The Chinese-American Composite Wing’s Air Battle during Operation Ichi-Go

Abstract This article examines the role of the Chinese-American Composite Wing ( cacw ) in air battles during Operation Ichi-Go, a pivotal campaign in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The cacw was established in October 1943 under the joint command of the United States Army Air Forces ( usaaf ) and the Chinese Nationalist Air Force ( cnaf ). It comprised both fighter and bomber units from the two forces, tasked with securing air supremacy, disrupting Japanese supply lines, and providing air support to the National Revolutionary Army ( nra ). The operation saw major engagements in North China and the Yangtze River region, where the cacw faced fierce resistance from the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ( jaaf ). Despite numerical parity between the opposing forces, the Allies capitalised on superior tactics, including the ‘Air Guerrilla’ strategy and seamless coordination between cnaf and usaaf units, which ultimately led to the jaaf ’s defeat. This article provides a comparative analysis of the cacw ’s air combat performance, examining its key victories, losses, and overall strategic impact in achieving air superiority within the China-Burma-India Theatre. Drawing upon archival records from both Allied and Japanese sources, this study underscores the crucial contributions of the cacw to the broader success of Allied operations and highlights the significance of Sino-American military cooperation during the Second World War.