Strana 36
P-40E, Col. Bruce K. Holloway, CO of 23rd FG, Kweilin, China, 1942
P-40E, Lt. Col. John S. Chennault, 11th FS, 343rd FG, Umnak Island,
Aleutian Islands, autumn 1942
Bruce Keener Holloway was born on September
1, 1912, in Knoxwille, Tennessee and graduated
from the United States Military Academy (West
Point) in 1937 and received his pilot wings in
1938. Holloway then served with 6th PS, 18th PG,
in Hawaii prior to his studies in aeronautical en-
gineering. After that, he was sent to Chungking,
China, to begin his combat experience as a figh-
ter pilot with the Flying Tigers of the American
Volunteer Group. When the AVG was disbanded
in July 1942, the 23rd FG was formed and Ho-
lloway assumed command of the group in Ja-
nuary 1943 from Robert L. Scott. During his stay
in China, Holloway shot down 13 enemies and
returned to USA in 1944. He stayed in the service,
graduated from the National War College in 1951
and progressed through ranks and key positions
of USAF. Already a General, he took command
of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe in July 1965 and
stayed there until his assignment as Vice Chief
of Staff of the United States Air Force, positi-
on he held from August 1, 1966. Still not at the
end of his career, he became commander-in-
-chief of the Strategic Air Command on August 1,
1968, and kept that post until retirement on April
30, 1972. General Holloway passed away at the
age of 87 in Orlando, Florida on September 30,
1999. His P-40E portrayed here sported several
repairs and changes to the original markings,
including fresh overpaints by British camouflage
colors and repair by Olive Drab on the starboard
side of the nose, including the spinner.
As one of ten children of famous Claire Lee Che-
nnault, the leader of the Flying Tigers of Ameri-
can Volunteer Group, John Stephen “Jack” Che-
nnault, born on May 20, 1913, in Eudora, Arkansas,
followed the steps of his father and became CO
of the 343rd Fighter Group. The unit was activa-
ted on September 3, 1942, in Alaska and Lt. Col.
John Chennault became its first commander ei-
ght days later. He kept the position until Novem-
ber 16 of the same year. He managed to shoot
down one Zero and also heavily damaged a Ja-
panese submarine. However, he probably achie-
ved both victories flying P-38. The 343rd FG
became well-known as the Aleutian Tigers with
stylized tiger heads adorning the noses of their
P-40s. In a baren and small outpost on the edge
of the Pacific, the 343rd was tasked with the
elimination of the Japanese from the Attu and
Kiska islands in the western Aleutians. Under
Chennault’s command, the 343rd FG showcased
remarkable effectiveness in air combat, embo-
dying the same spirit of adaptability and tactical
ingenuity his father had demonstrated. John
Chennault passed away on December 4, 1977,
at the age of 64.
KITS 03/2025
INFO Eduard36
March 2025