The Hump 1942–45

Name: The Hump 1942–45
Price: 39.99 AUD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781472865946

America's first massive military airlift

Mark Lardas, Graham Turner (Illustrator)

$39.99

Paperback

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English

Osprey
31 March 2026

History; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Military history; Second World War; Air forces & warfare; Battles & campaigns

Series: 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 in the war. The India-China Wing of the Air Traffic Command earned a Presidential Unit Citation for its efforts, the first ever awarded to a non-combat unit.

Packed with illustrations and maps, this is the story of the first successful strategic airlift in history. The lessons of the Hump fed into the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49, and it was the essential forerunner behind the United States' capability to project power in the Cold War.

By: Mark Lardas
Illustrated by: Graham Turner (Illustrator)
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 58
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 300g
ISBN: 9781472865946
ISBN 10: 1472865944
Series: Air Campaign
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

(Subject to confirmation) Introduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Aftermath and Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index

Mark Lardas has been fascinated by all things related to the sea and sky his entire life; from building models of ships and aircraft as a teen to studying Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at college. He worked as a navigation engineer on the Shuttle program and is now employed at Johnson Space Center on the Lunar Gateway program. He has written extensively on military aviation, and he lives in Texas. Graham Turner is an acclaimed painter and member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.