of financial resources, combined with stiff competition from other restaurant chains, forced the closure of a number of less profitable outlets until the The Hungry Tiger chain was bought out in the mid-1980s by a large conglomerate based in New York. This move still wasn't enough to save the chain, and The Hungry Tiger met its demise sometime in the late 1980s. Once again, Thank You Dr. Felton for your tireless research and outstanding presentation of one of the most fabled names from World War II.

[@ntabile]

I knew the Flying Tigers like a FEDEX. So this air delivery company is way ahead of Fedex. They were operating in my country from the 60s to the 70s until acquired by Fedex.

[@jammer3618]

As a kid, one of our neighbors had been a mechanic with the AVG. He loathed the Japanese until the day he died.

[@EvilLordBane]

I had an uncle who was a part of the Flying Tigers (after it had been absorbed into the USAAF). He often talked to me about his time in China during the war, and was a major reason I joined the USAF back in the 1980's. As I was in boot camp at Lackland AFB, he came to visit me one day, (which happened to be the same day I got into the most amount of trouble I got into during boot camp). I told my T.I. he was a retired colonel, and all my problems magickly disappeared. He has been dead for a few decades now, and I miss him and the stories he told about his time as a Flying Tiger.

[@user-82719a]

Sorry for your loss and may He Rest In Peace.

[@donlarocque5157]

I went in July 8,83.

[@paulbeesley8283]

It's not what you know, it's who you know. Did you're uncle ever fly after the war? I have often wondered what pilots did when there was no more war flying and civil aviation was either too small or too expensive to offer opportunities.

[@EvilLordBane]

@@paulbeesley8283 Thank you for taking an interest in my late uncle. I'm not sure what he did just after the war, but he did become a reservist in the USAAF (later the USAF) and keep his flying statist up until problems with his eyes forced him to relinquish his pilot's license. But the time I came into this world, he was in the business of making ads for TV, most of which were shown on local TV, but he did have a few go national. He asked me a few times to be an extra in some of his ads, I never got paid for it, but I did get free food out of the deal, which was good enough for me.

[@paulbeesley8283]

@@EvilLordBane Thank you for that. I am always interested in how veterans made use of the time they had been granted after the war ended.

[@censusgary]

The notes attached to the pilots’ jackets remind me of Paddington: “Please look after this bear.”

[@andrewstallings6548]

We used the same thing in Afghanistan early on when I was there. It was inside of a pouch on our belts. It basically said in a dozen languages “return this person to the nearest American military base for a cash reward”.

[@mikehipperson]

@@andrewstallings6548 Dead or alive?

[@andrewstallings6548]

@@mikehipperson I’m almost positive yes. However I don’t believe the dead part was advertised so well.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

Also like the "Goolie chit" that British pilots carried when flying over Afganistan in the 1920's. Gold was promised if a shot down pilot was returned wearing his 'bits'.

[@scottcharney1091]

"... Thank you!"

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

What I love about Mark Felton is that he tackles histories that others ignore. Stories that go mostly untold if no one is actively trying to search for it.

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

@@LordBruuh did they really dove into it or were it skim over?

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

@@Makeitliquidfast and you are naive in thinking that every history minded person would know the flying tigers so completely without their memory cheating them over time. You should be encouraging good interactions over history not degrading others. Have you learn nothing.

[@Ndlanding]

@@LordBruuh And they appeared from time to time in The Victor comic.

[@Ndlanding]

@@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4 Your question: "did they really dove into it or were it skim over?" has been passed on to the United Nations Translation Dept. They have told us this may take many years to resolve, so please be patient.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Not really. Even Mark Felton do misinformation. For example... calling it as "China controlled Manchuria" and insinuating Japan doesn't want to occupy the entire country of China.

[@barkebaat]

I'm a woodworker. On my table saw I use 'push-sticks' to keep my fingers away from the saw blade. They're basically a nicely shaped handle with a notch - to grip the work piece - on the sacrificial end. I always draw a 'P-40' Tiger's Mouth around the notch; white teeth, blood red mouth & evil green eyes above on each side. I blame Airfix.

[@brianmckinney9580]

Our uncle dedicated to the 14th Hole at our ww2 golf course came in with the first wave of 14th AF pilots under Chennault. Major Schiel was his CO and was an original AVG pilot. My uncle Captain Lynn Jones shot 5 Japanese aircraft down, 3 of which were Oscars.

[@casinodelonge]

Its not just Daniel Day-Lewis who got 3 Oscars then??

[@flyingf1sh]

It sounds as if he may have flown with my dad, WHS was there at the same town

[@brianmckinney9580]

@@flyingf1sh he was based out of Kunming he is from South Texas

[@blake_229]

I recommend Dr. Felton to anyone that has a true interest of history. This channel is by far one of the most educational channels on KZbin and cable television. Thank you for your work.

[@Kevin-bl6lg]

But I hate how he makes us Germans look like Nazis. We are no Nazis and never have been. We are the nicest and most gracious of all, we have everything and are far superior than any other race.

[@varun009]

You (a nobody) are telling people that in the comments section of one of his videos. In other words, you, no one of note, are telling us, people who have not only clicked on the video but who have also dipped into the comments, to watch... Kind of preaching to the choir here, aren't we? To go into the comments section is a pretty daring expression of interest. God knows good things seldom come from these parts.

[@potatomasherr]

d e a d a s s

[@NathanDudani]

tRuE iNtErEsT

[@NathanDudani]

@@varun009 nObOdY oF iNtErEsT

[@parallaxbill2276]

I just wanted to let you know that as a 64 year old military history buff, I surely appreciate your efforts at bring us all these great videos. I check for them regularly and watch every one. Thank you sir!

[@theowl2044]

I'm Chinese and this is my favorite part of our WW2 history.

[@EricDaMAJ]

General Chennault supplied the US with the first intel on the Japanese Zero’s capabilities. The US Army Air Force circular filed it.

