China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
World War, 1939-1945
Chennault, Claire Lee, 1893-1958
Film in black and white and color taken by Chinese Air Force Interpreter P.Y. Shu (no sound). The footage was recorded by Shu as he traveled with Col. Claire Chennault to aid the Chinese Air Force in training and establishing the American Volunteer Group (AVG). The footage documents Shu's travel and family as well as Chennault's and the AVG's activities during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Time-stamped scene list: 00:07 (black and white film) Travel by train, passing river boats. 01:00 Canton street scenes and architecture. 01:20 Shu family affairs. 01:34 Street scenes and double decker trolleys. 01:47 Aerial views of Hong Kong. 02:29 Railroad tracks and trains. 02:52 Hong Kong views from the water. 03:48 Arriving in port with views of steamers. 04:03 Hong Kong street scene. 04:16 Passenger ferry on the water. 04:27 Hong kong views from the water. 04:49 China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) Headquarters exterior. Street scene with double decker trolleys. 6:30 Scenes along the coast and at the water. 08:14 (color film) Texaco emblem and neon signs at night. 09:00 (black and white film) Landscape views along coast. 09:42 Family at the beach. 11:22 (color film) Family at the beach. 11:37 (black and white film) Street scenes. The Kowloon Hotel marquee.
P.Y. Shu
Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
Black and white film taken by Chinese Air Force Interpreter P.Y. Shu (no sound). The footage was recorded by Shu as he traveled with Col. Claire Chennault to aid the Chinese Air Force in training and establishing the American Volunteer Group (AVG). The footage documents Shu's travel and family as well as Chennault's and the AVG's activities during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 Chinese soldiers marching to the front. 01:20 Three Chinese Air Force officers and Chennault with suits and ties. 01:53 Training airplane on the ground. Landing the plane. Ground crews working on a plane. 02:37 Chennault with Rolf Watson and Sebie Smith. Ground crews. Crew working on a plane. 02:57 Shu family affairs and recreation time. 05:23 Chinese woman with a bicycle. Chennault talking with bicycle woman. P.Y. Shu riding a bicycle. Shu, Chennault, and bicycle woman. 06:54 Shu family affairs and horse race. 09:01 Chennault and W.H. Donald playing golf. 09:34 Water buffalo and drivers mowing the lawn. 10:15 Chennault and W.H. Donald playing golf. 11:05 Chinese children playing outside. Women and children playing. Monkey show. Acrobatics show.
Nanking, Hankow, Changsha, and Nanchang, 1937-1938
Black and white film taken by Chinese Air Force Interpreter P.Y. Shu (no sound). The footage was recorded by Shu as he traveled with Col. Claire Chennault to aid the Chinese Air Force in training and establishing the American Volunteer Group (AVG). The footage documents Shu's travel and family as well as Chennault's and the AVG's activities during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 Chinese buildings and museum of history. 00:15 Chennault and a Chinese officer on steps in front of a building. P. Y. Shu walks to camera in front of a building. Chennault and Colonel Lee Hwei Don, who was evaluated from Nanking. 00:45 View of ocean. Chinese refugees. View of residential area. 01:07 Hankow harbor and city in snow in 1938. A clock tower (Hankow custom house). 02:40 People set off firecrackers. Crowd in front of the clock tower. View of Hankow Harbor by the Yangtse River. 06:05 British flag on ground (British international section). Black smoke rises from a city on the other side of the shore. Aerial shot of a city. 07:09 A group of military personnels on a field. Chennault with 2 pilots of the International SQ. 7:30 Smoke rises from a crashed plane in a airfield. Pilots watch the accident. Airfield construction in Hankow. Chinese workers. 08:00 Chennault and pilots on an airfield. Training planes in the air. Landing planes. A plane hid under straw. Chennault listens to Chinese pilots talking about flight experience. Crews work on a training plane. Johnny Allison and International pilots. 8:40 Chennault in a cockpit of training plane. Black smoke rises from a distant city. 09:17 Funeral of American soldiers. 10:10 A German pilot with Chinese sign (blood chit) on his jacket. Funeral of soldiers. Chennault among the pall bearers. 10:45 Building and campus of a junior high school. Grave stones. School buildings. P.Y. Shu's mother in front of a building in Chang Shia, Hunan province. 11:43 P. Y. Shu carried in a basket. An old Chinese man and a Chinese officer. 11:50 View of a valley in Hankow. P.Y. Shu in front of a building. 12:19 Wreckages of a training plane.
Air pilots
Toungoo (Burma)
Film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) 1st Squadron Crew Chief Chuck Misenheimer, wtih color and black and white sections (no sound). The footage documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 Snake charming act. 01:48 Monkeys at Toungoo barracks. Burmese cooks. AVG with monkeys. AVG play acting. 03:12 Church. Elephant. 3:30 Snake charming act. 07:12 Elephants. AVG riding elepant. Sightseeing AVG in Toungoo. Jungle views. Monkeys. 12:55 Waterfall. 13:13 South Africa monument close-up. 14:00 View from plane in flight. Wing, clouds, land, waterfall. 15:10 Arrival at Livingstone Tourist Capital of the Federation. Rhodes-Livingstone Museum Craft Village. 15:35 African dancers and drummers.
Misenheimer, Charles V.
P-40 (Fighter plane)
Kunming Shi (China). Liang shi ju
Film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) 1st Squadron Crew Chief Chuck Misenheimer, wtih color and black and white sections (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 Rural area in China. Small village and Chinese people. 01:00 Chinese children gathering around AVG car. Water mill. AVG shooting guns. 1:32 Chinese workers rolling runway in Kunming. A two-pilots fighter airplane on ground. Dolan and other (McClure?)on air field. Landing airplanes. P-40 #13, #12, #33 and others on ground. 02:48 Snuffy Smith and Chinese crew with P-40 #93 of Hell's Angel on ground. Close-up of Hell's Angel insignia. 03:15 Adam and Eve insignia on P-40 #13. Chinese worker and pilots at airport eating lunch. Landing bomber planes. Train coming in. Chinese worker at airport. View of Kunming Lake. Misenheimer on mountain top. 05:07 P-40 #6 and #24 taxiing. Cross in cockpit of P-40. P-40 #13, #33 and others taking off from Kunming airfield. 06:12 Crashed Wright's P-40 on fire. AVG's Carney, Dean, Neale, Burguard talking in front of P-40 in Kweilin. Close-up of Bob Neale. A dog in water. Airplane parts. View of desert field. Bomb holes on the ground. 08:07 An AVG at repairing area in Kunming. J.J. Harrington standing by truck. Rodewald and others on truck. Hoffman walks to camera. Landing P-40. 09:36 An AVG sitting by remaining shot guns and engines of shot down plane in Kweilin. AVG's on Chow line (Schiel, Bright and others) in Kweilin. 11:03 Japanese hostage Honda with Harrington, Bond, Snuffy Smith, Bartling, Burguard, Bob Neale, Olson, Rossi, Rosbert and Chinese soldier in Kweilin. 11:20 Close-up of Honda. Close-up of bullet holes on a plane. Bomber airplane #74 and AVG. 12:50 Crashed airplane. Cars destroyed by air raid. Bombing in Yunnanyi. 14:00 P-40 and Jim Cross on Kunming airfield. A building on fire. Crew working on three bombs on the wing of P-40E. P-40E takes off. 15:05 Training airplanes. Chinese pilots. 16:03 Doc Rich on truck on Kunming airfield. Musgrove and other AVG's standing around truck. Name plate of Uebele and Misenheimer's room. 16:30 Misenheimer with a kitten and dogs at Kunming hostel #2. 17:24 Kitten. AVG with Kitten and dog. Kitten killing a dog. 19:00 Flying and landing training planes in Kunming. 20:00 Flying P-40. Landing US P-40E. 20:40 Cargo airplane 'Available Jones'. Chinese soldiers. Two-pilots fighters and biplanes take off and fly in the sky. 22:10 Destroyed British plane. Airplanes and a crowd of people around it. Fox and Overley by a passenger plane. American soldiers standing by plane. People wait to get into plane. 22:30 Crashed CNAC airplane. 25:00 Misenheimer on a truck. Kenner and other by AVG red cross car. 25:30 Chinese people running away from a town (Kunming air raid). People in shelters.
