Veterans stories

historybuff · 25-06-2008, 03:19 AM

About 25 years ago, I met and befriended a Canadian veteran who had served in Burma. He had the most remarkable stories of "flying the Hump". His unit even had a book of photos, and he had a story for every one. I also met a man we affectionately called "Commodore" because of his service on a Canadian corvette escorting convoys across the Atlantic. Again, the most remarkable stories, most of which go untold in history books...
If I could gather some stories which have been handed down from coastwatchers in the South Pacific, I would be glad to receive them.

If anyone would like me to relate the stories I know, please contact me...

historybuff · 26-06-2008, 01:18 AM

Is it OK if I answer myself? I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if I don't have any immediate links to the military, although my daughter is a member of the Reserves. As a former (and ongoing) student of Canadian history, I have a good base of knowledge of many of the theatres, as well as the various services, mostly because I feel that a great deal of historical emphasis has been placed on the land and air forces, as the newspeople (men) of the day reported on these aspects more frequently (no satellite transmissions then, etc...)

Steve from Waterloo, ON

Harry Ree · 26-06-2008, 10:02 AM

"Flying the Hump" Wasn't this the air supply operations from Northern India and unoccuppied Nothern Burma over the Himalayas to supply and maintain the Chinese offensive against Japanese expansion and keep the Chinese in the war?

The transport aircraft used, were mostly C47s but were supplemented by C46s.The "Burma Road" after it was constructed became a major feature of achieving a foothold in China for USAAF B29 bases, from which the USAAF were able to start the bombing offensive against the Japanese mainland to compliment the B29 operations from the forward Pacific island bases.

The Allies could not win the war by their China operations alone but China was another front that the Japanese Imperial Army had to man and supply.A running sore for them it would prove.

Regarding news from any war front in Britain to the population.The civil population had to be satisfied what film reports were released by the vetted agencies such as the Gaumont News and what was released by officially censored newspaper reports.The Ministry of Information controlled all reporting I believe.

historybuff · 08-07-2008, 03:31 AM

You are right about the C47s, they were marvelous aircraft, and the crews that flew them...
If I'm not mistaken, one of the other reasons for flying supplies was because the Japanese controlled the rail link which the Allies would have used had it been in their control. I think the bridge on the River Kwai is even part of this somehow. I'll do more research....

25-06-2008, 03:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
historybuff Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Waterloo, ON Posts: 15	Veterans stories About 25 years ago, I met and befriended a Canadian veteran who had served in Burma. He had the most remarkable stories of "flying the Hump". His unit even had a book of photos, and he had a story for every one. I also met a man we affectionately called "Commodore" because of his service on a Canadian corvette escorting convoys across the Atlantic. Again, the most remarkable stories, most of which go untold in history books... If I could gather some stories which have been handed down from coastwatchers in the South Pacific, I would be glad to receive them. If anyone would like me to relate the stories I know, please contact me...

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26-06-2008, 01:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
historybuff Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Waterloo, ON Posts: 15	Is it OK if I answer myself? I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if I don't have any immediate links to the military, although my daughter is a member of the Reserves. As a former (and ongoing) student of Canadian history, I have a good base of knowledge of many of the theatres, as well as the various services, mostly because I feel that a great deal of historical emphasis has been placed on the land and air forces, as the newspeople (men) of the day reported on these aspects more frequently (no satellite transmissions then, etc...) Steve from Waterloo, ON

26-06-2008, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Harry Ree Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 609	"Flying the Hump" Wasn't this the air supply operations from Northern India and unoccuppied Nothern Burma over the Himalayas to supply and maintain the Chinese offensive against Japanese expansion and keep the Chinese in the war? The transport aircraft used, were mostly C47s but were supplemented by C46s.The "Burma Road" after it was constructed became a major feature of achieving a foothold in China for USAAF B29 bases, from which the USAAF were able to start the bombing offensive against the Japanese mainland to compliment the B29 operations from the forward Pacific island bases. The Allies could not win the war by their China operations alone but China was another front that the Japanese Imperial Army had to man and supply.A running sore for them it would prove. Regarding news from any war front in Britain to the population.The civil population had to be satisfied what film reports were released by the vetted agencies such as the Gaumont News and what was released by officially censored newspaper reports.The Ministry of Information controlled all reporting I believe.

08-07-2008, 03:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
historybuff Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Waterloo, ON Posts: 15	You are right about the C47s, they were marvelous aircraft, and the crews that flew them... If I'm not mistaken, one of the other reasons for flying supplies was because the Japanese controlled the rail link which the Allies would have used had it been in their control. I think the bridge on the River Kwai is even part of this somehow. I'll do more research....

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