THE AIR COMMANDOS: (1st AIR COMMANDOS, BURMA)

THE AIR COMMANDOS: (1st AIR COMMANDOS, BURMA)

A great color photograph from the collection of Brad Smith, from his father, the great AVG fighter “Ace” R.T. Smith’s time in China and then in India and Burma. The Image shows the leadership of the First Air Commando Group in front of one of the Group’s North American B-25H Mitchell bombers on an airfield in eastern India. The name “Barbie III” painted across the nose of the “Mitchell” identifies it as the personal aircraft of “R.T.”

Sitting in the front row from left to right are; Walter Radovich, Arvid Olson, Johnny Alison, Phillip Cochran and “R.T.” Smith. Olsen and Smith were both original members of the American Volunteer Group, where Olson would earn fame as the commander the AVG’s 3rd Pursuit Squadron and Smith would be credited with 8.9 aerial victories.

Johnny Alison, would become an “Ace” with 6 aerial kills while flying for General Chennault as a member of the China Air Task Force. Additionally, Alison would be widely regarded as one of the most gifted American combat pilots of the Second World War and serve as the First Air Commando Group’s co-commander. Remaining in Air Force service following the conclusion of the Second World War, Johnny Alison would eventually attain the rank of Major General.

Phillip “Flip” Cochran had commanded a P-40 replacement squadron during the invasion of North Africa where he was credited with 2 confirmed aerial victories against the German Luftwaffe, and along with Johnny Alison was personally chosen by General “Hap” Arnold, the Commander of the American Army Air Forces to lead the First Air Commando Group (originally the 5318th Provisional Unit (Air)) in its groundbreaking role in providing close air support for British Long Range Penetration operations deep behind Japanese lines in Burma.

Walter Radovich, had been a P-40 fighter pilot in the pre-war Army Air Corps, and had been trying to volunteer for service with the American Volunteer Group when he was badly injured while bailing out of his P-40 Tomahawk while taking part in an ill-fated, training flight over California’s rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains, that cost the USAAC eight P-40’s and the lives of four pilots. Walter commanded the Air Commando’s North American P-51A Mustang Fighter unit.

Major Walter Radovich and Major General Johnny Alison were founding Board Members of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation.