5th Fighter Group (Provisional)
Lineage: Activated 13 Jan 44
Stations: Malir Cantonment, Karachi; Kweilin; Suichwan; Chihkiang
Commanders: Frank Rouse, Jan 1944; John Dunning, Nov 1944; Charles Wilder, June 1945;
Howard Means, Jul 1945; William Turner, Aug 1945
Aircraft: P-40N; P-51C/D/K from early 1945.
Lineage: Activated 13 Jan 44
Stations: Malir Cantonment, Karachi; Kweilin; Suichwan; Chihkiang
Commanders: Frank Rouse, Jan 1944; John Dunning, Nov 1944; Charles Wilder, June 1945;
Howard Means, Jul 1945; William Turner, Aug 1945
Aircraft: P-40N; P-51C/D/K from early 1945.
17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional)
Lineage: Formed Mar 1944; Activated c. May 1944 (attached to 26th FS until late Aug 1944)
Stations: Malir Cantonment, Karachi; Chihkiang
Commanders: Charles Wilder, Mar 1944; Glyn Ramsey, Nov 1944; Frank Stevens, Apr 1945
Lineage: Formed Mar 1944; Activated c. May 1944 (attached to 26th FS until late Aug 1944)
Stations: Malir Cantonment, Karachi; Chihkiang
Commanders: Charles Wilder, Mar 1944; Glyn Ramsey, Nov 1944; Frank Stevens, Apr 1945
I am very honored to have recently acquired WWII military service items relating to Glenn "Red"
Burnham, who served as an aircraft mechanic with the 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional), 5th
Fighter Group (Provisional) of the Chinese-American Composite Wing. Thank you to his daughter
Dee for allowing me to preserve these items and keep the memory of his military service for others to
learn about and enjoy. These items are part of my permanent collection and are not for sale.
This page is dedicated to the men of the CACW and their heroic service during WWII. If anyone has
any comments or additional information concerning Mr. Burnham or the CACW, please feel free to
contact me. webmaster@danielsww2.com
Burnham, who served as an aircraft mechanic with the 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional), 5th
Fighter Group (Provisional) of the Chinese-American Composite Wing. Thank you to his daughter
Dee for allowing me to preserve these items and keep the memory of his military service for others to
learn about and enjoy. These items are part of my permanent collection and are not for sale.
This page is dedicated to the men of the CACW and their heroic service during WWII. If anyone has
any comments or additional information concerning Mr. Burnham or the CACW, please feel free to
contact me. webmaster@danielsww2.com
Author - Carl Molesworth
For additional information regarding P-40 Aces of the CBI
and the Chinese-American Composite Wing, see these
two books by author Carl Molesworth. Each provides a
fascinating insight into the airwar over China, and the
men who maintained and flew the aircraft. Both well
worth the price and a terrific research resource!
Visit www.ospreypublishing.com for more titles by Carl
Molesworth.
For additional information regarding P-40 Aces of the CBI
and the Chinese-American Composite Wing, see these
two books by author Carl Molesworth. Each provides a
fascinating insight into the airwar over China, and the
men who maintained and flew the aircraft. Both well
worth the price and a terrific research resource!
Visit www.ospreypublishing.com for more titles by Carl
Molesworth.
The Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW)
OCTOBER 1, 1943 - AUGUST 1, 1945
Initially formed on July 31,1943 as the 1st Bomb Group (Provisional) and the 3rd Fighter Group
(Provisional), Chinese Air Force, The Chinese American Composite Wing (Provisional) would be
officially activated on October 1,1943. The operational units of the CACW would be jointly
commanded by both American and Chinese air force officers, and the unit's aircraft would be jointly
manned by American and Chinese pilots and air crewmen.
ACOMPLISHMENTS OF THE C.A.C.W.
During it first year and a half of operations, the Chinese and American airmen of the CACW could
claim the destruction of 190 Japanese aircraft in air-to-air combat, and 301 more on the ground. The
fighters and bombers of the CACW had destroyed at least 1500 Japanese vehicles and sunk several
hundred thousand tons of Japanese merchant and naval shipping, in addition they had taken a heavy
toll on Japanese ground troops, facilities, railroads and bridges. In that same time, they had lost 35
fighters and 8 bombers to enemy ground fire, and 20 fighters to Japanese aircraft. However, not a
single CACW bomber had been lost to enemy fighters, a tribute to the abilities of the Wing's B-25
aircrews, and the quality of the escort protection provided by the Wing's fighter pilots.
The most successful fighter pilot of the CACW was Lt. Colonel William N. Reed, who had first fought in
China as a member of the AVG. As a "Flying Tiger," Reed had destroyed 3 Japanese aircraft in aerial
combat and 8 more on the ground. Then returning to China to command the CACW's 7th Fighter
Squadron and eventually its 3rd Fighter Group, he would destroy an additional 6 Japanese aircraft in
aerial combat. (Information obtained from the following website: www.sinoam.com/home.htm.)
Visit this terrific website for additional information concerning Chinese-American history during WWII.
