本文所討論之對象為飛虎將軍陳納德於戰後中國成立的民航公司，民航空運隊（Civil Air Transport, CAT）。本文將從其創立過程以及日後正式營運之後的發展作一討論，並從這家在戰後中國具有重要地位的民航公司身上，瞭解航空運輸在戰後中國所扮演的重要角色。 民航空運隊成立之目的原為中國善後救濟計畫下的臨時空運機構，利用快速、便捷的航空運輸載運各項救濟物資與人員。但隨著國共內戰的白熱化，陸上交通設施無法發揮功效，不管是政府、軍方或者是民間，對於空運的需求日益迫切，民航空運隊正好趕上此波空運需求的高潮，不斷地為中華民國政府控制區內的圍城、困軍、飢民提供生死攸關的空中補給，該隊也由原本臨時性的空運機構得以改制為政府特許經營的民航公司。此外，當中華民國政府在中國大陸節節敗退之時，陳納德一反當時與中華民國政府保持距離的美國對華政策，以強烈的反共言論和實際的行動支援中華民國政府的戡亂作戰。陳納德的相關作為與戰後嚴峻的中美關係實為一強烈的對比。當美國政府發表中美關係白皮書時，民航空運隊仍為國軍運送糧彈軍餉，陳納德的反共意識與支持中華民國政府的態度，藉由經營民航空運隊而展露無疑。 本文廣泛利用兩岸與美國之檔案史料，針對民航空運隊所做的研究得到以下成果：一、民航空運隊由中國善後救濟計畫發跡，但真正讓其價值得到彰顯，卻是因其積極參與中國各地的空運行動；二、民航空運隊由臨時性的空運機構轉變成為政府特許經營的民航公司之關鍵，在於其大力為中華民國政府提供空運服務，尤其是支援國軍在各地之作戰；三、儘管國軍在中國大陸不斷敗退，但陳納德始終力主反共戰略，也試圖在中國西北和西南等地持續為各地的反共勢力提供軍經援助，這一工作全仰賴民航空運隊執行。 This dissertation focuses on Civil Air Transport (CAT) a civil aviation corporation founded by Claire Lee Chennault, General of American Volunteer Group(1893-1958) after the Chinese Civil War. This dissertation discusses its process of establishment and of development, and its changing role after the War. Since its inauguration, the CAT was a temporary unit of air transportation in the China Relief and Rehabilitation plan. The purpose was to rapid deliver aids and personnel by air. However, because of the Civil War, land transportation was forced to stop . The ROC government, the military and the private sectors had an urgent need of air transportation. The CAT met this need and provided the ROC government with adequate help so that the temporary CAT could transform to a civil aviation. Furthermore, standing on the opposite stance against the US government’s China policy, Chennault strongly supported the government by his public anti-communist speeches and practical actions. This also clearly examines the difficulties of post-war Sino-American relations. The CAT still transported aids for the ROC army, after the China White Paper was announced. The CAT history could illustrate Chennault’s anti-communist stance and his firm support to the ROC government. The primary materials of this dissertation are from several major historical archives in the US, mainland China and Taiwan. This dissertation contributes the historical field by the following new research results. Firstly, although the CAT was a sub-project in the China Relief and Rehabilitation plan originally, its influence covered the entire air transportation. Secondly, the main reason why the CAT became an official ratified civil aviation corporation was its air transportation for the wartime ROC government. Thirdly, although the government could not stop the Chinese Communists’ aggression, Chennault still firmly stood on anti-communist stance and endeavoured to maintain the constant transportation capacity for military and economic expense in north-western and south-western China.