[@williammiao8862]

Fun fact: The first Zero ever shot down was shot down by Chinese Air Force Officer COL.Sun Jian Feng( he was a 2LT of the 2nd Air Defence Regiment at that time), operating a Soviet ShKAS Machine gun(Jerry rigged onto a tripod).

[@acchaladka]

That sounds very USG.

[@gregsmall5939]

Not invented here syndrome.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

It took the 75TH and 77TH Australian Squadrons flying P40's to work out early tactics in 42 against them for the USAAF forces over Papua New Guinea

[@Rohilla313]

I sometimes wonder what would have happened if the Americans hadn’t captured an intact Zero in the Aleutians and created the Hellcat.

[@cpprcrk1833]

If memory serves me , the pilot "Revolt" was due to the USAAF taking over the Volunteers and forcing them back into active duty at the threat of Court Martial . ( they had all been allowed to leave the Armed Forces honorably to become Volunteers fighting for China . The Army forced Chenault to step down as the leader of the outfit . If I recall Gen Vinegar Joe Stilwell was the bird who through his absolute lack of Tact , and need for Total control despite what was actually best , caused the whole mess . Mark Clark gets lots of grief as the worst General of the war , but my money is on Vinegar Joe .

[@jamesruddy9264]

General Claire LEE Chennault, was the Great-Grandson from his mother's side, of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

[@davidwilliams5749]

I won't hold that against him.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Ah, so the "Flying Tigers" were the Army of Northern Virginia's air arm in disguise! That figures!

[@Sshooter444]

Two great generals

[@hueydoc]

@UN KNOWN Lincoln offered command of the Northern Armies to Robert E Lee first. Lee turned him down, saying he preferred to defend his home. He was also against slavery, unlike most Union Generals

[@stanleyrogouski]

@@hueydoc Grant inherited a slave from his wife, who he freed even though he was dead broke at the time. Lee never freed any of his slaves.

[@ronaldomarques3586]

Thank you Dr. Felton, always a pleasure to follow your history lessons. I would add that the AVG has the best kill ratios of fighter groups within the allies to date: 21:1 air victories.

[@Teh0X]

Comparing aircraft kills to pilot casualties on friendly soil is quite the biased way of counting, isn't it? Can't get much better than that. I was rather expecting to hear how many of those over 100 P-40s were lost in combat. At least when defending over terrain, they might have had more reliable kill claims, but on the other hand those P-40s likely didn't have gun cameras.

[@ronaldomarques3586]

@@Teh0X If you count that way you will completely destroy the Luftwaffe Aces count in WW2 - several of them were shot down, multiple times. All P40s had gun cameras. I suggest you read “God is my Co-pilot” By Col. Robert Lee Scott, to have a better picture of the their battles and how victories were claimed in that specific theatre of war.

[@Teh0X]

@@ronaldomarques3586 That's very true about the German aces indeed, although it's quite well known too. I'm only pointing out that aircraft to aircraft win to loss is more appropriate when talking about whole squadron, maybe even more so in a theater were replacements weren't often available. I really thought P-40s didn't yet have cameras as standard and were left out from exports.

[@jimcronin2043]

Chenault was in frequent conflict with Stillwell as he contradicted Stillwell's advice to Chaing Kai Chek. This led to much delay and confusion among the Chinese. Chaing wanted to conserve his ground forces (and lend/lease aid) for use against the communists and Chenault convinced him that he could confine his efforts against the Japanese to air missions. Stillwell insisted that ground forces were required to protect forward air bases against Japanese troops. Stillwell proved correct but earned the enmity of Chaing and Chenault.

[@williamshipley4841]

More priority given to supplying Chennault with fuel and equipment could well have denied Japan the sky as well as the ability to supply the ground forces by boat. Chennault was never popular with the War department since they were still enamored with bombers. In the end they were using vast amounts of equipment to bomb factories that were running at a fraction of capacity because of lack of raw materials.

[@jimcronin2043]

@@williamshipley4841 Chennault and Chaing kept advancing to airfields increasingly closer to Japanese lines in order to put them in range. Stillwell tried to tell them that the Japanese would overrun those fields if there wasn't a perimeter established with infantry to keep them out. They didn't listen and Chaing wanted to preserve his ground forces for action against the Communists. So what Stillwell warned against actually happened and the new airfields were repeatedly overrun by the Japanese as soon as operations from them commenced.

[@williamshipley4841]

@@jimcronin2043 I'd have to refresh my memory to argue more. I do know that Chennault had airfields all over the place and would move into them and out as needed. It's kind of the difference between a ground fighter and the air fighter. If you are focused on the air you are more inclined to utilize mobility than focusing on a fixed position. Stillwell wanted to defend a fixed position. A strongly defended base is not very mobile and represents a target. Chennault's best defense was to "not be there". Clearly the two did not like each other. Stillwell was a "Gdamned West Pointer" to Chennault.

[@stevewindisch7400]

Few people realize, that in 1944 the Japanese had the most successful ground campaign of the war in China ("Operation Ichi-Go"), which captured hundreds of thousands of square miles of Chinese land, filling in the blank spots all the way down the coast to Viet Nam (for years they had occupied all the ports, but not the surrounding lands). The constant defeats nearly destroyed the Nationalist armies. Stilwell tried to use the situation to demand total control of all Chinese troops.... and that was why Chiang Kai-shek finally completely broke with Stillwell and insisted Washington get rid of him (which they did). During this time, Chennault was busy moving the bombers and fighters away from the Japanese advances again and again (they finally ended up sending the B-29 bombers to the Mariannas islands, giving up on China as a base). All that moving was disruptive to the Allies air effort. So close to the end of the war, yet it was a big setback for the Allies... and a huge disaster for China. BTW during this time the Communist troops mainly sat on their hands to the West and allowed the Nationalists to take all the casualties. That is the main reason why they ended the war in such a strong position.

