Originally Posted by Ptarmigan
My grandfather was a radioman in C-47s during WWII, flying the hump bringing supplies into China. Sounded like some real sketchy terrain to fly through.

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I’ll bet he knew my uncle Jack. He too, was a radioman “flying the hump”. I got to spend a day with him a few years ago and listen to his stories. He said that when they left the airfield in India, the temps would usually be in the triple digits and they were soaked with sweat. They had to follow a river, flying just above the water to avoid Jap Zeroes. When they got clear of the danger area they climbed as fast as they could to get some altitude to avoid the Zeroes and they had to towel off and climb into their leather and sheepskin flight suits to stand the minus 50* temps over the Himalayas.

“My horn is full and my pouch is stocked with ball and patch. There is a new, sharp flint in my lock and my rifle and I are ready. It is sighted true and my eyes can still aim.”
Kaywoodie