HC History Undercover - The Real Flying Tigers (1999)

They were the terror of the sky, a small band of American mercenaries who soared into battle against the Japanese in defense of China's freedom. In 1941, with the U.S. government's tacit approval, retired Army Air Force Captain Claire L. Chennault, then a colonel in China's Air Force, formed the mercenary American Volunteer Group to fight Japan. Later dubbed Flying Tigers, these brave pilots set records yet to be equaled in the annals of aerial history. Against all odds, these true war heroes exceeded the limits of aerial warfare. Living on the edge, on a starvation diet, outnumbered and under-equipped, the Flying Tigers turned adversity into incredible success. With only 29 P-40's, The Flying Tigers shot down 296 confirmed enemy planes and 300 more probables. The AVG also destroyed 573 bridges, 1,300 riverboats and innumerable road vehicles and killed thousands of Imperial Japanese army soldiers. Their combat success has yet to be equaled to this day! Through rare footage of the legendary pilots and their rugged P-40 Warhawks in action as well as interviews with surviving Flying Tiger members, this program examines the often overlooked exploits of the American Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers, who - under the command of Gen. Claire Lee Chennault - aided the Chinese in their fight against the Japanese prior to America's entry into World War II. This is their story.

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