[@williamshipley4841]

@@stevewindisch7400 By 1944 Chennault was spitting nails over the lack of priority in fuel he was getting. He was essentially grounded through much of that time and believed he could have denied Japan shipping support for the army. He was particularly scornful about the B29's, remember he originally left the military because the "bomber people" were ascendant. From his perspective the B29s were an incredible waste of precious fuel to bomb factories which were mostly idle due to the damage that had been done to shipping. He felt that with that fuel, he could have aggressively attacked shipping and completely dried up the resources.

[@ObservingtheObvious]

I could be wrong in this assertion but I’ve always thought that the pilots were satisfied under Chennault’s command but we’re not when they were going to be folded into the US armed services under different command, and a much more strict, spit in polish, type of atmosphere instead of the free wheeling lifestyle that Chennault allowed as long as they were doing their job in the air.

[@jacksmith6965]

Mark never lets down. Grandad spent 4 years in the Pacific (42-46) and told me when he finally got his discharge papers he was in Burma. He told me the people there at the time were so destitute they walked naked. The desolation of WWII even made a poor boy from an Appalachian coal mining family cringe.

[@pmullins1495]

Yup! I grew up in that same non-union small-operator coal-mining economic-disaster, before basic conomic-development.

[@ShawnCheng1001]

From Taiwan, very like this video from Dr. Felton

[@olddiver]

These guys were studs.’ P40’s vs. Zeros… with 296 kills and 14 pilots list should always be remembered and respected . My dad flew a C;7 with several Combat’ Cargo Army Air Force Squadrons… 1@th primarily… from 1942- Spring 1946( his unit was last to leave ). He flew over the Hump’ , all over the jungle combat areas in Burma, China and the pacific. He was shot down twice and survived the war. I have always been honored to be his son. and coastal ’

[@crispycritterz]

The AVG had some pretty decent pilots, including one Greg Boyington. "Pappy" was to go on and do pretty good for himself... in spite of himself.

[@mcwildstyle9106]

Good old Pappy Boyington

[@dreamsofsnow6521]

Leader of the legendary Black Sheep squadron.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

And veterans of Pappy's "Black Sheep Squadron," VMF-214, would remember him as the best leader of men they ever knew.

[@carlambroson8872]

We’ll be back with Pappy and the boys after these messages.

[@carlambroson8872]

VMF 214

[@marcswanson7066]

US Army Air Corp Brass deeply resented The Flying Tigers. It may have been due to their high pay and freedom from military control. They were, after all, freelancers.

[@Joshua_N-A]

The predecessor of modern PMC?

[@rickdavis3593]

Freelancers = Mercenaries

[@davidscott3820]

My junior high english teacher 1967-68 was a flying tiger. But not an origial, he was with the 14th air force in ww2.

[@parallaxbill2276]

Drachinifel is also someone I follow regularly. Btw, my late father was a Merchant Marine able seaman on a T2A1 gasoline tanker in WWII bringing aviation fuel to England.

[@life_of_riley88]

Drach is a gem. As an American, I often fall asleep to his wonderfully charming accent while learning about some obscure ship or battle.

[@xiniks]

I learned of the flying tigers from the Buck Danny comics, they made me an aviation and history enthusiast from an early age

[@matthewjohnathanwarburton8342]

Buck Danny along with his friends Jerry Tumbler and Sunny Tucson are the longest serving Navy Aviators in History!

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

Lol, I've read them all and still have them somewhere ! Childhood memories.

[@CaptHollister]

OMG, I'm 61 and remember getting these at my local library, in the original French, of course. Like you, this is where I first learned of the Flying Tigers. This was later followed by a long-running, thoroughly researched series of articles in Le Fana de l'Aviation, a French magazine which specializes in aviation history.

[@joshuajohnson5317]

I remember watching old WW2 movies about the Flying Tigers

[@jmace5964]

I believe John Wayne was in one

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

There was a Dogfight episode too

[@314Tazo]

In the early 50s, there was a TV program, called the Flying Tigers.

[@motionlessevent2528]

I found the origin story of the shark's teeth fascinating! The artwork used to adorn all planes from all nations during ww2 is really interesting, from the Pinups of the American 8th army airforce (Memphis belle especially) to even the kill markings dotted underneath the canopy of fighters. Perhaps a future video on the special artwork and liveries on airforce planes is needed? the tradition endures to this day, with a-10 warthogs displaying the same toothy sinister grin as that first German Plane.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

- Yes ! .... "Nose Art" 101 !

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

There's a photo in one of my aviation history books of a First World War Royal Flying Corps airplane with a sharks mouth painted on the engine cowling, but as the author put it: "This was a very blatant marking for a British machine so the pilot was no doubt ordered to remove it."

[@motionlessevent2528]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 Exactly! i bet the story is alot deeper than mark initially toyed with, including the reason why flyers where permitted to do so. I remember reading that the RAF and USAAF in ww2 did discuss wether they should stop the practice of pinups and aircraft personalisation - however authority relented because of the pitiful survival rates during the allied strategic bombing offensive. It was felt it provided comradery and positive moral.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@motionlessevent2528 Right. What's known today as "nose art" was strictly a morale-building tool and only permitted during wartime, and then depending on the service. The US Navy and Marine Corps didn't permit it at all. When the war was over all the nose art had to be removed from any US Army Air Force aircraft remaining in service. The only combat aircraft that kept it were the ones going to the scrappers.

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 I think nose arts were still popular during Korean War

[@galaxieman1964]

The best source of REAL history on the internet, or anywhere for that matter. I truly appreciate this channel and Marks research.

[@alexander1485]

well, without slowing down the vid like DarkDocs (great vids but annoying have to slow down the vid speed to 0.75-0.85 :()

[@carlosfaliveni2442]

I' love ww2 history. Mark is the best.

[@waliwali3690]

He switches to covering the Asian side of ww2 to avoid suspicions of Nazi adoration

[@neverletyoufall]

@@waliwali3690 opinion or fact?

[@waliwali3690]

@@neverletyoufall fact 💂i know Mark personally. He is scared 😳 to death by AIPAC Lobby. And KZbin Policy .

[@exoblivione6086]

@@waliwali3690 That’s sad. History is history. It’s an interesting topic. I know KZbin is stupid but racists don’t really care about the real history. I’d love to hear more about the German side of things and how so many people just went along with an evil regime. The psychology itself is interesting. :)

[@lostintranslation150]

I lived in Chongqing for 2 years up until recently and visited the flying tiger museum there. Privately funded and named as the flying tiger museum in the war against Japanese aggression nowadays. A sad small exhibition unfortunately undermining the efforts of these brave men from all over the free world fighting the Japanese in Chongqing. General Stillwells mansion across from the museum has been demolished nowadays and little positive voice about America's contribution to the war in china is visible there now. The AVG squadron in Chongqing had their airfield in the idle of an island in the Yangtse River downtown fending off numerous air attacks and protecting the hump route over the Himalayas for supplies. Thank you for this video Dr. Felton. Much appreciated. Pappy Boyingtons life story might be interesting as younger generations couldn't watch the baba black sheep series on TV nowadays.

[@Sshooter444]

The Chinese are good at controlling narratives, aren't they?

[@lostintranslation150]

@@Sshooter444 no they aren't actually, as long as you have access to both side of the coin. I am sad for the chinese nationalists of the 21st century who truly believe in the CCP narrative. But that's not too relevant in the comment section of a history video. Yet at least :(

[@jerrycallison6125]

Thanks for your attention to this sector of the war. I was privileged to meet one of the AVG pilots several years ago. He lived next door to my father-in-law. Nice guy, but very quiet and withdrawn. No way would he talk of his experiences.

[@vk2ig]

A lot of WW2 vets were like that. One of my neighbours had fought on the Kokoda Track in PNG. He told me one day about a Japanese attack that they repelled, but didn't go into a lot of detail. That was the only time he spoke of it.

[@jaydenp4975]

What was the pilots name?

[@jerrycallison6125]

@@jaydenp4975 I'm sorry, but I cannot remember his name. My FiL called him by a nickname, and I've racked my brain trying to remember. He went by Bud, but that doesn't tell much. :-(

[@Fearless_on_my_Breath]

I love how Dr. Felton brings us stories very few ever heard of and also that he explains the background behind every topic, not just starting up without explaining what was the reason behind it. You really are the best historian of the time.

[@Czechbound]

Yes, he makes the history very understandable. For any history student of 2nd or 3rd level education, his channel is a must.

[@jonniez62]

The resignations were over being forced into the USAAF and not morale issues. Pilots want to return to thier prior branches at prior grades.

[@josephmott9584]

Yet another great WWII video from Mark Felton. My father Charles D. Mott was a flight leader in the 2d (Panda Bear) Squadron and was shot down by AA fire while strafing an airfield in Thailand on Jan. 8, 1942. He was imprisoned with British prisoners, largely from Malaya, worked on the Death Railway, and survived the war. Quite a story what these guys were able to accomplish against great odds, thanks for telling it.

[@sonicninja3434]

My great uncle flew with these guys! I have his old photos and wings!

[@liam6170]

Then your great uncle had the spirit of a tiger then

[@charlesbrown5505]

I knew one man who was a dear friend when I lived in St. Petersburg FL during the 80’s. There were many story’s amongst the bottles. I sailed with him and another Air America veteran in a 43 ft Caribbean sailing yacht. Having the two of them out on the waters of the gulf was history that I will never forget and I honor their service!🇺🇸🙏🏽👍🏼

[@michaelcapeless3268]

My father served with the Flying Tigers and he always said Chennault's name with a non-French pronunciation.

[@highdesertutah]

You mean Claire-mont Booker?

[@williamshipley4841]

The family pronounces it shen-alt.

[@michaelcapeless3268]

@@williamshipley4841 That's how my father pronounced it, too. Thanks

[@judyburns7710]

@@williamshipley4841 I grew up in Commerce, Texas, where Chennault's home stands to this day. They do indeed pronounce it 'shen-alt."

[@rodchallis8031]

As a young Anglo Canadian, we were exposed to enough French to at least give French pronunciation our best Anglo shot. This got me a few odd looks in England, where I'd do the same for English place names that were French in origin, but had been Anglicized. I would take the correction, then point out that they were wrong. :)

[@kenstrauss5841]

My dad was an official army air corps photography in the CBI theater. He was assigned to the air transport command. He flew on many missions over “ the hump “ . He took many photos of the flying tigers including a famous picture of Chang Kai shek , his wife, and Clair Chennault standing in front of a tiger p40 ! . He also took many photos of kunming and India. . He also survived being shot down over Burma . Some of his photos earned him the Gannet News Service award for best wartime photojournalism

[@SeekHistory]

This channel is a treasure, it taught me so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Dr. Felton

[@liam6170]

I wish more people would talk about the flying tigers

[@johnnieireland2057]

There is something beautiful about a foreign volunteer force thats giving their whole life to help people in a far away land. Of course many people who do anything they had to, just to protect their own country, but this is on a whole other level.

[@mikecavallaro466]

Who remembers Flying Tiger Airline? It existed for many years, founded by Flying Tiger pilots after the war.

[@IvorMektin1701]

I do.

[@btipton6899]

Didn't they only fly cargo?

[@mikecavallaro466]

@@btipton6899 I believe that's true, they were taken over by FedEx about thirty years ago.

[@HootOwl513]

@@btipton6899 They also contracted with the US Gov't for charter flights EX CONUS to West Pac. Flew on a Flying Tiger DC-8 from Travis [CA] AFB to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in 1975.

[@ntabile]

I do remember them as a Flying Cargo company in the Philippines way back 1960s to the late 70s.

[@小小何-x2x]

I am from china. American would never know how we appreciate and love THE FLYING TIGERS. we can sacrifice our lives if only we would help these heroes. Chinese will never forget heroes！

[@whatsreal7506]

Thank you!

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Glad you mentioned the awesome "blood chit." Thanks for this excellent presentation!

