Flying Tigers Over Cambodia: An American Pilot's Memoir of the 1975 Phnom Penh Airlift

by Larry Partridge

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786450619
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	12/12/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	204
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Retired pilot Larry Partridge lives in Washington.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface 1
Prologue 5

1 March 1975 7
2 March 1975 9
3 March 1975 18
4 March 1975 23
5 March 1975 28
6 March 1975 32
7 March 1975 38
8 March 1975 42
9 March 1975 46
10 March 1975 51
11 March 1975 64
12 March 1975 78
13 March 1975 88
14 March 1975 92
15 March 1975 103
16 March 1975 112
17 March 1975 124
18 March 1975 130
19 March 1975 139
20 March 1975 145
21 March 1975 152
22 March 1975 163
23 March 1975 172
24 March 1975 177
25 March 1975 185

Epilogue 187
Appendix I: “Last Khmer Rouge Forces Surrender” 189
Appendix II: Important Aircraft Mentioned in Text 191
Index 193

Editorial Reviews

riveting...a remarkable, highly recommended story of courage and necessity in the battlefields of Cambodia and Viet Nam”—Midwest Book Review; “it is a well-written exciting book”—Military Review; “unique...exceedingly human and humane story...remarkable...heroic...heartwarming”—Brothers Judd; “a well-balanced account...unique”—Khmer Institute; “one of those books that you will not want to put down”—Airways Magazine; “Unique...invaluable. The author gives us a ‘jump seat’ view of this epic event.”—Art Chin, Author of Anything, Anytime, Anywhere and The Seaboard Saga.

From the Publisher