Description

Early in World War II, there were only two P-38 fighter squadrons in the China-Burma-India Theatre, the 449th and the 459th. The 449th was in China; the 459th was in southern India assisting with the retaking of Rangoon. The 459th known as the “Twin Dragon Squadron” was an unusual squadron. The P-38 airplane itself stood out among the P-51s, P-40s, Hurricanes, Spitfires, Beaufighters, and Vengeances. For much of its short life, about 25 months of operation, the squadron was under the operational control of the RAF – the 224 Group and the Third Tactical Air Force. Also, the squadron was activated in a combat zone and would never see a day of duty in the continental U.S. The squadron had a total of 149 enemy airplanes destroyed in the air and on the ground (123 were destroyed in 58 combat days). There were 6 aces in the squadron. Illustrated with b&w photographs.