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:	9780786407682
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	12/26/2000
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.41(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Retired pilot Larry Partridge lives in Washington.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface    
Prologue    

1 March 1975    
2 March 1975    
3 March 1975    
4 March 1975    
5 March 1975    
6 March 1975    
7 March 1975    
8 March 1975    
9 March 1975    
10 March 1975    
11 March 1975    
12 March 1975    
13 March 1975    
14 March 1975    
15 March 1975    
16 March 1975    
17 March 1975    
18 March 1975    
19 March 1975    
20 March 1975    
21 March 1975    
22 March 1975    
23 March 1975    
24 March 1975    
25 March 1975    

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

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

unique...exceedingly human and humane story...remarkable...heroic...heartwarming

Brothers Judd

it is a well-written exciting book

Military Review

riveting...a remarkable, highly recommended story of courage and necessity in the battlefields of Cambodia and Viet Nam

Midwest Book Review

In 1975, as the Khmer Rouge closed in on Phnom Penh, USAID hired the Flying Tiger Line to deliver rice into the besieged city. By March, Phnom Penh's Pochentong airport had come within range of rebel rockets and artillery, and normal air traffic ceased. Aside from a handful of old T-28s flying air support, the only flights in or out provided emergency aid. As the stranglehold tightened, this "ricelift" became a critical lifeline for the crowded, desperate city.

Who in their right mind would pilot an unarmed 187-foot-long commercial jet into the middle of a siege? If you want to know the answer, read Larry Partridge's "Flying Tigers over Cambodia". In March 1975, Partridge volunteered for the Phnom Penh ricelift. The mission: fly out of Saigon with as much rice as their DC-8 could carry. Unload as quickly as possible. Fly back. Load up. Do it again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Partridge eloquently describes the surreal nature of a closing chapter of history. The book captures a feeling that is hard to describe: It's a paradoxical sense of being anchored to Southeast Asia, and yet not really belonging there at all.
— www.mekong.net

Bruce Sharp