Initially formed on July 31,1943 as the 1st Bomb Group (Provisional) and the 3rd Fighter Group
(Provisional), Chinese Air Force, The Chinese American Composite Wing (Provisional) would be
officially activated on October 1,1943. The operational units of the CACW would be jointly
commanded by both American and Chinese air force officers, and the unit's aircraft would be jointly
manned by American and Chinese pilots and air crewmen.
ACOMPLISHMENTS OF THE C.A.C.W.
During it first year and a half of operations, the Chinese and American airmen of the CACW could
claim the destruction of 190 Japanese aircraft in air-to-air combat, and 301 more on the ground. The
fighters and bombers of the CACW had destroyed at least 1500 Japanese vehicles and sunk several
hundred thousand tons of Japanese merchant and naval shipping, in addition they had taken a heavy
toll on Japanese ground troops, facilities, railroads and bridges. In that same time, they had lost 35
fighters and 8 bombers to enemy ground fire, and 20 fighters to Japanese aircraft. However, not a
single CACW bomber had been lost to enemy fighters, a tribute to the abilities of the Wing's B-25
aircrews, and the quality of the escort protection provided by the Wing's fighter pilots.
The most successful fighter pilot of the CACW was Lt. Colonel William N. Reed, who had first fought in
China as a member of the AVG. As a "Flying Tiger," Reed had destroyed 3 Japanese aircraft in aerial
combat and 8 more on the ground. Then returning to China to command the CACW's 7th Fighter
Squadron and eventually its 3rd Fighter Group, he would destroy an additional 6 Japanese aircraft in
aerial combat. (Information obtained from the following website: www.sinoam.com/home.htm.)
Visit this terrific website for additional information concerning Chinese-American history during WWII.
Shark Sighting by aviation artist John D. Shaw shows a P-40 of the Flying Tiger (American Volunteer
Group) with ground crewmen and mechanics bore sighting the .30 caliber wing mounted machine
guns. This art print clearly shows how important the ground crewmen were in maintaining these
aircraft and allowing the pilots to take the fight to the Japanese. This and other works of art by Mr.
Shaw can be found at the following website: www.aviationarthangar.com/johndshaw.html
Group) with ground crewmen and mechanics bore sighting the .30 caliber wing mounted machine
guns. This art print clearly shows how important the ground crewmen were in maintaining these
aircraft and allowing the pilots to take the fight to the Japanese. This and other works of art by Mr.
Shaw can be found at the following website: www.aviationarthangar.com/johndshaw.html
| S/Sgt. Glenn "Red" Burnham and the Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) China-Burma-India Theater in WWII |
Surrender at Chihkiang - August 21, 1945
Japanese Brig. Gen. Kiyoshi, accompanied by two staff officers and one interpreter landed at the
Chihkiang airfield on August 21, 1945. Brig. Gen. Kiyoshi was received by Gen. Hsiao Yi-shu, Chief of
Staff of the Chinese Army Headquarters, who, in an audience attended by more than one hundred
Chinese and Allied officers, accepted the surrender terms, ending hostilities between Japan and China.
Shown below are original photographs from Mr. Burnham's estate, showing the arrival of the surrender
delegation aircraft, and their motorcade making their way from the airfield to the surrender site. At
the time of the surrender, Mr. Burnham was stationed at Chihkiang Airfield.
Chihkiang airfield on August 21, 1945. Brig. Gen. Kiyoshi was received by Gen. Hsiao Yi-shu, Chief of
Staff of the Chinese Army Headquarters, who, in an audience attended by more than one hundred
Chinese and Allied officers, accepted the surrender terms, ending hostilities between Japan and China.
Shown below are original photographs from Mr. Burnham's estate, showing the arrival of the surrender
delegation aircraft, and their motorcade making their way from the airfield to the surrender site. At
the time of the surrender, Mr. Burnham was stationed at Chihkiang Airfield.
S/Sgt. Glenn "Red" Burnham
5th Fighter Group (Provisional), 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional)
Glenn "Red" Burnham, an automobile mechanic in civilian life,
entered into the United States Army Air Corps on October 19, 1942 in
Tacoma, Washington. Following basic training, Burnham was stationed
at the following airfields: Bowman Field, Kentucky (October to November
1942, Air Corps Technical School, Gulfport, Mississippe (Novermber
1942 to April 1943), Army Air Forces Technical School, Chanute Field,
Illinois (April to May 1943), and Army Air Base, Richmond, Virginia
(June to November 1943).
On February 19, 1944, Burnham and his unit transferred to the aircraft carrier Mission Bay for
transport overseas. Being used as transport and not for flight operations, Burnham described the
hanger bays of the Mission Bay and the accompanying carrier Wake Island, were filled with P-47
aircraft. Following stops in Cape Town, South Africa and Madagascar, Burnham and his unit arrived
in Karachi, India. At that time, Burnham and his unit were informed that they were replacements for
a CACW unit which was lost when their ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in the
Mediterranean.
Burnham and his unit were then introduced to the CACW, the 5th Fighter Group and the P-40N.
