The Spray and Pray Squadron : 3rd Bomb Squadron, 1st Bomb Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing in World War II

An exhaustive illustrated history of a bomb squadron in the Chinese-American Composite Wing during WWII

This book chronicles exploits of the 3rd Bomb Squadron of Maj. Gen. Claire Chennault''s experimental Chinese-American Composite Wing, in which young men from two nations of different languages, customs, and cultures joined forces to fight a common enemy. At the end of the world''s longest supply line and often limited by shortages that included gasoline and bombs necessary for missions, as well as often-foul weather, they went on to establish an impressive record of successful combat operations. This squadron history reveals details of their B-25 bombing and strafing raids against vital enemy targets—primarily along conduits used to transport supplies and troops—as well as of daily activities that provide an intimate glimpse behind the scenes. Narratives from official records complemented by letters home, personal diaries, interviews, and more than 200 never-before-published photographs make this a must-read for anyone seeking to understand one of WWII''s most distinctive military organizations.

An exhaustive illustrated history of a bomb squadron in the Chinese-American Composite Wing during WWII.

The 3rd Bomb Squadron, 1st Bomb Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing flew B-25 Mitchell bombers in combat against the Japanese in the "CBI" or China-Burma-India theater.

The squadron combined Chinese and American personnel, with officers and enlisted men representing both nationalities. Although the aircraft were all of American origin, Chinese and American crews would fly missions together, occasionally even with mixed crews on board a single aircraft. 

The squadron insignia featured a skunk; the Chinese-American Composite Wing was symbolized by a tiger and dragon. The 3rd Bomb Squadron specialized in low-altitude ground attack operations. Members of the unit referred to themselves as the "Spray and Pray Boys." 

This definitive history of the squadron is authored by Margaret Kincannon, the official historian of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation. Inspired by the service of her father, Hank, in the unit, Kincannon has pored over official reports, networked with veterans and families of veterans, and amassed a large collection of vintage photos over the past decade. This book is the result of her exhaustive research, jelling information from a wide variety of primary sources into a cohesive and highly readable history of a bomb squadron in the Pacific.

Along with a comprehensive narrative history of the 3rd Bomb Squadron, this study includes hundreds of vintage photographs, and biographical sketches of 120 squadron members as an appendix.