Customer Reviews

Air Commando Fighters of World War II

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I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy of this book a few years ago in Thailand after a reommendation by my father. There have been a number of volumes on the Chindits and of the evolution of the US Air Commandos in Vietnam, but little specifically focusing on its development in the CBI during WWII. This is an excellent, well-illustrated book and I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning more about this organization, its equipment, and its battles in Burma.

Air Commando groups, which fought in the CBI and PTO theaters, were a unique WWII USAAF experiment to field a unit that combined fighter, bomber and transport components. Created initially to support Chindit operations in Burma, Air Commando Groups later saw action in the Phillipines. The story of this unique and highly successful experiment is told in this nicely done volume from Specialty Press.

Intrigued by the idea of a lean, mean, highly mobile air force in miniature, General Hap Arnold assigned two legendary pilots, Phil Cochran and John Alison, to bring the idea to life. Thus was born the Air Commando Group, consisting of P-51s, C-47s, C-64s and B-25s. Initially tasked with close air support and supply of Orde Wingate's Chindits, the unit, subsequently bolstered by the 2nd ACG, played a major role in the Allied campaign to retake Burma. The 3rd ACG saw action in the Phillipines and over Formosa.

Utilizing official documentation and many reminiscences from group personnel, author Edward Young has fashioned an excellent introduction to these unique fighting units. The text is well-illustrated with over 120 black and white photographs and period maps.

If you are interested in the Air Commando concept - which was resurrected in the Vietnam War - this is a good overview of how it all started way back when.