After several more months of training, Burnham and his unit were transferred to their home base of
Chihkiang, China. This 5,000 foot airstrip served as the home for the 17th Fighter Squadron, the 26th
Fighter Squadron, the 29th Fighter Squadron and the 27th Fighter Squadron. In January of 1945,
Burnham the units P-40s were replaced with P-51 Mustangs. .
After spending 3 years, 2 months and 2 days in the United States Army Air Corps, Burnham was
honorably discharged from service on December 21, 1945. During his career, Burnham was earned
and was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theater Service
Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, a Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Sharpshooter badge for
pistol, rifle and carbine.
Shown here is a small cross section of items from Burnham's estate, now preserved in my permanent
collection.
5th Fighter Group (Provisional), 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional)
Glenn "Red" Burnham, an automobile mechanic in civilian life,
entered into the United States Army Air Corps on October 19, 1942 in
Tacoma, Washington. Following basic training, Burnham was stationed
at the following airfields: Bowman Field, Kentucky (October to November
1942, Air Corps Technical School, Gulfport, Mississippe (Novermber
1942 to April 1943), Army Air Forces Technical School, Chanute Field,
Illinois (April to May 1943), and Army Air Base, Richmond, Virginia
(June to November 1943).
On February 19, 1944, Burnham and his unit transferred to the aircraft carrier Mission Bay for
transport overseas. Being used as transport and not for flight operations, Burnham described the
hanger bays of the Mission Bay and the accompanying carrier Wake Island, were filled with P-47
aircraft. Following stops in Cape Town, South Africa and Madagascar, Burnham and his unit arrived
in Karachi, India. At that time, Burnham and his unit were informed that they were replacements for
a CACW unit which was lost when their ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in the
Mediterranean.
Burnham and his unit were then introduced to the CACW, the 5th Fighter Group and the P-40N.
After several more months of training, Burnham and his unit were transferred to their home base of
Chihkiang, China. This 5,000 foot airstrip served as the home for the 17th Fighter Squadron, the 26th
Fighter Squadron, the 29th Fighter Squadron and the 27th Fighter Squadron. In January of 1945,
Burnham the units P-40s were replaced with P-51 Mustangs. .
After spending 3 years, 2 months and 2 days in the United States Army Air Corps, Burnham was
honorably discharged from service on December 21, 1945. During his career, Burnham was earned
and was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theater Service
Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, a Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Sharpshooter badge for
pistol, rifle and carbine.
Shown here is a small cross section of items from Burnham's estate, now preserved in my permanent
collection.
Above, a few snapshots of Burnham and friends in China.
"Red" Burnham (center) and fellow mechanics stand near a crashed P-40.
Two snapshots of Burnham and his fellow mechanics. These two photographs
show the primitive conditions the mechanics worked in to keep these aircraft in
the air. Identified as "Chinese Pogo sticks", this crude contraption was the only
way the mechanics could overhaul the very heavy aircraft engines.
show the primitive conditions the mechanics worked in to keep these aircraft in
the air. Identified as "Chinese Pogo sticks", this crude contraption was the only
way the mechanics could overhaul the very heavy aircraft engines.
CBI Souveniers:
In reading a small, wartime service diary and a
letter among Burnham's grouping, it was easy
to tell that he was a loving and caring family
man. Below are a few items sent home to
Burnham's wife Irene, including matching CBI
bracelets and two CBI remembrance throws.
letter among Burnham's grouping, it was easy
to tell that he was a loving and caring family
man. Below are a few items sent home to
Burnham's wife Irene, including matching CBI
bracelets and two CBI remembrance throws.
The medals and insignia earned and awarded by Burnham during his service time. From left to
right, the medals include: Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory
Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.
right, the medals include: Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory
Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.
Dedicated to the memory of S/Sgt. Glenn "Red" Burnham and the other members of the CACW
The C.E. Daniel Collection
Above and Left: Although not from the estate of
S/Sgt. Burnham, these photographs show another
CBI related item, recently added to my collection.
This is an original, WWII era China War Service or
Memorial Medal, awarded to all members of the
American armed forces who served in Mainland
China, Burma, Vietnam and Thailand, for at least
thirty days between December 8, 1941 and
September 2, 1945. S/Sgt. Burnham and his fellow
Air Corps soldiers would have been entitled to the
award of this medal.
This particular medal, serial numbered 0782, was
awarded on September 19, 1946, to James Orlando
Lide, of Camden, Arkansas.
S/Sgt. Burnham, these photographs show another
CBI related item, recently added to my collection.
This is an original, WWII era China War Service or
Memorial Medal, awarded to all members of the
American armed forces who served in Mainland
China, Burma, Vietnam and Thailand, for at least
thirty days between December 8, 1941 and
September 2, 1945. S/Sgt. Burnham and his fellow
Air Corps soldiers would have been entitled to the
award of this medal.
This particular medal, serial numbered 0782, was
awarded on September 19, 1946, to James Orlando
Lide, of Camden, Arkansas.
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