Major General Claire Lee Chennault, in command of the 14th Air Force and formerly of the American Volunteer Group, envisioned and implemented his grand experiment--the Chinese-American Composite Wing. His purposes were to rehabilitate the Chinese Air Force fighting under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, head of the Republic of China, and to provide good will and understanding between the Chinese and Americans for the future. The CACW proved to be enormously successful and played a key role in defeating the Japanese invaders.

Following their evacuation from Kweilin (Guilin), the 3rd Bomb Squadron moved to Peishiyi Field near Chungking (Chonqing). Previously used by the American Volunteer Group, the facilities were dilapidated, chilly, and crowded. Supplies of all kinds, including gas and food, were in short supply, and menus generally comprised such unfamiliar and unappealing choices as water buffalo meat. "We didn't get food and supplies until the war in Europe was over."