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The 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) was a branch of the Army, Navy and Air Force seconded to the Chinese Air force during World War II. Although they only existed from 1941 to 1942, this group, known as the “Flying Tigers” made a lasting impression upon air combat during the war. The Flying Tigers were formed by President Franklin Roosevelt to help the Chinese against the superior air forces of the Japanese (Chennault, pp. 24) The idea for the group came largely from its first commander, retired U.S. Army Air Corps Colonel Claire Chennault. (Chennault, pp. 26) Col. Chennault was ...
