Sold – Chennault Says the Folks at Home Are Doing Their Part to Win the War

"You keep the home fires burning and we will tend to the fires under the Japs and Germans".

This document has been sold. Contact Us

Founder of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China. Recruited as an instructor and adviser for the Chinese Air Force in 1937, he became Chiang Kai Shek’s chief of staff for air. With his aid China obtained 100 American pursuit planes and 100 American pilots, who were recruited from the U.S....

Read More

Sold – Chennault Says the Folks at Home Are Doing Their Part to Win the War

"You keep the home fires burning and we will tend to the fires under the Japs and Germans".

Founder of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China. Recruited as an instructor and adviser for the Chinese Air Force in 1937, he became Chiang Kai Shek’s chief of staff for air. With his aid China obtained 100 American pursuit planes and 100 American pilots, who were recruited from the U.S. armed services. The Tigers were China’s only effective air arm from their first combat in December, 1941 to mid 1942, destroying some 300 Japanese planes. Chennault played an important part in defense of the Burma Road, and conceived of flying supplies from India to China over what was termed “the Hump.” He was recalled to active duty as a general in the U.S. Army, and was given command of the U.S. 14th Air Force, which succeeded in destroying over a million tons of Japanese shipping, limiting their once formidable sea power.

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page large 4to, July 13, 1944 to a friend named Peggy. “The wonderful box arrived yesterday with all contents in good condition. I wish you could have seen the real happiness it brought. But why did you take the trouble to include some items for me when it was so much trouble to get all the other items together? The new Yello Bole [a pipe] tobacco pouch and books were greatly appreciated…Peggy I am very grateful to you for all the trouble you took to get these things together and send them out here. The lady involved is the daughter of a wealthy Chinese family in Shanghai and now the wife of an instructor in radio at one of our training schools. She evacuated Shanghai and Hong Kong just before the Jap attacked the latter….Incidentally I have known her for about 6 years and she has been a loyal supporter and friend all that time…She would hardly take the box before paying me…The Chinese are that way you know…You may Ôdo’ a head of me if you want – or a foot or a hand. Remember you once said you thought my hands were Ôyoung.’ None of me will be young by the time you see me again…You take things easy now and keep your shirt on and your pressure down. You are helping plenty to win this war and we are doing fine. You keep the home fires burning and we will tend to the fires under the Japs and Germans…Claire.”

The armed forces did as Chennault stated, winning the war in little more than a year.

Frame, Display, Preserve

Each frame is custom constructed, using only proper museum archival materials. This includes:The finest frames, tailored to match the document you have chosen. These can period style, antiqued, gilded, wood, etc. Fabric mats, including silk and satin, as well as museum mat board with hand painted bevels. Attachment of the document to the matting to ensure its protection. This "hinging" is done according to archival standards. Protective "glass," or Tru Vue Optium Acrylic glazing, which is shatter resistant, 99% UV protective, and anti-reflective. You benefit from our decades of experience in designing and creating beautiful, compelling, and protective framed historical documents.

Learn more about our Framing Services