The "Rice Paddy Navy" or "What-the-Hell Gang" operated in the China-Burma-India theatre, advising and training, forecasting weather and scouting landing areas for USN fleet and General Claire Lee Chennault's 14th AF, rescuing downed American flyers, and intercepting Japanese radio traffic. An underlying mission objective during the last year of war was the development and preparation of the China coast for Allied penetration and occupation.
The "Rice Paddy Navy" or "What-the-Hell Gang," operating in the China-Burma-India theater, provided crucial support to the US military by advising and training local forces, forecasting weather and scouting landing areas, rescuing downed American pilots, and intercepting Japanese communications. Their primary objective during the final year of the war was to prepare the Chinese coast for Allied invasion and occupation.