Stories from The Hump: Memoirs of a C-46 Pilot
is a firsthand account of World War II service in one of the most dangerous and least known arenas: the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. Told through the eyes of Richard W. Turner, Sr., a young cargo pilot fresh out of flight school, this collection of tales brings to life the harrowing experience of flying over the Himalayas, known as "The Hump," where weather, terrain, and enemy threats turned every mission into a perilous gamble.
Richard completed 72 1/2 missions piloting an unarmed C-46 transport plane, delivering vital supplies from India to Allied forces in China. Facing brutal monsoons, mechanical failures, and the constant threat of enemy fighters, he and his fellow airmen formed the backbone of the first military airlift in U.S. history, before the formation of the United States Air Force.
But this book is more than a war memoir. It is a deeply personal reflection of a life shaped by adventure, faith, and love. Blending wartime stories with glimpses into his childhood, marriage, and spiritual journey, Turner invites readers to see not just the war, but the man behind the uniform. Some stories drawn from earlier works (
Third Chance
and
Revelation ---at last
) reveal the healing power of writing as a creative outlet and the enduring love he shared with and for his beloved wife, Caroline.
Compiled by his daughter, Sharyn Turner Larson, and published posthumously, Stories from The Hump is a tribute to the courage of unsung heroes and the quiet strength of those who carried the weight of war without weapons. It is a rare window into the human side of history: all at once raw, humorous, poignant, and inspiring.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a veteran, or someone who cherishes family legacy, this book invites you to take flight into a forgotten theater of war and to remember those who served, sacrificed, and want to share their stories with you.