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Way of a Fighter: The Memoirs of Claire Lee Chennault
Second Library copy- San Diego Air and Space Museum
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 3, 2017
This book contains important info relevant to air power, WWII in Asia, US-Chinese relations, and the way that the US military works. Anyone interested in any of those subjects would do well to read the book. I'd watched documentaries about this individual and read his entry on Wikipedia but learned a whole lot more, actually scandalous things that have been glossed over since WWII.
An example of something of interest, edited for brevity: "in 1925 we experienced one of the Japanese attack scares that periodically swept the islands...for three weeks I had the 19th fighter squadron... patrol the approaches to Pearl Harbor until long after sunrise hit the ground. If I'd been caught with my planes on the ground, as were the Air Corps commanders in the Philippines and Hawaii, I could never again have looked my fellow officers squarely in the eye. Americans have been prone to excuse the failings of their military leaders partly because of the glow of final victory and partly because they lack all the facts from which to form an honest and accurate appraisal-facts that have been carefully withheld from the public under the guise of censorship allegedly necessary to military security."
An example of something of interest, edited for brevity: "in 1925 we experienced one of the Japanese attack scares that periodically swept the islands...for three weeks I had the 19th fighter squadron... patrol the approaches to Pearl Harbor until long after sunrise hit the ground. If I'd been caught with my planes on the ground, as were the Air Corps commanders in the Philippines and Hawaii, I could never again have looked my fellow officers squarely in the eye. Americans have been prone to excuse the failings of their military leaders partly because of the glow of final victory and partly because they lack all the facts from which to form an honest and accurate appraisal-facts that have been carefully withheld from the public under the guise of censorship allegedly necessary to military security."
February 13, 2020
Major General Claire Lee Chennault of the U.S. Army Air Corps wrote this memoir in 1949 to build his case for American engagement in China to promote American interests. At the the time it was published communist influence rose amidst the Chinese civil-war between Mao Zeodong and Chaing Kai-Shek. MG Chennault gives a compelling first hand account of the negative impacts of the U.S. WWII Europe first policy in China and how it exacerbated Chinese nationalist challenges, tipping the tides of the Chinese civil-war in favor of the communists.
MG Chennault presents a detailed perspective of the political, economic, logistical, diplomatic, technological, and leadership challenges faced by the Chinese and American Army Air Corps in China while fighting the Japanese during WWII. Of particular interest is the detailed account of contracting American Air Corps in direct support of the Chinese nationalist leadership, Generalissimo Chaing Kai-Shek. The technical difficulties and technological inferiority of American P-40 aircraft to the Japanese Zero, and the impacts of interpersonal relationships on the conduct of the war are intriguing and provide insight to future leaders and policy makers. Indeed, MG Chennault paints a portrait of near constant conflict with GEN Stillwell resulting in GEN Stillwell's subversion of Presidential directives to slight MG Chennault, the Generalissimo, and secure personal glory via a ground campaign in Burma opposed to a strategically sound air campaign to defeat Japan. Despite these obstacles, MG Chennault and his various formations inflicted astounding casualties on the Japanese in China amounting to a 20:1 ratio of enemy aircraft destroyed to friendly air craft lost.
MG Chennault clearly understands who he is, what his values are, his world view, and viciously defends them. Indeed, his contributions to the historical account of WWII and the U.S. foreign policy in China are a purse of gold and tie tactical, operational, and strategy together in a vibrant first hand account. Leaders of all generations would do well to read this book. The world could use more people possessing his clear eyed conviction.
MG Chennault presents a detailed perspective of the political, economic, logistical, diplomatic, technological, and leadership challenges faced by the Chinese and American Army Air Corps in China while fighting the Japanese during WWII. Of particular interest is the detailed account of contracting American Air Corps in direct support of the Chinese nationalist leadership, Generalissimo Chaing Kai-Shek. The technical difficulties and technological inferiority of American P-40 aircraft to the Japanese Zero, and the impacts of interpersonal relationships on the conduct of the war are intriguing and provide insight to future leaders and policy makers. Indeed, MG Chennault paints a portrait of near constant conflict with GEN Stillwell resulting in GEN Stillwell's subversion of Presidential directives to slight MG Chennault, the Generalissimo, and secure personal glory via a ground campaign in Burma opposed to a strategically sound air campaign to defeat Japan. Despite these obstacles, MG Chennault and his various formations inflicted astounding casualties on the Japanese in China amounting to a 20:1 ratio of enemy aircraft destroyed to friendly air craft lost.
MG Chennault clearly understands who he is, what his values are, his world view, and viciously defends them. Indeed, his contributions to the historical account of WWII and the U.S. foreign policy in China are a purse of gold and tie tactical, operational, and strategy together in a vibrant first hand account. Leaders of all generations would do well to read this book. The world could use more people possessing his clear eyed conviction.
February 1, 2022
Took longer to read than I expected since it showed a lot of the idiocy of politics. Here was a guy who knew his stuff and was on the ground. But he was overruled by a command and politics back home. Much of the problems we see today with China stem from the way they treated Chennault. He and the Chinese government where not perfect but they did love the US. I've been to one of the main Flying Tigers museums in China. It showed more tribute to Americans than in some US museums. Just amazing. So yeah it was a good read. Now going to read. "Donald of China" which was referenced in this book but Donald was an Australian journalist who was very influential in the late 30 and another key playing. Just love getting different view points. ('Donald of China' is also a very hard book to find. I found a copy from an Australian book seller. Was not able to find a copy online.)
February 9, 2019
A highly insightful look into World War II in the China Theater of Operations from a man was there in the beginning. Well worth finding and reading and a valued addition to my library.
August 19, 2024
A "tribe" needs superior warriors.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews