Sculpture wall hails WII US squadron
24/3/2005 17:24
A vivid, life-like relief sculpture wall featuring scenarios of a squadron of
courageous American pilots during World War II has been erected in Kunming,
capital of southwestern Yunnan Province. The feat is meant to mark the 60th
anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggressors
(1937-1945). During wwii, American General Claire Lee Chennault, commander of
the 14th Air Fleet I, organized US pilot volunteers in a squadron known as the
invincible "Flying Tigers" to airlift arms, weaponry and other war-time goods to
help China in its struggles against Japanese aggressors. The us volunteers
opened up a historical air corridor from India to the cities of Kunming and
Chongqing in southwestern China via Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). During
their fierce encounters with Japanese airforce, some young air "tigers" lost
their lives. The 150-by-four meter relief sculpture wall, is erected on
Minhang Road in Kunming, where Flying Tigers used to overhaul and maintain their
fighter jets, according to Yu Chuan, the chief designer of the relief sculpture
wall. Scenarios on the wall include the arrival of the Flying Tigers, Chinese
soldiers and civilians building the airport during WWII, the scene of people
cheering the victory of their first battle, Chinese civilians rescuing members
of the Flying Tigers, as well as a huge image of
Chennault.
Xinhua news
|