Looking for book recommendations on the C.B.I. Theater

Zachary · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:20 pm

What are a half dozen or so of the "must read" books about the C.B.I. Theater of Operations during WWII? Particularly with a focus on the air war if possible. Thanks!

Zack

Holedigger · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:36 pm

"God is my Copilot" would be a good start, I may have that in paperback around here somewhere. Flying Tigers in China with the USAAF

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

"Over the Hump" Gen. William H. Tunner
"Born to Fly the Hump" - Carl Constein

T33driver · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:59 pm

"Teeth of the Tiger" by Don Lopez.

brucev · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:24 pm

i second Paul, "Into the Teeth of the Tiger" is a great read, as is Don Lopez's follow on book (Fighter Pilots Heaven?)

Russ Blow · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:06 pm

My dad ended the war in China flying C 46's with 300 hours in CBI and 6 Hump trips. He was a member of the Hump Pilots Association and attended many of their reunions. I got a chance to attend one with him and the stories those guys told were amazing. My dad passed away in 2002 and I stayed on as an associate member until they decided to disband due to dwindling membership in 2005 I believe. It is sad we are losing our history one man at a time.

If you ever get a chance try and find some of the old HPA newsletters. Each one was full of stories and information from the CBI Theater. I wish I had saved all of dads now. But if you are doing any research on CBI they would really be of value.

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

I met and got to know MR.R.T.Smith of the AVG.I have an autographed copy of his book"Tale of a Tiger" I think is the title.its burried in some box in storage. Any and all color pictures you see of the original AVG(flying tigers) he took.its a good book and covers what had to be one heck of an adventure.Pre CBI but there

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

and if you wanted to make Mr.RT Smith angry,refer to the 14th airforce as flying tigers

Holedigger · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:39 am

There was just a "Bit" of "Friction" between the veteran AVG and the incoming USAAF... :wink:

robkamm · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:35 am

i liked this book. its call flying giants. its really about the b29 but it goes into CBI with some good stories.

TonyM · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:37 am

Flying Tigers
by
Daniel Ford

Flying the Hump
by
Don Downie w/ Jeff Ethell

The B-24 in China
by
Feuer

TM

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

I cant imagine what it was like flying the hump into china.we all glorify the fighter pilots,bomber pilots and gunners and basically ignore the poor guys flying cargo so the bombers and fighters could grab the glory.I'm sure that on a sunny day,you can see the sparkle of sunlight reflecting off all of the aluminium scattered all along the Himalaya's

Russ Blow · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:02 pm

agent86 wrote:

I cant imagine what it was like flying the hump into china.we all glorify the fighter pilots,bomber pilots and gunners and basically ignore the poor guys flying cargo so the bombers and fighters could grab the glory.I'm sure that on a sunny day,you can see the sparkle of sunlight reflecting off all of the aluminium scattered all along the Himalaya's

I asked my dad once if it bothered him that the fighter and bomber guys got all the attention and most people had no clue what the hump was or for that matter what a C 46 was. All he said was " we did our job and thats all that matters " and that was the end of it. The only time they would talk about it for the most part was at regional and national reunions or in their newsletters.

I look back now and realize a 20 year old kid was flying a 4000 hp aircraft full of aviation fuel over the Himalayan mountains knowing that an engine out meant pretty much certain death. And at 20 my biggest worry was what girl I was going to take to a party next weekend. Quite humbling.

Holedigger · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:42 pm

With 594 aircraft lost, missing or written off, and 1,659 personnel killed or missing, "Flying the Hump" was a dangerous theater in and of itself. Their bravery and skill allowed forward units to take the fight to the enemy.

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

the thought of flying a C-46 or C-47,overloaded with some deadly cargo,trying to climb over those mountain passes scares me more than being a fighter pilot in a major tangle.Those mountains are not mere foothills and it took every available horsepower and ft pound of torque to clear them.no thank you

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