The Hump 1942-45: America's first massive military airlift: 58 (Air Campaign)

A comprehensively illustrated history and analysis of 'The Hump' campaign in World War II, the huge and treacherous airlift over the Himalayas to keep China fighting. In World War II, the war in China tied down much of the Japanese Army, and it was crucial to keep China fighting and supplied.But when the Burma Road fell, the only way left was by air, in piston-engined transports, over the Himalayas from India.As Japan captured new bases and stationed fighters to intercept, the possible routes over 'The Hump' became increasingly treacherous.In this book, aviation historian Mark Lardas explains how the campaign was fought.While the effort started with only 25 transports and its original organization was ad hoc, by July 1945 it had grown into a vast and organized air armada, with new airfields, specialized navigation aids, and a force of 640 aircraft.The cost was high, with 594 aircraft lost, and over 1,300 killed.But during the war it hauled nearly 700,000 tons of supplies, keeping China