PEARL HARBOR PAYBACK

Flight Journal, Apr 2005 by Bergin, Bob

The AVG's surprise raid on Chiang Mai

THE MARCH 24, 1942, American Volunteer Group (AVG) raid on the Japanese Air Force at Chiang Mai in northern Thailand was one of the Flying Tigers' most significant actions. The attack deep inside Japanese-controlled territory by 10 P-40s that came from China caught the Japanese off-guard. Despite the loss of two AVG pilots, the mission was deemed a great success. Although the destruction of Japanese aircraft was important, the victory also came at a time when Americans back home badly needed a boost.

The war in Southeast Asia was three months old, and Japan's conquest of the area seemed inevitable. Singapore, Malaya and Thailand had fallen, and the Japanese were marching through Burma (now Myanmar). Rangoon fell on March 6, 1942, and Japanese forces headed north toward India. Renowned for its fierce defense of Rangoon, the AVG was forced to evacuate its P-40s to an RAF base at Magwe in central Burma. From there, the AVG and what remained of the RAF there mounted raids against Burmese airfields controlled by the Japanese. On March 21, Japan's air force struck back. Three waves of twin-engine bombers, dozens in every wave, pounded Magwe. When they had finished, fighters went down to work the airfield over with machine guns. Most of the RAF's remaining Hurricanes and almost all of its Blenheim bombers were destroyed. Two AVG personnel were killed, and all AVG P-40s at the field were hit. The Japanese returned the next day to finish the job, and the evacuation of Magwe began.

At his headquarters at Kunming, China, AVG Commander Claire Lee Chennault watched the situation evolve. Early on the morning of March 22, he met with the two AVG squadron leaders then in Kunming: Robert H. Neale of the 1st Pursuit Squadron and John Van Kuren Newkirk of the 2nd. Chennault laid out a plan: an airfield at Chiang Mai in northern Thailand was one of the bases for the aircraft that had attacked Magwe. With a surprise attack, the AVG would catch the Japanese on the ground. Chiang Mai was more than 150 miles inside Japanese-controlled territory, and that was beyond the range of the P-40s, so the Japanese would not expect a visit by the AVG. The P-40s would fly from Kunming to Loiwing, China, refuel and then fly to a small airstrip in Nam Sang, Burma, that would put them within easy range of Chiang Mai. The pilots would stay overnight and strike Chiang Mai early the next morning. Chennault chose a secondary target-Lampang, 45 miles southeast of Chiang Mai-where the Japanese reportedly based heavy bombers. Neale would command the mission and lead six P-40s to Chiang Mai. Newkirk would take four P-40s to Lampang, strike the airfield there and then rejoin Neale's flight at Chiang Mai.

The pilots chosen for this mission were among the AVG's best. Press coverage of his actions in defense of Rangoon had made squadron leader "Scarsdale Jack" Newkirk an American hero; he was credited with 10 victories by the AVG and 25 by The New York Times. In Newkirk's flight were Frank L. Lawlor, Henry M. Geselbracht and Robert B. "Buster" Keeton. With 12 victories, 1st Squadron leader Bob Neale was the AVG's top scoring ace. In his flight was another AVG double ace, William "Black Mac" McGarry, with 10 victories. The other pilots were Charlie Bond, Bill Bartling, Edward F. Rector-all AVG aces-and Gregory Boyington, who was later known as "Pappy" when he commanded the Black Sheep and was credited with 28 victories and awarded the Medal of Honor.

The 10 P-40s took off from Kunming at noon that same day. Newkirk was to lead them to Loiwing, but he got lost en route. Neale, Bond and Bartling struck off on their own and got to Loiwing first. Newkirk and the rest turned up, but they were well behind schedule. The flight to Nam Sang was postponed until the next day; that was not a hardship for the pilots. Loiwing was an AVG mainte-"' nance depot that had an American club, a well-stocked bar and a hostel where the pilots slept.

Morning arrived with a low ceiling, fog and rain. Takeoff for Nam Sang was set for 1500 hours. The idea was to land there at dusk when the threat of marauding Japanese fighters was low. Takeoff was on time, and the flight to Nam Sang was uneventful. The P-40s landed as the sun was going down, and their pilots refueled in the dark.

Before turning in, Neale called the pilots together to review the mission. Takeoff would be at 0545 hours. All 10 aircraft would rendezvous over the field at 10,000 feet, and Neale would lead both flights to Chiang Mai. There, Newkirk would break off and take his flight to Lampang. If he didn't find any aircraft there, he would turn back to join the attack on Chiang Mai. For the main attack on the Chiang Mai airfield, Neale would lead four aircraft down to strafe while two would fly top cover.

It was still dark when the P-40s took off, the runway marked by lanterns and the headlights of parked trucks. Neale was the first off at 0555 hours, and Charlie Bond was a minute behind. Boyington was next, and then Bartling, who had never flown at night. Rector and McGarry, who were to fly top cover, took off after the other four. Newkirk's flight took off right behind.