Flying "the Hump" in World War II

    PASADENA, CA, February 03, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In its speakers series at Crowell Public Library, the San Marino Historical Society presents quarterly history talks focusing on topics especially selected for residents of San Marino. On February 27 at 7:00 p.m., all are welcome to experience World War II from one who was there. Jeff Arnett will talk about his service in Asia including a three week flight form the United States to India, his service in Burma and China, and crossing the famous and dangerous "Hump." According to Wikipedia, the 'hump' was "...the name given by Allied pilots in the Second World War to the eastern end of the Himalayan mountains over which they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek and the units of the United States Army Air Forces based in China. Creating an airlift presented the USAAF a considerable challenge in 1942: it had no units trained or equipped for moving cargo, and no airfields existed in the China Burma India Theater for basing the large number of transports that would be needed. Flying over the Himalayas was extremely dangerous and made more difficult by a lack of reliable charts, an absence of radio navigation aids, and a dearth of information about the weather."*

Jeff Arnett is retired from fifty years in the investment business, fifty years of private plane piloting and fifteen years as a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum. In recent years, he has returned to model railroading and a renewed focus on golf where he has managed to "shoot his age" four of the past five years. He was born in Los Angeles and has resided in the Pasadena-San Marino area since 1930. He graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1943, just one day before entering the Army Air Corps. After serving as a transport pilot in Burma and China for three years, he returned from the service to graduate from USC. Jeff last spoke to the Historical Society on the Pacific Electric Company and his experience riding the Red Cars. On January 11th he celebrated his 92nd birthday.

Come to Crowell Public and hear about this fascinating part of World War II history from an original source. No reservations are required. For information on the San Marino Historical Society call (626) 304-9375 or email [email protected].

CROWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, California 91108
(626) 300-0777

The Crowell Public Library in the City of San Marino enriches and advances the intellectual, cultural, and creative vitality of San Marino by providing access to information that support the interests of the community. Pursuant to its mission, "The 21st Century Crowell Public Library provides: a gathering place, an information center, a technology hub and a book and media collection to serve the educational, cultural and recreational interests of people of all ages."

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