Flying Tigers Over Cambodia

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.

Retired pilot Larry Partridge lives in Washington.

Larry Partridge
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 204
Bibliographic Info: photos, maps, appendices, index
Copyright Date: 2001
pISBN: 978-0-7864-0768-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5061-9
Imprint: McFarland

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

“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.