The True Story of the China-Burma-India Theater in WWII, its dangers & personal conflicts
"Skies of Thunder: The Deadly WWII Mission Over the Roof of the World" by Caroline Alexander (Viking)
During a research expedition for the National Geographic in Myanmar, Alexander discovered that the strange, jagged pieces of metal fencing off the villager’s gardens were made from pieces of fuselage from old WWII planes, and that the lush jungle that surrounded them was hiding a graveyard of over 600 crashed cargo planes. During the war, the northern region of the country had witnessed some of the most intense battles between the Allies and the Japanese and when the ground routes were cut off, the only way to get supplies into China was by air. The route, known as “the Hump” was the most hazardous air route in the world and hundreds of planes would meet their end along the path. In SKIES OF THUNDER, Alexander pieces together a comprehensive history of the circumstances surrounded this obscure campaign of WWII and the incredible feats of courage that these pilots displayed.
Untested Pilots: The best pilots were co-opted for combat missions, leaving the most undertrained and less skilled pilots, mostly lacking instrument training, to take on “the Hump”. The pilots assigned to fly the Hump had a challenging role as they essentially acted as test pilots for a risky and experimental operation. The aircrafts they flew, the navigation and communication systems they used, and even the weather reporting methods were all in the experimental stages. At that time, the existence of a weather phenomenon known as "the jet stream" was not even known. This highlights the uncertain and dangerous nature of their mission, as they had to navigate a terrain filled with the jagged peaks of the Himalayas with planes that barely cleared the minimum flight ceiling, ice-filled skies, and monstrous winds with limited information and resources. The path these brave pilots paved is known today as “the aluminum trail” due to the numerous crashed planes, totaling over 600, that remain scattered throughout the jungle.
Evolution of aviation: The evolution of the Hump operation provides a captivating insight into the transition from the pre-aviation era to the advancements of the 21st century. In 1939, when China was isolated from all seaports, the only viable option was to construct a basic overland road, known as the Burma Road, for supply purposes. However, by the end of the war, the Hump operation had revolutionized aviation infrastructure and transformed the way wars were fought. It brought about significant advancements in aviation technology and logistics, paving the way for modern aviation practices. This remarkable transformation highlights the impact and significance of the Hump operation in shaping the course of history.
Media-Created Heroes: During the war, there was a persistent pro-China lobby that propagated a false narrative of "heroes" to the American public. Prominent figures such as Henry Luce, the influential magazine magnate behind Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, utilized his media power to shape public opinion. Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of China's National Revolutionary Army, was portrayed as a heroic figure in his fight against Japan, despite controversies surrounding his leadership. General Stilwell, known as "Vinegar Joe," faced criticism for his mistreatment of troops. Even Claire Chennault, the renowned Flying Tiger pilot, was suspected by the FBI of involvement in smuggling activities.
Building of the Ledo Road: The creation of the Ledo Road during World War II is considered a remarkable engineering achievement, despite its limited impact on the war against Japan. Interestingly, the majority of the men involved in its construction, estimated to be as high as 90%, were African American. This raises the question of why there are relatively few personal accounts of their experiences. There are no written memoirs, only fragments of memories in oral histories, and no organized veteran association like the "Ledo Road Association." However, Caroline has created a cohesive narrative of the soldiers' experiences by collecting and utilizing the limited available material from various sources.
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