|
Re: 1st Combat Mission of the AVG/Flying Tigers
The medium bombers intended for the 2nd American Volunteer Group never made it to Burma as they were enroute, loaded aboard ship, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The force was diverted to Australia and the airmen were re-inducted into the US Army Air Corps. These bombers would have permitted Chennault to carry out offensive operations against the Japanese and the a/c lined up in Bangkok to pre-empt their coming attacks on Rangoon.
The P-40Bs of the AVG were only capable of Pursuit/intercept missions. The P-40Es with bomb racks were not available until they were ferried in from Africa in spring '42.
Tripp
|