| Publication |
2012.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have underscored the
importance of airlift as an element of air power. On display has been
the formidable airlift capability of the US - the ability to deliver
almost anything, anywhere, anytime. The foundation of this massive
capability was laid during World War II. The fall of Rangoon to the
Japanese, and the eventual blocking of Burma Road in March 1942
had disrupted the supply lines, leaving airlift as the only option to
maintain the forces in China. Failure to supply would risk substantial
Chinese territory to the Japanese and, more importantly, a defeat
in China would relieve a part of the more than one million strong
Japanese force, to cause havoc elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Hump
1
airlift stands out for the dogged determination of the
aircrew who flew under extreme conditions and hauled tonnes of
supplies, equipment, vehicles, arms, ammunition and thousands of
personnel across the Himalayas from India to China.
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