Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2023-11-04
KUNMING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Harry Moyer, a 103-year-old U.S. veteran, usually playful and humorous, burst into tears as he sang the song "Auld Lang Syne" with teachers and students at a school in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province.
"It's one of the best things that have happened to me on this trip," said Moyer, wearing a hat embroidered with the pattern of the "Flying Tigers."
From Thursday to Friday, an over 30-member delegation of the Flying Tigers veterans and their descendants visited Kunming, the starting point of "the Hump," a vital airlift route over the Himalayas and the primary way the Allies supplied China between 1942 and 1945 in World War II.
On Friday, they went to the Kunming Foreign Language School, which commemorates "the Hump" route. They watched a musical play showing the Flying Tigers' adventure to open "the Hump" route. Over eight decades of memories came flooding back to Moyer during the play.
In 1941, Moyer was still a sophomore when the U.S. government recruited pilots, and he did not hesitate to sign up. He was then deployed to the Mediterranean theater to fly a P-40 fighter.
After he completed his mission in 1944, he had a choice, whether to go home or to go to China.
"I chose to go to China because I wanted to fight for China," he recalled, adding that he has always believed it was the right choice.
The Flying Tigers spirit is an example of how the United States and China can overcome great challenges together, Moyer said, adding that only when people meet and communicate more can they understand each other and avoid misunderstandings.
Moyer and the students together planted a cypress next to the monument named "the everlasting spirit of 'the Hump,'" wishing that the tree and the friendship between the United States and China become stronger.
"When we sang the friendship song in different languages, I knew this friendship transcends national boundaries," said Sarah Moyer, granddaughter of Harry Moyer, adding she will pass on this friendship.
Photo Gallery: The Flying Tigers
By Flying Staff
By Flying Staff
December 20, 2021
The American Volunteer Group’s 3d Pursuit Squadron, “Hell’s Angels.” The AVG had three squadrons, this one named after a movie about WWI flying. Note that many of their hats are Chinese. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.]
On December 20, 1941, a bunch of volunteer American mercenary pilots faced a squad of Japanese bombers to protect China.
The American Volunteer Group (AVG)—better known as the “Flying Tigers”—would go on to down nine out of 10 Japanese bombers in the first of many air battles in a seven-month campaign that helped keep Japan from expanding into China.READ MORE: 80 Years Later, The Flying Tigers Still Endure
Here’s a photographical look back at that amazing group.
The American Volunteer Group’s 3d Pursuit Squadron, “Hell’s Angels.” The AVG had three squadrons, this one named after a movie about WWI flying. Note that many of their hats are Chinese. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.]
On December 20, 1941, a bunch of volunteer American mercenary pilots faced a squad of Japanese bombers to protect China.
The American Volunteer Group (AVG)—better known as the “Flying Tigers”—would go on to down nine out of 10 Japanese bombers in the first of many air battles in a seven-month campaign that helped keep Japan from expanding into China.READ MORE: 80 Years Later, The Flying Tigers Still Endure
Here’s a photographical look back at that amazing group.
The American Volunteer Group flew the Curtiss P-40. It was heavy, sturdy, well-armored, and had self-sealing fuel tanks. Its superior diving speed figured in AVG tactics of attacking from altitude, breaking off, and regaining altitude. The P-40 was not suited to close-turning dogfights with light, nimble Japanese Zero fighters. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.]
American maintainers work on an AVG P-40 while a Chinese soldier stands guard. Images like this showed cooperation and common goals. Maintenance was a challenge, as spare parts were scarce, the aircraft were constantly in combat, and the group had fewer technicians than it needed. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.]
Armorers work on a 3d Pursuit Squadron P-40B’s guns. The P-40B was well-armed with two .50-caliber and four .30-caliber guns. This punch made the AVG’s diving attacks against comparatively light Japanese aircraft effective. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]
Captain Claire Chennault at the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Montgomery, AL, in 1932. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]
Claire Chennault (far right) with Chinese head of state Chiang Kai-shek and Madame Chiang. Chennault dealt directly with national leaders on war-fighting policy. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]
Primitive maintenance was the rule for the American Volunteer Group. Here, a Chinese crew works on a P-40 fighter. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]
Major General Chennault. Note the Chinese wings over his right pocket, along with his USAAF Command Pilot’s wings. [Courtesy: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]
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