The 1st Air Commando Group was formed to support British Brigadier Orde Wingate's second "Chindit" operation in Burma. In February 1944 20,000 British and Commonwealth troops were dropped deep behind Japanese lines to disrupt enemy bases and communications. For this to work air support was vital. The RAF couldn't or wouldn't give Wingate the support he needed. However the 1st ACG proved very effective, working closely with the ground troops providing fighter cover, reconnaissance, transport and "aerial artillery". Such was the 1st ACG's control of the air that not one transport aircraft was shot down during the whole operation.
The 1st ACG were a mixed unit consisting of P-47 and P-51 fighters, B-25Hs, C-47 transports and L-5 cooperation aircraft. Their aircraft all carried a distinctive five diagonal stripe ID marking on the fuselage.

