At the end of World War II, a number of former American military pilots formed the "Flying Tiger Line," which soon became the world's leading airfreight company. Its motto of "Anything, anytime, anywhere" was especially applicable in its humanitarian projects. In 1975, the Flying Tigers took part in relief efforts for Cambodians surrounded by Khmer Rouge forces. The "Ricelift" exposed the Tiger pilots to enormous risk. Though they were technically "noncombatants," all this really meant was that they couldn't shoot back. This is the memoir of Larry Partridge who, in his plane, nicknamed "Nancy" after his wife, flew 52 missions into Phnom Penh, delivering rice and other supplies in hostile conditions. After the collapse of Saigon and the victory of the Khmer Rouge, the ricelifts ceased. This account, from a Tiger's-eye view, includes both history and human drama in a remarkable but completely true story
Larry Partridge 1936 til now, was born in Spokane, Washington. His first airplane ride was in his mother's womb. She was a pilot and accused Larry of putting a kink in her flying career when exhaust fumes (open cockpit) greatly increased her susceptibility to morning sickness.
His father was a flight test maintenence engineer and three uncles were also military pilots during WWII, so it seems natural he would be a pilot as well. Starting lessons at 14 years of age, he soloed at 16 and had all the ratings possible by the time he was in his late twenties.
He settled into a niche with the "Flying Tiger Line", an airline started by pilots that gained fame by trouncing superior, in number, forces of Japanese warplanes.
A highlight in Mr. Partridge's career was when he volunteered to fly food and other supplies into Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Thousands were starving to death in that city besieged by communist rebels. He and his crews did this 52 times during March of 1975.
Larry felt this information was too important to not be shared with many, thus two books were born. One, non-fiction, tells us what happened. The other surmises what could have happened.
Now retired Larry and his wife, a Flying Tiger stewardess when they met in San Francisco, are living well in La Conner, Washington basking in the glow of three successful sons, one of which designed the covers for the novel.