[@matthewlok3020]

On the blood chit, the first part would be more accurately translated as “This Westerner has come to China to assist in the war effort…”

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

There's a fun film made by Warner Brothers in 1948 called "Fighter Squadron." One of the pilots, a former Flying Tiger, is played by Edmond O'Brian, and he's shown wearing his "Tigers" flight jacket complete with the "blood chit." Nice touch!

[@flyingf1sh]

My father was one of the Flying Tigers, 14th AF (Original Air Cadre), and landed the first B24 in China. In addition to the blood chit, he also wore a two-sided silk map of both eastern and western China inside his belt. I proudly display both on the wall in my living room. After 95 combat missions he came back to the States (Yes, the number in China/Burma/India was significantly higher than in the rest of the world), and many years later began to tell me stories. Most were funny, but I learned early-on not to press him on certain topics. I have made a few comments on this topic on Quora, but much has never been shared. Mark, this was an excellent summary. One very minor error: Although General Chennault’s name has French origins, it was never produced the French way; the “l” and the “t” were clearly pronounced.

[@sidefx996]

I've been reading about this stuff my whole life and never fail to learn something new from your channel, it's an absolute treasure. Thank you for all you do I'm sure the research for these is exhausting.

[@liberty202]

Finally The AVG American volunteer group! FLYING TIGERS! Thank you Mark Felton!!

[@argentumlynn4485]

As someone from Burma(modern day Myanmar),I’m glad i could get more knowledge about the men who fought in the skies of my country.Sadly,our nation's education system is so shit that most people don’t even know such events anymore.

[@russkinter3000]

The Flying Tigers is really a huge subject that needs many videos. Ed Nash's video on pilot Bob Short an American who fought briefly and died for China in the early 30s is a must watch.

[@Rickinvegas]

Great video as always but I was a little disappointed that you didn’t cover the generous pay that was offered to the AVG members (i.e. $500 per kill etc). They were mercenaries in the truest sense but fighting for a just cause of course.

[@holyordersoftheemperorsinq246]

a just dangerous cause with a good pay is much better than simply a just dangerous cause.

[@Rickinvegas]

@@dougearnest7590 Absolutely! It was not chump change. From a recent article, the money adjusted for inflation: “Consider this job offer: A one-year contract to live and work in China, flying, repairing and making airplanes. Pay is as much as $13,700 a month with 30 days off a year. Housing is included and you'll get an extra $550 a month for food. On top of that, there's an extra $9,000 for every Japanese airplane you destroy -- no limit”

[@Four-of-Six]

@@Rickinvegas All Americans; " 30 days off a year!!!!"All the Dutch; "Only 30 days???!!?? What about paternal leave, only 26 weeks like back home or more???"

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

Many view Flying Tigers as mercenary and in many ways they do. But considering the risk and danger they definitely earned every dollar of it

[@vk2ig]

Indeed. A just dangerous course is the bearing set on the compass ring which will take you towards the enemy airfield.

[@charlessaint7926]

Frank Losonsky was the last original Flyibg Tiger. He joined the AVG in May 1941 as a crew chief with 3rd Squadron, Hell's Angels. After the AVG disbanded, he stayed on as a civilian. He passed away on 6 February 2020, at the age of 99.

[@aj-2savage896]

I was in the National Archives looking at related documents. I particularly remember the CO of Barksdale AAF's letter, a negative endorsement on one of his men applying to join the AVG. He highlighted the fact that Barksdale was already short of cooks.

[@TylerMcL3more]

I went to elementary school with General Chennault’s grandson- real nice dude who was real proud of his grandfather. Thank God for such badasses as these men!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Loved reading Robert L. Scott's book, "God is My Co-pilot" back in grade school. Nice story on the AVG and in particular, the history of the "shark's mouth" on WWII aircraft. Thanks for sharing!

[@leemichael2154]

Not sure if I read the same book but this story was about the first thing I ever read about WW2 when I was young

[@gilbert8162]

When I lived and worked in Warner Robins, Georgia for a couple of years I visited the aviation museum there by the air base, and viewed the section dedicated to his story and that book. He lived a remarkable life.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

Erik Schilling was the AVG Pilot who saw a British P-40, in a magazine, with the Shark Mouth painting. He got the permission, from Chennault, to have their P-40s painted in that manner

[@mileslong9675]

Great book!

[@raywhitehead730]

I read "God is my Co pilot" in junior high. It was inspirational, I went on to have a great career, as an Aviator.. Retired many years ago.

[@jimbo6413]

The P-40 has never been fully accorded the respect it is truly due as a fighter. Always seems to be historically regarded as "inferior" to Japanese airframes such as the Zero, but if the AVG proved anything, the P-40 could fight on even terms and prevail if handled correctly. The Zero may have been able to turn inside a P-40 at low speed, but the reverse was true at high speed. Same with climbing ability; at low speed the Zero would float almost effortlessly upward, but with the throttle balls to the wall and particularly coming out of a dive, the P-40 would easily outclimb the Zero. In all cases, the P-40 could always outdive the Zero, meaning an American pilot was easily capable of escaping a disadvantageous position in a fight while on the other hand a Japanese pilot attempting to do the same would never be able to shake a pursuing P-40. As long as the P-40 kept its nose down and speed up, it could dictate the terms of the engagement, but slowing down and yielding to the temptation to get in a turning fight with a Zero would nearly always prove to be a fatal mistake. Of course the P-40 was a rugged airframe and could absorb tremendous amounts of punishment that would turn Japanese aircraft into airborne funeral pyres. The P-40 may not have been the "best" fighter of the Second World War, but it was pretty damn good and worthy of respect.

[@TheAsh274]

Also hard to find a plane used in more theaters of the war. Though it wasn't suited to the Western Europe theater where it was mostly high-altitude (until later in the war) it was suited to the Pacific, North African, Balkan, Eastern Front, Italian & Mediterranean, and virtually everywhere else. Not bad for a "budget" export fighter. Most air forces generally like it, until something better (years newer in design) was actually available

[@Nachtsider]

The AVG never fought Zeroes. The only Japanese fighters they encountered and fought were inferior Japanese Army Air Force machines, mostly Ki-43 Hayabusas. Had they engaged Zeroes over China, they may not have enjoyed anywhere near as outstanding a kill-loss ratio as they did.

