Flying Tigers Over Cambodia

Book excerpt: At the end of World War II, a number of former American military pilots formed the “Flying Tiger Line,” which soon became the world’s leading airfreight company. Its motto of “Anything, anytime, anywhere” was especially applicable in its humanitarian projects. In 1975, the Flying Tigers took part in relief efforts for Cambodians surrounded by Khmer Rouge forces. The “Ricelift” exposed the Tiger pilots to enormous risk. Though they were technically “noncombatants,” all this really meant was that they couldn’t shoot back. This is the memoir of Larry Partridge who, in his plane, nicknamed “Nancy” after his wife, flew 52 missions into Phnom Penh, delivering rice and other supplies in hostile conditions. After the collapse of Saigon and the victory of the Khmer Rouge, the ricelifts ceased. This account, from a Tiger’s-eye view, includes both history and human drama in a remarkable but completely true story.