358 “AVG” Survivals Back to Chengdu Displayed in the New Hall of Chengdu Museum
Release Time: 2017-11-02
Whenever speaking of the “AVG” in World War II, Chengdu is the city we have to mention. On the morning of Jun. 23, a donation ceremony was held in Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum, on which, Mr. Pedro Chan donated 358 survivals of the World War II, which mainly included the military objects, private letters, journals and materials of the 14th ground force and the 20th air force of the Unites States. As both forces were closely related with Chengdu, the donation was quite concerned. Chan said, “all those collections were at his own account. They cost little since they were collected when the American economy was in depression. That I can do something meaningful for China is my proud.”
The only “AVG” letter home
At the donation, the reporter saw the witnesses of the war in which the Chinese people cooperated with the American army, including the 10 letters home by the “AVG” members of the 14th air force. Those letters were so important for they were the only in the world.
In addition, there were also some air-drop leaflets of Japan, and leaflets to induce to capitulate and the blood chits in Chinese. Generally blood chits were attached on the back of soldiers, saying “this is a foreigner coming to China for the help in the war (American) that you shall help and save him” in Chinese under the flag. In battles, emergencies often happened. Few of the American soldiers spoke Chinese so the words provided them timely rescue. The American government also printed some teaching texts about simple Chinese terms, like male, female, no smoking and no parking, etc.
A long scarf with the “AGV” logo raised the most attention on site since there was a sentence in English (to the sweetest girl in the world). “This scarf shall be related to a beautiful love story,” Chan introduced.
Why donated: they were closely related to Chengdu
It is learned that Pedro Chan, a native of Fanyu, Guangdong, was also the chairman of World Association of Cantonese, Southern California. His collection of survivals of World War II started in 2007 and now thousands of collections were donated to the National Library of China, and cultural and museum institutions in Chongqing, Kunming, Guilin and Zhijiang. This donation was closely related to Chengdu. Chan recalled, “at that time (the World War II), Chengdu was also a key base of the ground and air forces of the America where they stayed for almost 1 year with help from the local, including airport construction, rest house building, comfort activities and rescue. In daily life, they kept an equal and harmonious relationship and established profound friendship to make huge contribution to the victory of the World War II.”
Those materials will be collected in the Chengdu Museum forever. When interviewed by a report from the West China Metropolis Daily, Li Mingbin, the deputy curator of Chengdu Museum said, “those collections donated by Chan will be exhibited in the part of “Modern Situation” (from the Revolution of 1911 to the Peaceful Liberation of Chengdu) on the exhibition held to celebrate the opening of the new museum for visitors to appreciate.
History
Chengdu, the camp of AVG
The 14th air force of the United States was known as the “AVG” in the past. The full name is American Volunteer Group or American Volunteer Air Force Assisting the Chinese Air Force”. The force mostly fought against Japan in China and Burma after being incorporated when America declared war against Japan. In 1943, it was renamed at the 14th air force of the American ground force to implement the med at the 14e full name is American Volunteer Group or American Volunteer Air Force Assisting the Chinese Air Force”. The force mostly fought against a batch of military airports was established in Sichuan especially around Chengdu to accommodate the 20th and 14th air forces (Huaxi storm troops). Chengdu was then the most important base of the air forces of the American ground force during the World War II.