Film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) 1st Squadron Crew Chief Chuck Misenheimer, wtih color and black and white sections (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 AVGs. P-40s and bomber airplanes. Kunming hostel #1. AVG picnic. City of Rangoon and temples. 03:00 Misenheimer and other AVGs sightseeing in Rangoon. More Rangoon temples. 05:40 Pre-teeth P-40s (#10 and others). AVGs with bicycle around P-40 in Toungoo. Flying P-40. 06:00 Uebele and Kenner talk on P-40. P-40 #5, #9, #4, and others taxing, taking off.and flying in the sky. Workers at airfield. 06:50 Two AVGs in front of P-40 #10. Misenheimer comes down from P-40. An AVG working on wheel of P-40. 07:05 Locke, Wylie, other AVG's and workers under a tent. AVGs sightseeing. 07:35 People carrying a load on a street. Boats on a river. 08:30 AVG trucks and jeeps. Two AVGs or British by AVG truck. Bomber airplanes. 10:02 A man and a woman (AVG?) with a dog. P-40 being repaired. Prop specialists working on propellers of P-40 at Kunming airbase. 11:00 Burma road. AVG trucks. 11:55 An AVG truck driver closes door and looks out window. View of road and mountains. 12:35 Trucks and cars on Burma Road. 13:13 Truck stops once, back up and turns hairpin curve on Burma Road. 13:55 Stacked truck on winding road. Mountain view. 14:35 Truck convoy at a sign of Rasio-Mandalay. 15:00 London 6372 miles sign. 15:05 Truck convoy goes through a Chinese city. Street scene. Children play on street. Rickshaws. 16:30 Market in a Chinese city. Parks.
Flying Tigers Sailing and Kitten, circa 1941
Black and white film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) Crew Chief Joe Gasdick (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:05 Boat trip. View of the ocean, flying airplane, boat masts, islands. 01:15 Sailor spraying water off boat deck. AVG and other passengers in life preserver jackets working on deck. View of ocean. 02:25 Ships and boats on ocean. 03:15 Sunbathing AVG. Boat masts. AVGs in a cabin. 04:05 Aerial shots of clouds and fields. 04:30 AVG's in a cabin. Aerial shots of clouds, river, mountains, airplane propeller and wings. 06:40 AVG's on deck. Sailors painting masts. 07:15 Chinese rural field. Farmers planting young rice plants. 08:55 Street and field of rural area. Housing of farmers. Working water buffalo. Farmers pumping up water. Horses carrying a load. 10:35 P-40 being repaired in Kunming. P-40 #124 at repairing area. Ground crew working on wheel. 10:55 AVG 1st SQ ground crew group picture with Kitten in front of P-40 in Kunming. (1st row: Harrington, Uebele, Locke, Kern?, Cornelius, Kenner)
Gasdick, Joseph
Flying Tigers and Kunming Airfield, circa 1941
Color film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) Crew Chief Joe Gasdick (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:20 Chinese women and residential area. 00:50 Airplane under a net in a repair area at Kunming airfield. 01:40 Chinese soldier. Residential area. Horses carrying a load. 02:50 Chinese funeral procession. 03:55 Chinese construction workers. Farmers pounding rice. An old Chinese woman. 04:50 Camouflaged planes and P-40s at Kunming repair area. Ground crew working on P-40. 05:50 AVG Kunming hostel #2. AVG dining room.0 6:30 Agricultural field. Water buffalo carriage. Working horses. 07:20 Red Cross sign with a bullet hole. 07:40 Train. 07:50 P-40s #4, #47, #24 and others taking off from Kunming airfield. 08:25 Busy street in a Chinese town. 08:40 P-40s #47, #34 and others taking off from Kunming airfield. Six P-40s flying in the sky. 09:20 An AVG pilot in cockpit of P-40. Shilling gets in P-40 #97, takes off and does acrobat flight. 10:45 A shot from inside airplane moving down runway in Kunming. 10:55 Farmers carrying water. 11:15 Practicing Chinese soldiers. 12:10 P-40 being repaired. Damaged building and crashed plane. 13:00 Flying biplane. Crashed P-40 #18. Dummy P-40 lined up. P-40 under a net. Flying biplane.
Kunming and AVG Air Training, circa 1941
Color film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) Crew Chief Joe Gasdick (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:05 Chinese flag in a compound. Boats on Kunming lake. 01:05 Chinese rice paddie. Water irrigation pump. Women washing clothes in river. 02:22 Chinese children on street. Farmers at work. Mule convoy on street. Farmers pounding rice. 03:50 Workers sawing lumbers and breaking rocks. 4:32 Chinese peopel on track and mule convoy in a rural area. 04:45 Thieves. Market in Kunming. 07:00 Chinese hideouts. 07:57 Two men talking at Kunming airfield. 08:20 US bomber planes. 08:45 Runway construction on Kunming airfield. Chinese worker rolling the ground, having lunch break. 10:40 Chinese airplane laying up side down on the ground. 11:00 AVG trucks, jeeps. P-40s in repairing area in Kunming. Dog. 11:15 Chinese flags. 11:40 Airplanes taking off. 12:05 Training airplanes. 12:19 A city of China. People running at the air raid warning in Kunming. Group of army passing by.
