The Forgotten Squadron

The men of the 449th Fighter Squadron called themselves the “forgotten squadron.” Despite serving to great effect as the only P-38 fighter squadron with the Flying Tigers in China, the 449th received little press or praise during or after the war. Ironically, the unit participated in the 14th Air Force’s greatest missions, including the daring Thanksgiving Day raid on Taiwan, “accidentally” shooting down one of the top-ranking Japanese generals in China, and even supporting Ho Chi Minh against the Japanese in Indochina. Having spread its wings from Taiwan to the Salween Front, the 449th is the perfect case study to investigate Major General Claire Lee Chennault’s air war over China in World War II.