98-year-old Member of Flying Tigers Reminisced about the Past at Nanjing Memorial Hall of Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs

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98-year-old Member of Flying Tigers Reminisced about the Past at Nanjing Memorial Hall of Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs

On March 27, Mr. Zhai Yonghua, president of Taiwan Flying Tiger Association accompanied Mr. Li Jixian, a former member of Flying Tigers, and his party to visit and ponder over the past at Nanjing Memorial Hall of Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs in Nanjing. Shen Xianjin, director of the Administration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen s Mausoleum, accompanied them throughout their visit.

Mr. Li Jixian and his party came to the Memorial Square, presented a beautiful bouquet in front of the statues of Chinese, Russian and American aviation martyrs and respectfully rendered a standard military salute to the heroes. Mr. Li was reluctant to leave for a long time.

Mr. Li Jixian is already 98 years old, but his humorous remarks and straight stature can hardly make people believe that he is nearly one hundred years old. When he entered the exhibition hall of Nanjing Memorial Hall of Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs, a model of Y-16 aircrafts provided by the former Soviet Union to China during the Anti-Japanese War greeted his eyes.

He immediately gave the name, model and performance of the plane, making people accompanying him and other visitors exclaim in great surprise. During his visit, Mr. Li repeatedly praised the museum for its rich contents and advanced multi-media exhibition means enabling visitors to learn the rarely known history of the air war against Japan.

Mr. Li pointed to the display boards from time to time and gave introductions. The history told by a person who personally experienced it aroused new feelings in listeners present. When coming to the exhibition hall of Sino-American Flight Regiment, Mr. Li excitedly pointed at the badge of the Fifth Battalion, saying, "This is our badge.

Wu Qiyao who died in Hangzhou last year was in the same battalion with me". Looking at the picture in which young and awe-inspiring Mr. Wu in his military uniform stood in front of the aircraft in the exhibition hall, Mr. Li could not calm down for a long time. Mr. Li participated in the famous "Flying the Hump" and won a number of medals.

He stood near the scene of the "Flying the Hump", telling that his comrades once encountered a powerful cold airflow due to the higher altitude during their performance of air transportation mission, and the airframe was covered with a layer of ice in a second, but fortunately the aircraft flew through the airflow quickly, so this mission only had a near miss.

Introduction to Li Jixian

Mr. Li Jixian was a leader of the Capitan District of the Academy of Military Officers before becoming a member of the Flying Tigers. At that time, Chongqing and Chengdu were frequently bombarded by Japanese aircrafts, which made Li Jixian filled with hatred. Taking an opportunity during the vacation, he went to Chengdu to find the Academy of Air Officers at the time to apply for joining the air force.

He successfully passed the physical examination, interview and written examination. He received a notice to go to Yibin to directly attend the primary flight courses the following day. Therefore, he gave up his rank of captain and became a student of the sixteenth course of the Academy of Air Officers.

At that time, there were more than 80 students in Class 2 in which Li Jixian studied. Due to shortage of materials and very little gasoline for flight training during the wartime, Li Jixian and his classmates became the first batch of students sent to India to learn the primary flight, unlike the students of the previous course programs.

After arrival in India, he learned about flying for three months under the guidance of American instructors. And then proctored by American instructors, he passed three examinations and was sent to the United States to receive training and learn how to operate the most advanced fighters at the time.

A year later, Li Jixian completed his studies and returned to China to re-start from the second lieutenant. He was assignedd to the 26th Squadron of the Fifth Battalion of the Sino-American Flight Regiment. Since April 1944, Li Jixian s squadron took part in the "Battle of West Hunan" well-known at home and abroad.

Li Jixian officially flew to join the fight on January 29, 1945 when the Japanese army became a spent force. During 7 months of fight, Li Jixian flew 52 missions and was awarded for his meritorious services each time. Mr. Li Jixian was awarded the "Air Medal" and "Excellent Flying Cross" by the American Air Force.