Color film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) Crew Chief Joe Gasdick (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S. Government to aid in the defense of China during the Second Sino-Japanese war. Time-stamped scene list: 00:00 Chinese agricultural fields. 00:30 AVG army trucks parked along road. Chinese people passing in carts. 01:00 Chines garden or field. 01:40 Chinese plane under a net on Kunming airfield. 01:48 Chinese army fortresses. 02:24 Two Chinese guards sleeping on the ground. 02:30 Chinese soldiers training and smiling at camera. Army pillbox. 03:19 Landing bomber planes on Kunming airfield. 03:55 P-40 #97 taxiing on airfield. 04:09 AVG pilot and ground crew talking on P-40 #97. 04:44 P-40s lined up on Kunming airfield. A ground crew working on P-40. P-40, hanger and bomber planes on Kunming airfield. Three men in front of bomber plane. Chinese soldiers at pillbox. US bomber airplane. 05:58 Bomber airplane landing on Kunming. 07:20 Bomb holes in a road. Street in a Chinese town.
Michigan--History, Military
United States. Army. Signal Photo Company, 166th
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
Soldiers
Military life
Correspondence
Letter from James W. Ochs to his parents, June 6, 1945. Letter reads: "June 6, 1945. Prachtitz, Czech. Dear Mom & Dad, Being just one year ago that the invasion came off, today was a holiday for us so all I did was take a walk and went swimming twice. Where was the river. Well just a small stream that has a dam across it. It was fairly good swimming with the water just cool. The other time I told you I went swimming was in another small stream back near Aigen, Austria. Today I got two letters from you and last night there were a couple too. Also today I got one Free Press and believe it or not but it was for only nine days ago. It came with the air-mail of the same date. Also thanks Dad for renewing the subscription for another three months. The last four letters I have are dated May 25, 27 & 29 are your Mom and yours Dad of May 19. Also the stamps came as always. You asked about how many points I have. Well I have 49 but with the two campaign stars which I should get it will make it a total of 59. No, not too good but there are worse. I hope that my letters are going through better now than they were when you wrote those letters. By the way did I tell you Dad that the money order came through O.K. Thanks a lot. Today I also got a couple of letters from Mary written the 26 and 28. She didn't have anything special to say except the next week-end she was planning on going to Detroit for a few hours she could have there. The old boats sure bring in the money when they come in. That helps anyway. Now Mom here is a little advise. Don't rent our house. We aren't that hard up at any time and they would probably do more damage in the end that it would be worth. And if I did happen to get home this summer remember I'd like to live in our house. Of course that is just speculating but then you never can tell. I'm glad my box got there O.K. with al the winter things in it. Well what do you think of the German Air Corps Jacket. I hope it got there O.K. I'm waiting to hear if it was underneath when you unpack the box. Prove(?) what Doris wrote you Frank must be making a pretty good housekeeper & cook. But then they both got pretty good bargins. About now the spring house cleaning should be just about now so I guess I can come home now for a few days. I only wish I could. Goodnight & Love, Bill." Amended to the letter is a typescript list of cities and towns Ochs visited in Europe.
Ochs, James W.
James W. Ochs WWII collection, RHC-55
Rédange (France)
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, November 3, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 3. 11. 1945. Dear Jim: Dat was surprise last night wen Mahell(?) arrived. I was so happy but very sorry dat you did not kame with her. But whe hopp dat you kame quiqly perhaps for Christmas. Mahell(?) bring us good news from you and whe are very glad for you. Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures whe where are quite hourly her where siling in the little room near your beard room it is quite warm where eating apples and pears and spiking from you. Mahell kan tell you de anders news. Many thanks for your letters from the ___? I am glad that you have received my letter with the pictures. I have received a letter from Roland and the picture from him also. He is now in Reius(?) and I hoppe that you see him perhaps. The very best of greatings from Suzanne and me. Love Mathilde."
