<P> The port of Rangoon in Burma and the Burma Road leading from there to China were of crucial importance . Eastern China was under Japanese occupation , so all military supplies for China arrived via the Burma route . By November 1941 , when the pilots were trained and most of the P - 40s had arrived in Asia , the Flying Tigers were divided into three squadrons : 1st Squadron ( `` Adam & Eves '' ) ; 2nd Squadron ( `` Panda Bears '' ) and 3rd Squadron ( `` Hell 's Angels '' ) . They were assigned to opposite ends of the Burma Road to protect this vital line of communications . Two squadrons were based at Kunming in China , and a third at Mingaladon Airport near Rangoon . When the United States officially entered the war , the AVG had 82 pilots and 79 aircraft , although not all were combat - ready . Tiger Erik Shilling , part of the third squadron commented : . `` This was the beginning of the greatest adventure I would ever hope to experience . It was n't until years later that I fully realized the magnitude and significance of this first step , to be a lifelong adventure in the mystic Far East . '' </P>
<P> The port of Rangoon in Burma and the Burma Road leading from there to China were of crucial importance . Eastern China was under Japanese occupation , so all military supplies for China arrived via the Burma route . By November 1941 , when the pilots were trained and most of the P - 40s had arrived in Asia , the Flying Tigers were divided into three squadrons : 1st Squadron ( `` Adam & Eves '' ) ; 2nd Squadron ( `` Panda Bears '' ) and 3rd Squadron ( `` Hell 's Angels '' ) . They were assigned to opposite ends of the Burma Road to protect this vital line of communications . Two squadrons were based at Kunming in China , and a third at Mingaladon Airport near Rangoon . When the United States officially entered the war , the AVG had 82 pilots and 79 aircraft , although not all were combat - ready . Tiger Erik Shilling , part of the third squadron commented : . `` This was the beginning of the greatest adventure I would ever hope to experience . It was n't until years later that I fully realized the magnitude and significance of this first step , to be a lifelong adventure in the mystic Far East . '' </P>
where were the flying tigers based in china
where were the flying tigers based in china
Kunming Mingaladon Airport near Rangoon
Kunming Mingaladon Airport near Rangoon