623. CLAIRE L. CHENNAULT (1890 - 1958) American Army aviator who established the volunteer-staffed Flying Tigers to fight the Japanese invasion of China. He has also been (unofficially) credited with over 40 "kills". Rare, superb content war-date A.L.S. "C.L.C.", 3pp. 4to., [China], Oct. 29, 1944 to his girlfriend Peggy. In small part: "...I am going to call 'Time Out' on this war for a few minutes...my mind has been a complete blank for several months...the devils [Japanese] have been pushing us around quite a bit. However, they are paying for every foot they advance and for every airfield I've had to abandon, eight to date. My men are killing them by the thousands but they keep on coming, slowly but surely. Thing that hurts them more than loss of men is the shipping we sink and damage...there will be a lot fewer Japs in Tokyo when we get there...I have dozens of paintings, banners, cups and other trophies...Don't know about war correspondent friend coming out here. They aren't so popular just now...they are showing too much concern about politics..." Chennault also includes a list of items he'd like Peggy to purchase for a lady married to a radio officer, and concludes: "Keep your chin up and tummy in - they can't whip us, can they?". Fine condition. 1,000 - 1,500