[rldunn]

There have been more than a few questions and assertions in this thread that probably deserve a serious essay or research paper.

Why would the Chinese pay $500 per victory if they were not accurate? Simple answer the kills were assessed by a board with the info available. They were not determined (as German advisors to the Chinese had suggested in the early 30's) by a/c wreckage found on the ground!!!. Kill assessment involved a process but one based on observation in the heat of combat and was essentially subjective. *** Now to get more into intrigue. First, Chiang wanted a strong air presence in China. Chiang did not necessarily (or specifically) want a strong ground army in China (i.e., a Chinese army with the latest western arms and tactics) because it might fall under the control of a rival and threaten his regime. He wanted air power and wanted to encourage the west to send him more. If the west (U.S.) thought air power in China was contributing to the anti-Axis effort they would be encouraged to do so. In 'Hump' air priorities debates Chiang always favored building up air power over equipping Y-Force, the Chinese force that might have contributed to the invasion of Burma. It was okay with Chiang to build up the Chinese Ramgar force which operated from India agianst Burma as that force was no political threat.

Many other points upon which to comment but I think I'll stop here as many folks seem to have a variety of opinions and have injected many extraneous subjects. For example, Allied strategic bomber losses (RAF BC and 8th AF) were not accurately reported in the contemporaneous press even though Hitler thought they were!!

RLD