Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-05
The FTuinN TTNe1S Shark Mouths Planes .DaDs

the mighty air power OF Imperial
Japan Well. Chennault. now had
so pilots, backed by a ground
force Of 1872 mechanics and ar
morers. There had been three
deaths, and some designations, Ill.
ness and firings). For lack OF
spare equipment only 50 Toma-
hawks could take the air at the
same time.
Thus the full fighting strength
OF the AVG in December. 194l. on
the brink of the great adventure:
with outmoded pursuit planes; no
bombs, no bombers; and not
nough ammunition for five
straight minutes of air fighting.
GUARD 1900 MILES
Even Leonidas az Thermopylae
had 800 men 10 protect a narrow
pass. Chennaults tiny force had
7 10 guard a transportation system
nearly 1900 miles long against
one OF the strongest air forces in
the world.
But the Tigers were ready, will
ing and impatient
The first and second squadronS
took off in their planes from Toun-
goo for Running on the afternoon
of December 1S, over the worst
flying country they had ever seen,
a country OF jungle, mountain,
swamp and gorge,
They had heard glad tidings OF
their new base at Running, the
capital of the Chinese province of
IYunnan and northern terminus OF
+ the Burma road.
NEW AIRDRONIE
Running. perched on the great
plateau OF Yunnan, 5000 feet
above sea level, was cool, 1t was
new. and il was China.
Awaiting them was a new air
drome and two good modern hos
tells, replete with shower baths,
library, hospital service. tennis
courts, and baseball field, pistol
range, and Chinese cooks reputed
10 be expert in the technique OF
American ham and eggs.
But their first experience In
Running was saddening. The Japs
mad been there before they ar
rived. Parts of this city of 100000
souls were a smoking shambleS.
In the dusty litter OF the streets
they saw worse sights than ruined
homes. worse sights even than the
sorrow OF the bereaved. the agony
Of the wounded, and the bodies OF
the still unburied dead.
For il is the grisly fancy OF eX-
ploding bombs TO strike legs and
hands and heads from human
bodies. and these rnementoes OF
the bombing were visible in many
places. Thus the Tigers had their
introduction 10 the horror OF war.
INFURIATES THEM
The Chinese of Running went
quietly and calmly about the task
of restoring some sort of order to
their blasted city.
To them il was an old story
accepted and stored in bitter
memory against the future.
But 10 the men OF the AVG II
was astounding and infuriating,
Every last one of them was glad
then. that he had come to do
something about such evils as this.
The next day was December 10.
The First Squadron under Robert
J. Sandell of San Antonio, Tex,
was in the ready" shack a half.
hour before dawn, eager to re-
venge Running If they had
needed any spur 10 action, they
had it now. But the Japs did not
come back.
DAWN PATROL
Sandel and five others Of the
Adam and Ewes made q dawn
patrol next day. December 20, but
the JapS stayed away. while the
morning dragged endlessly along.
The Second was also on the alert,
waiting. Nevertheless, something
was going to happen. they knew.
Something had 10 happen. They
felt it in the air. They pulled
hard and deem on their CigaretS