[Graham Boak]

It isn't at all difficult to believe that some of them (maybe all) felt their support for China would act as support for their own country: it must be remembered that there was a considerable sentimental linkage between China and America because of a considerable effort placed on Christianising China by American missionaries over several decades before WW2.

However, this does not deny the fact that they were, by definition, mercenaries. They have travelled to a foreign country in order to kill other foreigners for money. Not the action of a "soft" person. Nor can it be denied that several of them were, by any meaningful definition of the term, "hard-bitten". Some of them were (ex-)marines, let's not forget, hardly renowned for their softness. Not that any professional soldiers can generally be so described.

As for none ever flying as mercenaries elsewhere - wasn't Ajax Baumler in the AVG? (or was he only in China later?). He flew on the Republican side in Spain. I'm not sure, from memory, that he was the only Spanish veteran in China, but I admit being open to correction there. (As elsewhere, of course, but certainly there!)

None of this reduces the AVG's real achievements, but as has been proven worldwide, official confirmation of a kill has little to do with accuracy.