[Unknown], Mathilde
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, October 9, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 9. 10. 45. Dear Jim: I had been very glad when I received your lettre with the pictures. I was for a few days in Stelbrück(?) and when I came back your parcel with the prelly lamp was arrived. I was very surprised, it is too kind of you, I say you my best thanks Jim. I take from you a good rescue ____[?] Last week I sent for you the fikles of the pictures I had your promised I hope you received these in a few days. I received the card Suzanne and me from Paris so I see that you had been in Paris. If possible you must come to Redange again. We are all times happy when you arrived. I hope that every thing is going well for you and I send you the best greatings [sic] from Suzanne and me. Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, October 3, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 3. Octobre 1945. Dear Jim: I was very happy to get your lettre and to see that you was in Paris. It is to hoppe that you have this chance again. When you was Sunday to Paris you see Yvonne and the picture. We have I sennding her the pciture, and I have the negative of Paul. I will send you it. I am happy to heard that you family is by good health and your girl again. Suzanne and myself are by good health, hoping the same of you. Suzanne hunts is good now. We hope that you will see us before you go home to America. Now I get your other lettre what the picture from Roland Marguerite Suzanne and you and my. I thank you very very much for its. Marguerite have visite us one day. We have speaking very much of you. I am happ that you get my lettre. I wonder we that my lettre have so long if you get it. I have yours quick. If you write home say plise the very best wishes from Suzanne and my. I am moving(?) Wellbrück(?) but be evening I go home. I have hurt my foot. I send you the best greatings[sic] from Suzanne and my. Your sincerely, Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, September 12, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange Septembre 12. 1945. Dear Jim: I was very glad: when I received your letter, my best thanks. On the same line I received the card from Paris and a letter from Skiss Silly and Trousse(?). So I see that you had been in Paris. I have the photos, they are all very beautiful, principal those from you and of ___. The days you had been here had go by too quick and I hope you come back at Redange before you departed to America, you are all lines wellcome. I send you the best greatings [sic] from Suzanne and me, Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, May 21, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 21. mai 1945. Dear Jim: I received a letter from Roland and I was very happy. Now the war is over and so I hope that you come to see us here in Redange. We have now good place in my house. We speak all lines from you, I hope that you are in a good health. Have you received my letter where I said you that I had received the pictures. Leave as soon as possible. Many greatings [sic] from Suzanne and Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, February 2, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 21.2.45. Dear Jim: Would you please let us know how do you do! If you have the occasion to pass in Redange we were happy if you come to our house: we shall be very glad to receive you. Suzanne will make frites and ice-cream for you. We think very often of the agreeable hours we spent in your company. We hope you and your friends in good health. Say our best wishes and greatings [sic] to Sergeant, the Roland and all your friends we know. Dont forget to send us the photos as soon as possible best thanks! There are american [sic] soldiers (red cross) by the fuge. They send my letter to you. We hope to see you the first time in our home. Best greatings [sic] from Suzanne, Marguerithe and my, Mathilde."
WWII scrapbook compiled by James W. Ochs
United States--History, Military
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Scrapbook of photos, brochures, documents, and memorabilia compiled by James W. Ochs of the 26th Infantry Division of the US Army documenting his WWII service.
In Copyright
Photograph album containing 524 black and white photographic prints (3"x4", 2"x"2", and 4"x4") documenting the European travels of James W. Ochs during and post- World War II. The album contains a portrait photo of Ochs, as well as images of French cities and countryside, buildings, street scenes, nature, soldiers, Ochs' friends and acquaintances, a parade and entertainment show, skiing in the Alps, planes and ships. Content Warning: Some photographs in this album depict mass burials, death, and human remains.
James W. Ochs WWII collection, RHC-54
Racetracks (Automobile racing)
Drag racing
Pit crews
Black and white photograph of a group of men gathered around and working on a vehicle at the Onondaga Dragway in Onondaga, Michigan. Scanned from the negative.
Gilbert, Douglas R.
Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183)
Black and white photograph of a group of men gathered around and working on a vehicle at the Onondaga Dragway in Onondaga, Michigan. In the photograph, a men in the foreground can be seen wearing a jackets promoting "Gear Grinders Flint." Scanned from the negative.
Black and white photograph of a few members of a pit crew working on a vehicle at the Onondaga Dragway in Onondaga, Michigan. In the photograph, two men can be seen wearing jackets promoting "Flint Auto City Speedway" and "Gear Grinders Flint." Scanned from the negative.
Black and white photograph of a group of young men gathered among a few parked race cars at the Onondaga Dragway in Onondaga, Michigan. Scanned from the negative.
Black and white photograph of a group of young men spectators watching a drag race along a fence at the Onondaga Dragway in Onondaga, Michigan. Scanned from the negative.