Russell Whelan (–1946)

The story of that amazing volunteer group of pilots who went to China to fly under Claire Chennault. Chennault had retired from the Army Air Corps in '37; he went to China, but got no men until the crisis over the Burma Road brought things to a head. By the end of 1941 he had 80 pilots, a ground crew of 132, and the best available aircraft. Here is the record of seven months relentless action, of hardship and heroism which gave them a score of 800 planes to their 55, of 1500 Japs to their loss of 8 pilots.
Appendixes listing: A. V. G killed in action; killed in accidents; missing in action; members of Headquarters American Volunteer Group (Staff Officers, Pilots, and Ground Personnel) , showing duty assignments. WAR. Here's the true, inside story of how a handful of American fliers took on the whole Imperial Japanese Air Force. The incredible results: This is their story - the record of their dangerous dogfights and ferocious air war in the skies over China, the incredible events that enabled them to turn a hopeless situation into a great victory, holding the Burma Road open after it had been given up for lost.… (more)