‘Flying Tigers’ Begin Combat Operations over China

Led by Claire L. Chennault and flying old shark-mouthed P-40 fighters, the American Volunteer Group—the legendary ‘Flying Tigers”—begins combat operations over China against the Japanese invaders. Before they are integrated into the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 4, 1942, the Flying Tigers shoot down 300 Japanese aircraft, while losing 50 of their own airplanes and nine pilots.