The Hump 1942-45

The Hump 1942-45 Ref: ACM58
America's first massive military airlift

by Mark lardas

Includes three paintings by Graham Turner G.Av.A.

Books bought from Studio 88 are individually hand-signed by artist Graham Turner

From the publisher's website:
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.

click on image to enlarge

Paperback
248 x 184mm
96 pages
Published 18th December 2025

Price: £16.99

Osprey books bought from Studio 88 are individually hand-signed by the artist Graham Turner G.Av.A.

Original Paintings

Graham Turner's original paintings created for this book are available for sale, a unique opportunity to acquire an original piece of art that has been immortalised in print - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Detail from a painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Stoke Field 1487