When China and US fought side by side: The legacy of the Flying Tigers, 85 years on

Over 2,900 Japanese aircraft destroyed. Forty-four naval vessels sunk. More than 66,000 enemy troops neutralized. These figures capture the toll of a wartime partnership when the American Volunteer Group fought alongside the Chinese during the toughest time of World War II.

The first American Volunteer Group, nicknamed "the Flying Tigers," was made up of a group of military pilots and ground crew recruited from the US, who joined the Chinese in the defense against the Japanese fascist aggressors from August 1941 to July 1942.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of their arrival in China.

Their mission at the time was dangerous but vital: to protect China's last lifeline after Japan cut the country off from ocean shipping and sealed off port access. The fragile back-door route over the eastern Himalayan mountains from India to China, known as "the Hump," became the last passage through which China received supplies of arms, food and medication, and delivered strategic materials to sustain the wartime economy in the southwest.

"The Hump" was hazardous at best and oftentimes deadly. With elevations ranging from 4,500 to 5,500 meters and peaks reaching 7,000 meters, violent turbulence, and the lack of modern navigation technology, the route claimed the lives of many pilots.

The extreme conditions led to severe casualties: over 600 US planes crashed on the route, killing more than 1,500 pilots and passengers. A veteran who participated in the material transportation over "the Hump" said, "On clear days, we could navigate by the reflections from the wreckage of our comrades' crashed planes. We named this valley, strewn with aircraft debris, 'Aluminum Valley.'"

However, the American soldiers did not waver in the face of such harsh conditions. The legendary flights delivered an estimated 776,532 tonnes by the end of the war, according to reports by an American historian.

"Helping Chinese people fight against the Japanese aggression during World War Ⅱ was the most glorious thing in my life,” said Jay Vinyard, a Flying Tiger veteran, when he recalled the tough journeys.

The valor of the Americans was returned with appreciation by the Chinese. Following the Doolittle Raid, a US air raid on Japanese cities in 1942, some American pilots crashed or made forced landings in parts of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui and Fujian provinces in China. Despite risks of retaliation by the Japanese, local Chinese rushed to the rescue of 64 American pilots, treated their wounds, and provided food and shelter, according to Heroic Mountains and Rivers: Quzhou's Promise in 1942.

In times of trial, people from the two countries came to each other's aid despite danger and threats. The Flying Tigers represented more than a military alliance. It embodies a bond that was solidified by the common pursuit of peace.

In July, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng paid tribute to the American service members who fought alongside the Chinese people during World War II. He said the Flying Tigers spirit – defined by a shared commitment to peace, solidarity in times of hardship, and enduring friendship – continues to resonate in the hearts of both Chinese and American people today.

"We want to see the bridge that was built continue to exist between Chinese and Americans," Josh Vinyard, the son of Jay Vinyard, said when he came to visit China for the commemoration of the Flying Tigers.

In July, China launched a global search plan for over 110 missing Flying Tigers personnel at the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall, marking the continual effort to honor their legacy.

Youth exchanges between the two countries were also held to carry the legacy forward. China invited hundreds of American students to visit 14 Chinese provinces, while Chinese students visited the United States for a youth leadership conference, tours of aviation museums, and other cultural exchange events.

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, said the West has yet to fully recognize China's contribution to the global resistance against fascism in WWII. He urged both sides to close this gap in understanding by cultivating avenues to learn and interact with each other, which will ultimately enable more extensive collaboration between the two countries in aviation and beyond.

As the world faces growing uncertainty and turbulence, the Flying Tigers spirit acts as a resounding reminder that stable and constructive relations between China and the US are not only beneficial for both countries but also a boon to the world.