Ding Hao, America's Air War in China, 1937-1945
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
It was a foregone conclusion of credible American military minds cognizant of activities in the Middle East and Far East during World War II that the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) showed repeated intentions of expanding their territorial conquests in a converging direction from Germany to Japan, from the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa across Saudi Arabia, India, Burma, and coastal China. Such control of vital land and waterways rich in raw materials . . . would have led to the prolongation of World War II and even possibly altered its final result. The tenacity, resourcefulness, and tactical genius displayed in China by Claire Lee Chennault as expressed first, through his adventuresome American Volunteer Group (AVG) and later, through his leadership of America's smallest Air Force (the fourteenth), helped immeasurably to thwart the Axis powers' ambitious plan. With a minimum of supplies and manpower, this relative handful of Americans remained steadfast in their remote mountain bastion in Kunming, China, as an offensive deterrent to Japanese aggression. This book is written about that struggle, about a near-forgotten band of gallant American airmen who found themselves, like visitors from another planet, in the midst of a strange land at a time of great turmoil. They came not as conquerors . . . but as co-defenders. They were appreciated by the most humble and grateful Chinese. . . . These people would smile to them in recognition, nod approval, and in many cases utter the only mutually recognizable words of communication: "Ding Hao," meaning "It is good." -from the Prologue
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Wanda Cornelius began her writing career at the age of sixteen and has excelled in the area of freelancing. She first worked on William Allen White's Emporia Gazette in Kansas and later went on to work as a correspondent and editor for several Oklahoma and Louisiana dailies. In 1969 she turned to freelancing and, in 1973, won the UPI Best Feature Award.
She was living in Baton Rouge with her son, Kent, when an encounter with a stray dog coincidentally led her to a veterinarian who wished to compose the history of America's involvement in China during World War II. Her professional-writing talent greatly contributed to the work she produced with Thayne Short.
Spending most of his life pursuing a career in orthopedics, Thayne Short is also an expert in aviation. Born in Victoria, Texas, Short committed himself to four years in the United States Navy before entering Texas A & M University. He graduated with a bachelor's in animal science and a doctorate in veterinary medicine. He took many trips to Switzerland, where he continued to expand his knowledge in orthopedics. He then worked in a clinic in New Orleans and opened his own small-animal hospital in Baton Rouge. Short also owns a private airplane, spends much of his free time flying, and is increasingly interested in air combat. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Ding Hao, America's Air War in China, 1937-1945,Wanda Cornelius,Pelican Publishing Company,0882892533,Aerial operations, American,Air Force, 14th,Air Forces,Army Air Forces,Army Air Forces.,Campaigns,East Asia,History,History - Military / War,History: World,Military - Aviation,Military - General,Military - World War II,United States,United States.,World War, 1939-1945,Chennault, Claire Lee
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