Valor and Memory

An engaging documentary about the First American Volunteer Group of the Republic of China Airforce, who were pilots from the United States Army Air Corps who helped China defend against the Japanese invasion during the Second World War. These pilots also became known as the Flying Tigers.

Through a rich collection of archive footage, photographs and interviews, this feature tells the fascinating story of how the Flying Tigers contributed to the battle during WWII and secured their place in history. The film starts from the very beginning, when American pilots volunteered to go to China when it was been targeted by Japan and so did numerous Chinese American citizens. It examines in detail how these highly motivated individuals worked hard on Chinese soil to prepare for combat. And the roles were also reversed when Chinese citizens came to the U.S. in order to train as pilots and fight the war.

The viewer will gain a great deal of knowledge from the interviewees, who consist of present-day experts and people who participated in this historical times. Some of them are author and historian Carl Molesworth, author Ang Lee, Hans Van De Ven, Phd from Cambridge University, Emma Jane Hanks, who was 1st Squadron Nurse for the American Volunteer Group, Ho Weng Toh, a Chinese Air Force Pilot and Billy Beck Oakley, an American pilot. Having all these individuals sharing their knowledge and experience results in a series of amazing stories that are told through the perspective of the Americans and the Chinese.

As mentioned, there are plenty of photos and archive footage and these would primarily be military-related, showing soldiers, planes, ships and politicians and viewers will get a decent insight into the events that took place. The presence of Melvin McMullen and Harry Moyer is a highlight, two Flying Tigers Veterans who visited China in 2023 and were warmly welcomed. Another thing that stands out is that facts of the events during the war are revealed through letters by John Emil ''Pete'' Petach Jr., who lost his life defending China during the war while serving as a Flight Leader for the American Volunteer Group.

This is a rather informative documentary that provides a detailed account of the accomplishments of the Flying Tigers, their contribution towards victory in the Second World War and history and viewers will become familiar with individuals who performed very brave and challenging actions. Perhaps one of the film's most crucial points is that it observes that a long time ago, the United States and China (who currently have unstable relations between them) firmly collaborated for a common goal and learned from each other.