Soviet Volunteer Group

Soviet Volunteer Group
Советские добровольцы в Китае
Soviet aviators at Hankou airfield
Active1937–1941
Country Soviet Union
Allegiance Republic of China
Branch Nationalist Chinese Air Force
Size3,665 pilots and ground crew (peak)
Garrison/HQNanjing
Nanchang
Lanzhou
EngagementsSecond Sino-Japanese War
Aircraft flown
BomberTupolev TB-3, Tupolev SB
FighterPolikarpov I-16, Polikarpov I-15

The Soviet Volunteer Group was the volunteer part of the Soviet Air Forces sent to support the Republic of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War between 1937 and 1941. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was signed leading to considerable Soviet military assistance to China, including the volunteer squadrons. China paid for the support with raw materials.