Haven’t you wondered what drove American volunteers to fight alongside China against Fascism? The Guilin Flying Tigers Heritage Park stands in memory of these brave souls. It honors the Flying Tigers. They sacrificed themselves to help the Chinese people during the Sino-Japanese War. Descendants and friends of these volunteers come here to remember their predecessors.
In June 1942, Claire Lee Chennault led the American volunteer group. They were known as the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers arrived in Guilin. They were there to guard the vital Hump Air Route. This route connected southwest China and South Asia. It transported Chinese expeditionary forces and Indian strategic materials.
Interestingly, the volunteers came from American retired and reserve air forces. Since they didn’t know Chinese, each had a cloth. The cloth was embroidered with 16 Chinese characters. These characters meant: “We are American volunteers coming to help you fight against the enemy.” They sewed these cloths on their chests or backs. Locals helped them when they showed the cloth. People considered the cloth to be their amulets.
Under Chennault’s command, the Flying Tigers achieved great victories in two years. They destroyed 2,600 enemy aircraft and 45 warships. More than 67,000 enemies were killed.
The park features several attractions. The Flying Tigers Memorial Hall shows the history of the troop. The Monument to Flying Tigers honors the fallen. The Command Post Site of Flying Tigers was where Chennault commanded the troop. There is even a Spaceflight Experiencing House for visitors.
The Command Post Site is a cave on Jigong Mountain’s hillside. Wu Daochun, a famous calligrapher, inscribed ‘Command Post Site of Flying Tigers’ above the entrance. Chennault’s wife’s words are on a stone beneath it. Chennault directed battles from this cave. Inside, inscriptions tell the Flying Tigers’ history in Guilin.
Modeled after the Flying Tigers’ P-40 warplane, the Flying Tigers Memorial Hall is impressive. The American Flying Tiger Historical Organization donated over 300 historical relics. A circular embossment depicts scenes. These scenes include the Flying Tigers’ arrival in Guilin. They also show Chennault commanding and locals repairing Yangyang Airport.
On March 25th, 2017, the American Flying Tiger Historical Organization donated a C-47 airplane to Guilin Flying Tigers Heritage Park. It was the last C-47 with flying ability in the world. This plane greatly helped the anti-Fascist war.
Five pilots flew it from Australia in August 2016. Their average age was 71.8 years. They flew through Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Burma. The flight lasted over three months. They covered about 11,062 km. It was the first time a C-47 flew along the Hump Air Route since World War II. The park stores this C-47 as a symbol of China-U.S. friendship.
The Guilin Flying Tigers Heritage Park serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made. It also shows the enduring friendship between China and the United States. The park preserves the memory of those who fought for freedom. It ensures their stories live on for future generations. The Flying Tigers’ legacy of courage will never be forgotten.