Plan your Chongqing tour? Chongqing was the Wartime Capital of China during the anti-Japanese war (World War II). No matter you are a history buff or not, it is an interesting experience to have a short trip to the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell (aka Flying Tiger Museum in Chongqing).
A part of the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell has turned into the Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell former Residence
The entrance to the compound of the former namesake residence converted General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum.
General Joseph W Stilwell contributed a lot to China’s successful flight against the Japanese aggression.
On October 19, 1944, Stilwell was recalled from his command by President Franklin D. Roosevelt partly due to the power struggle over the China Theater that appeared among Stilwell, Claire Lee Chennault , and Chiang Kai-Shek. Especially his blunt confrontation with Chiang finally led to Chiang’s determination to have Stilwell recalled to the United States.
A bust of General Joseph on the compound along the Yangtze River.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell served as Chief of Staff in the China-Burma-India Theater as well as the Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek in 1942 during the Second World War.
A huge stone opened book carved with words both in Chinese and English meaning:
To the name of the people of the United States of America
I present this scroll to the City of Chungking (Chongqing)
As a symbol of our admiration for its brave men, women and children. Under blasts from the terror from the air, even in the days before the world at large had known this terror, Chungking and its people held out firm and unconquered.
They proved gloriously that terrorism cannot destroy the spirit of a people determined to be free. Their fidelity to the cause of freedom will inspire the hearts of all generations.
Franklin D Roosevelt
May 17th, 1944
In the compound, I also noticed the inscriptions carved on a square stone column in English and Chinese:
” With the guns silent and the smoke faded, it is the historical friendship and our memory that will last forever“.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell’s former residence in Chongqing has now been converted to the General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum in his honor. The museum began to be opened to the public in 1991.
Stilwell died of stomach cancer on October 12, 1946. His ashes were scattered on the Pacific Ocean. A cenotaph was placed at the West Point Cemetery.
Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing
A part of the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell has been turned into the Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing.
The Flying Tigers fought against the much stronger Japanese Air Force during the WW II. The Flying Tigers are credited with destroying as many as 497 Japanese planes at a cost of only 73 of their own.
The entrance to the Flying Tiger Museum housed in the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell now has been converted to a museum of the namesake.
Flying Tigers was the nickname of the first American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, commanded by Claire Lee Chennault.
Equally famous is their brilliant and controversial commander, Claire L. Chennault, whose genius for leadership in the face of overwhelming odds made him a hero in the United States as well as in China.
Chennault was a unique individual who could inspire great accomplishments from all those who served under him.
In creating his legendary group of airmen-composed of former U.S. Navy, Marine and Army Air Corps pilots who quietly entered China posing as artists and missionaries-Chennault established his own version of an ideal mercenary band. (from Hinstrynet)
For more information on General Chennaul, check out Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.
For more information on Flying Tigers, please check out the Flying Tigers’ official website .
Tue to Sun ( Monday closed)
9:00 – 17:00 ( Ticketing till 16:30)
The address for General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum:
English: No.63, Jialing Xinlu, Yuzhong District, Chongqing.
Tel: (023)63872794, 63609515
A letter from our dear reader Suan:
My father was a Radio Technician at Flying Tiger airbases in Kunming, Guiyang and Chongqing. He served under Chennault’s U.S. 14th Air Force 14th Air Services. He flew over the Hump in January 1944. I’m disappointed there is no pictures or information on the thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945. The 14th Air Force 14th Air Services group contributed to the Flying Tiger Memorial Gate in Taishan, Guangdong, China. The gate is dedicated to all Chinese Americans who served in WWII in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945.
Tip: Hassle-free Chongqing Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Chongqing:
Top 10 Attractions in Chongqing
Best Time to Visit Chongqing
Ciqikou Old Town
Flying Tigers Museum
Yangtze River Cruise Daily Schedule – Victoria Cruises
Zhazidong prison, the site of Zhazidong Prison
Three Gorges Museum
Chongqing People’ Hall
Any questions, just drop a line.