Western volunteers and advisors 1937-1945

[FinMC]

I am interested in exploring the extent to which Western volunteers and advisors operated in China during the 2nd Sino-Japanese war and as part of WW2.

I am aware of Otto Braun and his role within the Communist leadership, as well as non-combat foreigners like Edgar Snow and Western missionaries. However, I would like to know whether there were any western volunteers into any of the Chinese factions militaries? Such as there was in the Spanish Civil War.

I would also like to know to what extent US advisors were involved in China after the US entered WW2. I know of course about the 'Flying Tigers' and Joseph Stillwell's co-operation with Chiang Kai-shek - but did US advisors become involved in any of the combat formations of the Chinese KMT military?

I would appreciate anyone's knowledge of this.

[AllenM]

This book tells the story of the construction of airfields in China for the B-29 bomber, and includes mission details.

https://www.amazon.com/Superfortress-Ch ... 1487800940

[79seconds]

Some western experts were helping the 8th Route Army and New 4th Army (communist armies) by offering expertise of combat medical service (such as Canadian Norman Bethune, American George Hatem, Indian Kwarkanath Kotnis and Bejoy Basu, German Hans Müller, Austrian Richard Stein and Jakob Rosenfeld, Russian Andre Alov, etc) and signals (such as British Lord Michael Linsay). And some westerners even KIA as a soldier or war journalist in communist armies against Japanese troops. if you are interested, i can share more details.

rgds
jon

[kulasec]

There were Spring 1938 established a 14. international volunteer squadron in Hankow with some french, dutch, americans and australian pilots,m equipped with Northop 2E Gamma, Vultee V-11 G and two Martin 139 WC. But after 4 monts disbanded after an accident.

[daveshoup2MD]

I am interested in exploring the extent to which Western volunteers and advisors operated in China during the 2nd Sino-Japanese war and as part of WW2.

I am aware of Otto Braun and his role within the Communist leadership, as well as non-combat foreigners like Edgar Snow and Western missionaries. However, I would like to know whether there were any western volunteers into any of the Chinese factions militaries? Such as there was in the Spanish Civil War.

I would also like to know to what extent US advisors were involved in China after the US entered WW2. I know of course about the 'Flying Tigers' and Joseph Stillwell's co-operation with Chiang Kai-shek - but did US advisors become involved in any of the combat formations of the Chinese KMT military?

I would appreciate anyone's knowledge of this.

Here's a reasonable overview from the US perspective: The United States and China During World War II: An Operational Outline

https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/ou ... l-outline/

Additional resources:
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide ... s/493.html

When you ask "did US advisors become involved in any of the combat formations of the Chinese KMT military?" are you unaware of the US role in sustaining the Chinese (ROC) expeditionary force in India, and the complimentary efforts by the US in unoccupied China? See:

https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelv ... burin.html

STILWELL'S MISSION TO CHINA
STILWELL'S COMMAND PROBLEMS
TIME RUNS OUT IN CBI

There are complimentary works on the histories of US 10th and 14th air forces, and of the USN's operations in China in 1941-45, as well. To start on the Naval Group China, see:

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/l ... /saco.html

Here's something to begin with on the USAAF:

https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2 ... 05-012.pdf