JUNGLE AIR ASSAULT: (1ST AIR COMMANDOS)
The First Air Commandos were created to provide close air support, transportation, air assault and resupply to the Long Range Penetration operations of Major General Orde Wingate’s Anglo-Indian “Chindit” troops.
The photo captures a group of Air Commando glider pilots with one of the 225 Waco CG-4 assault gliders that were assigned to the First Air Commando to carry “Chindit” formations deep behind Japanese lines.
The pilot kneeling at the far right of the photo with the “Tommy” gun resting against his left arm, is the famous child motion picture star Jackie Coogan, who in the 1960’s would gain additional fame as “Uncle Fester” in the very popular television series “The Adams Family.”