December 1941
Flying Tigers: Defenders of Rangoon
In December 1941, the "Flying Tigers" arrived at Mingaladon to defend Rangoon from the Japanese. Though outnumbered, the Flying Tigers managed to down 50 enemy planes over Rangoon (losing 10 of their own).
The 1st American Volunteer Group, also known as the "Flying Tigers", were United States airmen authorized by President Roosevelt to support China and protect the Burma Road. As the US was not yet at war with Tokyo, this was a clandestine operation. The Flying Tigers were under the command of retired General Claire Chennault and ultimately, at least in theory Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek.
There were three squadrons of the Flying Tigers. The squadron at Mingaladon was the 3rd Squadron, known as the Hell's Angels. Its airmen were drawn from the US army, navy, and marines. In the evenings, many - including their senior officer "Scarsdale Jack" Newkirk could be found at their favourite watering hole, the Silver Grill on Barr Street.
The British were not prepared for the Japanese bombing of Rangoon in December 1941 or for the land invasion that followed. Much of the limited air defence was was provided by the Flying Tigers. This was at the height of Axis power, with the two-million men of Germany's Army Group Centre approaching Moscow and a mighty Japanese fleet of 33 warships including six aircraft carriers, heading to Pearl Harbour. Few expected Burma to be drawn into the fighting. But the war would soon destroy the country. Burma/Myanmar has not known a single year of peace (with the possible exception of 1946) since November 1941.