Shortly after 9 a.m., 20 December 1941, on an airfield near Hanoi, then Ki-21 type 97 heavy bombers roar skyward to deliver a load of bombs on Kunming. However, they were never to reach their destination. An intricate network of early warning communications had located them and tracked their progress as they approached the target. Approximately 130 kilometers from Kunming, the American Volunteer Group 1st and 2nd squadrons were alerted to intercept them. During the battle that was to follow, six of the ten bombers were destroyed and of the four that had turned for home, only one made it back to safety.

This was to be a great morale boost to the beleaguered Flying Tigers during those last trying months of 1941. Upon hearing of he victory, General Chennault was heard to explain to one of the pilots, “Next time get ‘em all!”

This scene depicts Bob Neale and his wingman W. E. Bartling during a diving attack on the Ki-21’s. Bob Neale accounted for one of the victories during this action and went on to become the AVG’s top scoring ace. – WP

Countersigned by the following ten Flying Tigers:
American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force:

First Squadron:
Squadron Leader Robert H. Neale
Vice Squadron Leader Charles R. Bond
Flight Leader John R. Rossi
Flight Leader Fritz E. Wolf
Armorer Donald L. Rodewald

Second Squadron:
Squadron Leader David Lee "Tex" Hill
Flight Leader Robert B. Keeton
Flight Leader Robert C. Moss

Third Squadron:
Flight Leader C.H. Laughlin
Flight Leader Ken A. Jernstedt