[@jimbo6413]

@@Nachtsider Point taken, however the Ki-43 was not an "inferior" fighter and may be regarded as a "Zero lite" given that it possessed the same flight characteristics and "look" as the Zero minus the 20mm cannons. Moreover, the Oscar was literally some 800 pounds lighter than the Zero itself, making it an even more maneuverable aircraft (in fact, one of the most maneuverable fighters of the Second World War, period). Yet the P-40 performed superbly against the Oscar while being flown by the AVG and performed just as superbly against the Zero itself during the early South Pacific battles, particularly over New Guinea. "Fire in the Sky" written by Eric Bergerud provides a comprehensive breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of Allied and Japanese airframes during the 1942 through mid 1943 era (as well as the pilots themselves) and describes how the P-40, when flown correctly, could maximize its performance against any Japanese contemporary and prevail. The advantage the P-40 possessed was fleeting of course; every turn and every climb bleeds off speed and for the P-40 speed was life. If a P-40 pilot fell into a turning battle with a Zero (or Oscar for that matter) he had one of two choices, either dive away or get shot down, simple as that. Bottom line though, if flown right, the P-40 was not inferior to any Japanese type and could fight on very even terms (which many Japanese pilots, both Army and Navy, discovered to their chagrin).

[@Nachtsider]

@@jimbo6413 I've read Bergerud. Found him to be sloppy in places and also biased, particularly with regards to covering the Japanese side of the conflict. Authors with credentials nowhere near as impressive as his have been able to locate and interview Japanese veterans, while he lazily cites 'formidable linguistic and other difficulties' to excuse his own inability. Much prefer Sam Tagaya, Henry Sakaida, Pete Ingman, Mike Claringbould and Mark Stille.

[@jimbo6413]

@@Nachtsider Interesting you should mention Henry Sakaida because Bergerud consulted extensively with him while writing "Fire in the Sky," so perhaps he's not quite as biased as you seem to believe (or maybe you're just convinced the P-40 was some hunk of junk, which is a historical fallacy, but anyway...).

[@RoaroftheTiger]

(continued) On December 20, 1941- "the Tigers" scored their 1st aerial Victory. It was over Rangoon. The Pilot was Ed Rector, a former Naval Aviator. Rector would later rise to the rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force. Regarding the Two P-40 shown, in your video - One was flown by R.T. Smith; who later served on the Burma Operations , with the U.S.A.A.F. - " 1st Air Commando Squadron". I'm lucky to have a Letter of Correspondence, from Him. The Other plane was flown by Charles Older. He was a Marine, when He signed-on the to the AVG. After the War, He pursued a legal career. Strangely enough, He was the presiding Judge in the Charles Mason Murder Trial !

[@garymickus6412]

You’re a pretty good historian your self!

[@RoaroftheTiger]

@@garymickus6412 - Thanks, Gary. Your very kind.

[@StevenKeery]

Do you mean Charles Manson, the murderer of Sharon Tate?

[@RoaroftheTiger]

@@StevenKeery Yes Sir.

[@curtismes]

THANK YOU Mark!!!...my grandfather Cpt Edgar Gibson was a munitions officer under Chennault in Kunming 44-45...untold stories deserve to be told...the CBI theatre is understudied.

[@soulesslemming]

I learned of the flying tigers because of the show the black sheep squadron and my interest in Pappy Boyington.

[@mikloridden8276]

Loved that show, got me into aviation

[@soulesslemming]

Got my brother and I interested in military service and we both joined the marine corps . I grew up wanting to be a wildcat pilot lol

[@DrJones20]

I'm glad there are comments about the video, not just about the uploader this time.

[@DaveSCameron]

Edward Thomas book, Bushido Knights, is a must read for anyone serious about the Pacific War *

[@LightningWing11]

The shark teeth emblazoned on the front of those P-40 Warhawks never ceased to enamor me as a kid. Thanks for the video, Mark.

[@messmeister92]

If anyone likes a good read, one of the Flying Tigers (Robert Scott) wrote a book about his experiences called “God is My Co-Pilot.” The book was published in 1943 and became a movie in 1945.

[@lablackzed]

Read it 👍

[@Alaninbroomfield]

I met one back in 1997, just outside Ludington, MI. I recognized his hat. I thanked him for his service.

[@fryy81]

that dogfight action is unreal. youre a treasure, dr. felton.

[@troymilks7342]

There was a gentleman in the town I live in who wore a hat with AVG on it. The first time I bumped into him, I asked if it stood for the American Volunteer Group. Boy, did his face light up, that someone knew about them and what they did. And knew there was a difference between AVG, and Flying Tigers. He was part of the ground crew or support element (I cannot recall exactly). Oh, to have been able to have sat and listen to him for hours.... never pass on that opportunity if presented to you. I should have offered to buy him coffee or lunch...

[@jeffd1962]

Great video Mark. Didn’t realize that the AVG didn’t start the fight until after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Learn something new every day. Keep up the great work and thanks!

[@scottyb68]

I know that the P40 was already a design in decline by December 1941 but it's always been my favorite fighter of the era. If I could own a old warbird that's the one.

[@khahinmetameta7826]

The AVG were the really bright point in 41 and 42 when Japan stormed Asia from China to Burma to back again the P40 B/C outdid the KI 27 and 43, it was used to make a point why the buffalo wasn't up to the task.

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

But the Finns managed to make Buffalo work though

[@matthewlok3020]

Credit to Chennault for knowing his own and his adversaries

[@Nachtsider]

@@aslamnurfikri7640 The Finns' Buffaloes were not stock Buffaloes. They were modified after purchase.

[@brownpcsuncedu]

​@@aslamnurfikri7640 Not against the Japanese and their Oscars. Fighting the Soviets was a different problem (different weather, different enemy with different tactics and different organizational weaknesses, different logistics, different morale factors, you get the point). The Finns (to their credit) did indeed figure out how to make the Buffalos work well in *their* war. But it's simply unknowable how the Finns and their Buffalos would have fared against the Japanese. We *do* know that several different countries tried using the Buffalo against the Japanese, and they all got slaughtered doing it. Could the Finns have done better? Maybe. I sure wouldn't bet the farm on it, though.

[@diggingattycho7908]

My grandfather was in the 74Th squadron, Kunming, China. He signed on to AAC in September 1942. After serving in the RAF. Sadly I never meet him, he died before I was born. But I know a lot about what he did, from his photo albums, a few letters, and most important flight logs. His name was Forest Cox. I can tell you the Blood Chit's were individual, at least my grandfather's had his name on it in Chinese.

[@unclewerner]

That's an interesting story. I was also wondering frequently about the details about the volunteers that helped the Spanish king in the Spanish civil war. All to often their story is mixed with Legion condor, which came later. Its interesting to see how private initiatives changed the war in both cases.

[@Seriona1]

Well unfortunately, all the Americans who helped the Republicans were seen as possible Communist so the FBI advised the US military that if any of them fought in Spain were in the military during WWII, that they should not be promoted to any kind of officer position. I think a couple of pilots got rejected for the Tigers because of this too.

[@barreloffun10]

Nobody helped the Spanish King during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) because the king, Alfonso XIII, fled Spain in April 1931 without bothering to abdicate. The Spanish Republic was then proclaimed. The International Brigades were volunteer military forces set up by the Communists to support the leftist Republicans against the rightist Nationalists in the Civil War.

[@scriptsmith4081]

@@Seriona1 Some Still Live, by Frank Tinker who became an ace flying for the Republican Escuadrilla La Calle is an absolute must read in this regard. Back in the U.S. he was making plans to join the AVG when he was supposedly found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot, but the picture of the man in the book makes this seem most unlikely.

[@unclewerner]

@@Seriona1 I wasn't talking about the Soviet Republicans. For instance I read that latest research had shown that IG Farben sponsored the first guns arriving for the Nationalists. And I also heard that the first airlift from Morocco was sponsored by a German company, too. Of course the German government later got fully into supporting the effort, but there was already an international crowd flying interesting machines by that time. Like for the He 112 prototypes. And Heinkel for sure was not in line with the Nationalist government in Germany. Maybe I'm misinformed, but I was always wondering how much private money was in there initially and how early it actually started.

[@Seriona1]

@@unclewerner The Republicans are the currently legal government of Spain. The King was removed but the assumption would be the legal government.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

One Pilot was Bert Christman, he had been a cartoonist before joining the Navy and then the AVG. He personalised the aircraft of Panda Bear Squadron and was killed in 1942.

[@thomasb1889]

Chennault's genius was to realize that the P-40 had to fight to its strength in the dive and to use boom & zoom tactics with amazing effect.

[@SlyBlu7]

The noses and front end were also more heavily armored than the Zero, so if boom & zoom didn't work, the pilots could risk a head-to-head and usually come out better off than the Japanese.

[@thomasb1889]

@@SlyBlu7 The KI 43 while proposed for the contract that the Zero got but was accepted for production by the Japanese army only had two HMG's so it was always at a disadvantage against US fighters in a head on attack.

[@erichotz]

A large number of American and British servicemen stayed at my family's hotel in Agra/Dehli, India during the war. The Flying Tiger pilot, Donald Lopez, in his book, "Into the Teeth of the Tiger", describes staying at our hotel when he wrote about the swimming pool. Our hotel was the only hotel with a swimming pool. My father was only 17 at the time and probably walked past Mr. Lopez in the summer of 1943 several times. I spoke to my father about it and all he remembered was there were a large number of officers at the Hotel with many being from the American and British airforces. The Hotel's real name was the Laurentian Hotel, not the Delhi Hotel as Mr. Lopez remembered it. Mr. Lopez states it had red carpets and a swimming pool, which my father stated, "Yes, that was our hotel".

[@Blowcrafter]

This is just such great content. One thing I'd love to hear about from Mark some day is something about the allied conquer of the waffenschmiede of the reich, the ruhr area

[@patbecker333]

I love this history channel! Very informative stuff you don’t get in history class in high school.. well not in depth….. Thank you Mr. Felton

[@Jostipi]

Used to read comics about these guys when I was a kid back in the 90's/early 0's. Tried finding them one the internet a while back since when I was a kid Is always got them from my local library. Sadly, they are hard to come by nowadays...

[@michaelkaczmarski2938]

@Mike Cavallaro In 1945, Robert Prescott formed Flying Tiger Line, headquartered on the grounds of Los Angeles International Airport. The company included 10 former pilots of the AVG Flying Tigers. The company ferried US troops and cargo during the Cold War era, Included during the Korean and Vietnam wars. During the 60s, when my father was stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan, I would see their planes routinely land several times a week. Their planes were easy to spot because they had a huge tiger head painted on the upright tail section. The Flying Tiger Line was sold to Federal Express in 1988, and was totally merged within the following year. My father also did not pronounce Chennault's name the French way, even though he was married to a French Canadian! He pronounced it Sheh-nawlt, as did I and some of my friends.

[@Aureus_]

You always further my knowledge Dr felton Thank you kind sir

[@mopardoctor9966]

My Dad served in China in the 14th AAF, 51st Fighter Group, 26th Fighter Squadron as a staff sergeant. He was stationed from July 1944 to the end of the war in Kunming China.

[@johnbeauvais3159]

The book “When Tigers Ruled the Skies” by Bill Yenne is fantastic and I recommend it to everyone. It does an excellent job of bringing these pilots and other exceptional characters to life.

