Thank-you cards from China pose mystery for WWII vets

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ^ | Thursday, October 13, 2011 | LINDSAY WISE

[correctthought]

The postcard arrived in Ed Denzler's mailbox in Pearland last month, a mystery from his past nestled among the routine bills and coupons.

Addressed in neat block letters to Denzler, the handwritten note reads, in English: "It takes a strong man to save himself, a great man to save another. Thank you for 1944. From China."

[RayChuang88]

One of the things about the Flying Tigers unit was they discovered how to defeat the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero"--just out-dive them. And it was this unit that discovered the "Zero" was extremely vulnerable to gunfire from any well-armed fighter.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

How sad it is that so many many Americans alive today have no knowledge, understanding or appreciation of our military history and sacrifices!!! We live in dark times and fading hope for the future if we do not re-correct our historical course!!! Obama and his ilk must be defeated and never allowed ever again to occupy the seat of our power and then proceed to destroy and dismantle our great free republic!!!

[Candor7]

The story of the 1st AVG is one of the most fascinating aspects of US WWII aviation.One of my favorite reads is about how dozens of Chinese farmers dove into the water with one bamboo pole at a time to place under the wings of a ditched P-40, to refloat and salvage it.

This book is about the best:

“Chenault of China”

http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Tiger-Chenault-China-Robert/dp/B00113542Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318693591&sr=1-1

[Grampa Dave]

I have been fortunate to know two of these hero’s.

One helped to train the Tiger Pilots, he was considered too valuable to fly the fighters. He finally got to fly cargo missions over the hump, which was another dangerous job.

Later, he was one of the top pilots re # of missions in the Berlin Air lift.

The other was an MD who never really said much. He was a fighter pilot for the Tigers and later flew cover for our bombers over Europe. He became a doctor/surgeon after the war.

There are only a few of them left. If you know one, tell them thanks.

[Strategerist]

One of the things about the Flying Tigers unit was they discovered how to defeat the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero"

The AVG NEVER encountered a Zero.

The Zero was Japanese Navy; a few were deployed to China before the the AVG arrived (hence Chennault knew of their capabilities) but they were later withdrawn.

All of the AVG's fighting was against the Japanese Army, with the fighters mostly being Nates and Oscars.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Thanks to USA General Claire Chennnault!!! These young boys of ours flying the sturdy, but inferior P-40s did a number on the Japenese Zero fighter aircraft!!! And.....folks do not forget our magnificent Jimmy Doolittle and his valient B-25 bomber attack on Japan in 1942, and...the assistance of the Chinese population in protecting our landing and downed pilots!!! Hats off to Admiral Bill “Bull” Halsey and his carrier force for getting within flight range of Japan, so the attack could go forward!!! American heroes, all!!!

[unkus]

My Dad was in every area of the CBI Theater of War.
He’d be 93 if alive today. he had some hairy stories of flying over the “Hump”.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this link.

http://www.saconavy.com/history.htm

As the 50/60 years past these events happen, hopefully we will find out more about units like your Dads.

Even with a top secret crypto clearance, I knew nothing about the heroes serving with your Dad.

[RayChuang88]

Actually, the Japanese Navy deployed a number of pre-production A6M's to China to test their capabilities against Chines-flown Polikarpov I-15's and I-16's. It was obvious that that Zero was WAY better than the Russian planes (especially in terms of top speed), and as such the Chinese knew quite well how deadly they were.

AVG did encounter a lot of combat against the Ki-43 "Oscar," a plane that had excellent maneuverability but its relatively low top speed and extreme vulnerability to gunfire made it a sitting duck for any modern American fighter.

[left that other site]

Gosh...my Dad didn’t get one. Of course that is probably because when HE was in China, he was ferrying Chaing Kai Shek’s troops into the country to fight Mao Tse Dung!

Maybe he should get one from Taiwan.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Their gov. may be evil...

Ours is catching up fast.

[TEXOKIE]

bfl

[semaj]

A good friend of mine, by the name of Matt Kay (Komorowski) was a member of SACO during the war. The Navy Scout's and Raiders were very active operating behind enemy lines throughout China, up to the very end. I actually helped him to put his story online before he passed on. His widow Dolores, asked me to remove them and I did, but not before someone had actually copied it and reposted it on another server. She followed him a year later.

http://www.northofseveycorners.com/write/kayebkgd.htm

[Lazamataz]

Tells me something about China, that if you help them, they won't forget.

Sometimes I wonder how much of an enemy China truly is.....

[cranked]

“China” as in who specifically?

The people of China may not forget but be assured, the Chinese government is not the people and will forget such for political and ideological expediency.

[Lazamataz]

Most [Chinese] were stunned that I would be right there in the middle of a job helping them in any capacity that I could.

Ditto Russia, when I visited back in '97, most Russians were amazed that I would pitch right in and help in absolutely any way I could. One remarked, "No matter what a bigshot an American is, they all are willing to take up any hammer or any cleaning cloth and help! I think that's why your country got so great."

[Allegra]

Sometimes I wonder how much of an enemy China truly is.....

Their government is the enemy. I've always found the people to be wonderful.

I went to Shanghai and Zhanjiagang a couple of times on business in early 2001 and they were great hosts.

I noticed they seemed somewhat programmed not to express any real opinions in public, but we could tell deep down, they really liked us Americans. :)

[Lazamataz]

It truly amazes me how much the people and governments, worldwide, are diverging in desires and ethics.

[gitmo]

Very nice story.

[Lazamataz]

Their government is the enemy.

This is becoming a worldwide phenomenon, our country included.