I have been informed that the Chinese Government has hired 100 pilots and 181 ground personnel to man and service 100 P-40's. In the next few months we are delivering to China 269 pursuit planes and 66 bombers. The Chinese pilot training program here will not begin to turn out well-trained pilots until next summer. In the interim, therefore, I think we should facilitate the hiring by the Chinese Government further volunteer pilots here. I suggest, therefore, that beginning in January, you should accept the resignations of additional pilots and ground personnel as care to accept employment in China, up to a limit of 100 pilots and a proportional number of ground personnel. I am directing Mr.Lauchlin Currie to see that representatives of China carry out the hiring program with the minimum of inconvenience to the Navy and also to see that no more are hired than are necessary.
Six days before the outbreak of war, the AVG had 82 pilots and 79 planes, but not all of them were ready to fight. Some pilots had not yet checked out in the Tomahawk--and some never would. And some of the planes were out of commission or lacking radios and guns.
Republic P-43 Lancer in Chinese service Thanks to Richard Dunn, we have a long article (or short book) on the Republic P-43 Lancer, 108 of which were Lend-Leased to China as part of the "Special Air Unit" that Roosevelt authorized in the winter of 1940-1941. Originally intended to equip the 3rd American Volunteer Group, the planes were instead transferred directly to the Chinese Air Force. (The 1st AVG bcame famous as the Flying Tigers. The 2nd AVG, a bomber group, was ready to go when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The 3rd AVG was to have been a fighter group, recruited early in 1942.) http://www.warbirdforum.com/richdunn.htm
>そして再度繰り返すがAVGが戦闘加入したのは開戦後の話だ。 >The first combat for the A.V.G. occurred over southern Yunnan Province on December 20, 1941. >http://www.flyingtigersavg.com/tiger1.htm
In telling the A.V.G. story to pilots who may think of volunteering, nothing should be omitted. Far from merely defending the Burma road against unaccompanied Japanese bombers, the A.V.G. will be called upon to combat Japanese pursuits; to fly at night; and to undertake offensive missions when planes suitable for this purpose are sent out to us. These points should be clearly explained.
USSR sent to China during 1937..1941: 1250 planes, incl. 216 I-16 types 5, 6 and 10 ("Swallow"); six TB-3; 213 I-15 and I-15bis; R-5; SB-2; DB-3A; UTI-4, UT-1 82 tanks (T-26 and BT-5) arm.cars (BA-3, BA-6, BA-10, BA-20) 1850 trucks and tracktors 50mm mortars 1600 guns, incl. 76mm field and flak guns 14000 MGs rifles; fuel and oil; ammo; medical stuff; spare parts http://wio.ru/spain/china-a.htm
The conclusion seems inescapable that the members of the Flying Tigers were civilian contractor employees. Though "volunteers" they were not responsible to any commander in the Chinese Air Force. As such, when they engaged in combatant activities they did so contrary to international law. They were not entitled to prisoner of war status if captured and any acts of death or destruction committed by them could properly be considered criminal acts. http://www.warbirdforum.com/legal2.htm
The "First American Volunteer Group" was constituted effective 1 August 1941 under an order of the Chinese government signed by Chaing Kai-Shek. According to the order "Col. Chennault will organize this group with the American Volunteers now arriving in China to participate in the War." Although the group was organized after negotiations with the Chinese Commission on Aeronautical Affairs, once in operation the group was not subject to the authority of the Commission. In 1941 military aviation in China was divided between the Commission on Aeronautical Affairs and the Chinese Air Force. Both reported to the Commission on Military Affairs of which Chaing Kai-Shek was the chairman. In his capacity as commander of the AVG Chennault also reported directly to Chaing. The AVG received support from the Chinese Air Force but the relationship was one of coordination rather than command. The AVG was not within the chain of command of the Chinese Air Force and in this sense "American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force" is something of a misnomer. http://www.warbirdforum.com/legal.htm
The bulk of the Americans serving in the AVG came primarily from two sources, former enlisted men in U.S. service that had been released from their enlistments and reserve officers that had resigned their commissions. Most of the pilots were in the latter category. There were some exceptions. One pilot was a former Marine Corps regular officer who had resigned (Boyington) and another pilot was a former navy non-commissioned officer (Hoffman). Staff officers and some of the ground personnel came from a variety of sources. All became employees of the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company - Federal, Inc. (CAMCO). Each signed an employment contract that specified their salaries and benefits. The contract was something of a charade in that it did not mention the real purpose of their employment nor did it state that CAMCO was acting as an agent for the Chinese government. However, the contract was the formality for membership in the AVG and the employment relationship it established was the basis for "control" over AVG personnel. At the time of their service in the AVG none of the personnel were members of either the U.S. or Chinese military and they were subject to neither the rules of discipline nor court-martial jurisdiction of those services. Despite this the AVG resembled a military organization and from time to time there were threats courts-martial and "dishonorable discharges." Appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, the Flying Tigers were civilian contractors. http://www.warbirdforum.com/legal.htm
During the summer of 1941 FDR agreed to allow a select group of American fighter pilots to travel to China and fight the Imperial Japanese. This group was to become the famed American Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers. As the Flying Tigers were preparing to depart for China, FDR allowed the formation of a second AVG. This AVG was destined for the Soviet Union. Since America was still neutral in the war, both AVG’s were formed under a cloud of secrecy. The Central Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (CAMCO) was used as a front for the recruitment and aircraft procurement operations. AVG pilots were listed as civilian employees of CAMCO and paid a reward of $500 for every enemy plane shot down. The funds were funneled to CAMCO by the Chinese and Soviet governments and CAMCO distributed the money through their payroll. http://www.777avg.com/unithistory/