[@Thincastle]

During WWII, my father befriended Ed Rector, a Flying Tiger Ace. My father was a hump pilot and CO of Shamshernagar airfield in India (now Bangledesh). Like the Flying Tiger pilots, Hump pilots also wore Blood Chits, though they were rarely needed as the fatality rate was appalling. Col Rector, as I called him, frequently visited my parents (often with a new and beautiful girlfriend - he never married) until he was too old to travel. He died in 2001. My father died 4 years later. The stories they told were fascinating.

[@QUADFLY]

Dr Felton at his best once again

[@janetchennault4385]

One of the things that this excellent video does not go into was that Chennault (along with Rommel, whom he respected) was one of the best strategic and tactical geniuses of WWII. The tactical insight was pairing the few strengths of the P-40 against the few weaknesses of the Zero, to the great advantage of the former. The strategic innovation was to use the new walkie-talkies, combined with telegraph, Morse code on mirrors, bicyclists - and any other available resources - to pass information about the incoming Japanese to the Tiger bases well before the arrival of the actual Japanese forces.

[@korbell1089]

I watched a video that stated the Chinese were so apreciative of what the AVG did that every small village has a private museum dedicated to them even now.

[@NisWeihrauch]

This Mark Felton Production reminds me of the "Biafra Babies", an air force set up in Biafra in 1969 by the Swedish Count Carl-Gustav von Rosen. Up to 19 MFI-9 aircraft, each armed with 12 armour-piercing 68 mm "Matra" rockets inflicted heavy losses on the Nigeria Air Force bases and other important targets.

[@tkc1129]

73 victories in a single month? Damn, that sounds pretty good. They may have been ground down quickly, but their success rate seems good to me, especially considering they were outnumbered.

[@travis_thompson]

The AVG were paid $400 US per kill so you can bet the claimed alot, proving those kills on the other hand...

[@tkc1129]

@@travis_thompson Well I will choose to believe the numbers, because I have no specific reason not to.

[@travis_thompson]

@@tkc1129 it's well known that the AVG brought kills off British pilots and shared the bounty.

[@travis_thompson]

BTW that's not denigrating the flying tigers, but both them and the Japanese claimed more kills than both sides had in their inventory.

[@jerrycallison6125]

The AVG also flew a plane that was semi-obsolete and vastly inferior to the Zero. The only reason the Chinese were able to buy them was the Brits refused them after trying some. The thing that made the AVG successful with them was the training Chenault gave and the change in tactics from what was taught by the Army Air Corps. Chenault, much like Billy Martin, had made a lot of enemies in the establishment of the US military due to his disbelief in the status quo when it came to tactics. He basically threw the book away and brought thinking from WWI tactics into the type of tactics needed for more modern weaponry. The Japanese, on the other hand, did not adapt as things changed, and Chenault took advantage of it.

[@wrightflyer7855]

My late Army father (and therefore our family) was stationed in Taiwan from the summer of 1959 to the summer of 1961, the 5th and 6th grades for me. A short walk from our house lived another American officer who had flown with the AVG and gave me a set of his wings he'd worn while serving in China. I still have them and am in the process of researching his identity and USAAF history. He's probably gone by now and may never have known how much his gift still means to me. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).

[@HarborLockRoad]

When i was in high school, our guidance counselor, mr. Zarkowski brought in his old flight suit, he was a transport pilot that flew the hump. Idk how many other kids understood, but i did, being an avid history buff.

[@bobsagget823]

ok boomer

[@whatsreal7506]

Well done... There are so many "legends" about how the name "flying tigers" came about...

[@TJ3]

Good stuff man! Just did a video myself on them recently. Truly some of America's most amazing heroes!

[@trevillyan5515]

My father's good friend "Bud" Guttman was a Flying Tiger from day 1 in Burma. I remember my dad telling me how when the Tigers were pulling out of Burma, almost all of the aircraft were either too damaged from combat or not running because of the lack of parts available in Burma for the P40's. The Chinese supposedly sent over 5000 laborers to dig 2 massive trenches on each side of the runway and the remaining aircraft were pushed in and buried to avoid capture by the Japanese. Pretty crazy stuff.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

The American private militia are often woefully misunderstood, and misrepresented in historical accounts despite having a 400 year tradition. The Flying Tigers of WW2 weren't the first or only militia air force. They were preceded by the Lafayette Escadrille of WW1, and then followed by Air America in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Today, America enjoys perhaps the largest air militia with the military contracting of the Red Team Air Force, a private militia numbering more than 120 fighter jet aircraft to act as opposing forces (OPFOR) flying against the US Navy, US Air Force, and Air National Guard.

[@HootOwl513]

Air America was a CIA cover operation.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

@@HootOwl513 - Sure was! And yet...still flown by private militia members. Oh, don't get me wrong. Militia have been called many things throughout the years. My personal favorite was US Volunteers, complete with USV insignia. Teddy Roosevelt wore that same insignia when he served with the Rough Riders militia group during the Spanish-American War. I was a bit surprised and pleased when I saw the USV insignia make a comeback in Iraq where I served in a private American militia as a military advisor to the Iraqi Infantry. That was also funded through US DOD and approved by the US DOS. The point I'm making here is that it doesn't matter which agency funded the private American militia to go overseas and fight in foreign wars. It's still history. And most of it has been a remarkably proud service...if also commonly overlooked. How many Americans today realize that more private militia contractors have died in service in Afghanistan than US military personnel? While almost 2,500 US military men and women have been killed in that 20-year conflict, some 3,900 US contractors have been killed in Afghanistan.

[@ComiCBoY000]

My Grandfather was with the flying tigers back during WW2. Unfortunately he passed before I was born and he rarely talked much about his experiences to my dad. Also my dad lost my grandfathers jacket back when he was 8 or so. All we have now are a few pictues and a couple of the stories he did tell but even the few we know are wild.

[@mitchellreid8534]

Always a pleasure when you put out a video Mark. Thank you for this channel.

[@jaypeterson7637]

In the late '60's our family moved to Minnesota and found out after a couple of years, our next door neighbor was an original Flying Tiger. He was a rough, gruff, no nonsense man. He scared me just being around him!