In late 1941, President Roosevelt agonized over the rapid advances of the Japanese forces in Asia; they seemed unstoppable. He foresaw their intentions of taking India and linking up with the two other Axis Powers, Germany and Italy, in an attempt to conquer the Eastern Hemisphere. US naval forces had been surprised and diminished in Pearl Harbor and the army was not only outnumbered but also ill-prepared to take on the invading hoards. One of Roosevelts few options was to form a defensive line on the eastern side of the Patkai and Himalayan Ranges; there, he could look for support from the Chinese and Burmese. It was the only defence to a Japanese invasion of India.To support and supply the troops who were fighting in hostile jungle terrain, where overland routes had been cut off, he desperately needed to set up an air supply from Eastern India. His problem was lack of aircraft and experienced pilots to fly the dangerous Hump, over the worlds highest mountains. Hence the inception of Operation Seven Alpha, a plan to enlist the aircraft—DC-3s—and the pilots—veterans of World War One—of American Airlines. This newly formed elite Squadron would fly the medium-range aircraft in a series of long-distance hops across the Pacific and Southern Asia to the Assam Valley in India. They would then create and operate the vital supply route, carrying arms, ammunition and food Eastward to the Allied bases, before returning with wounded personnel. This is the story of that little-known operation, carried out in the early days of the Burma Campaign.The book is based on first-hand experiences of those who were involved, and it serves as a fitting tribute to the bravery and inventiveness of a band of men who answered their countrys desperate call at the outset of the war against Japan in Asia.

In late 1941, President Roosevelt agonized over the rapid advances of the Japanese forces in Asia; they seemed unstoppable. He foresaw their intentions of taking India and linking up with the two other Axis Powers, Germany and Italy, in an attempt to conquer the Eastern Hemisphere. US naval forces had been surprised and diminished in Pearl Harbor and the army was not only outnumbered but also ill-prepared to take on the invading hoards. One of Roosevelts few options was to form a defensive line on the eastern side of the Patkai and Himalayan Ranges; there, he could look for support from the Chinese and Burmese. It was the only defense to a Japanese invasion of India. To support and supply the troops who were fighting in hostile jungle terrain, where overland routes had been cut off, he desperately needed to set up an air supply from Eastern India. His problem was lack of aircraft and experienced pilots to fly the dangerous Hump, over the worlds highest mountains. Hence the inception of Operation Seven Alpha, a plan to enlist the aircraft - DC-3s - and the pilots - veterans of World War One - of American Airlines. This newly formed elite Squadron would fly the medium-range aircraft in a series of long-distance hops across the Pacific and Southern Asia to the Assam Valley in India. They would then create and operate the vital supply route, carrying arms, ammunition and food Eastward to the Allied bases, before returning with wounded personnel. This is the story of that little-known operation, carried out in the early days of the Burma Campaign. The book is based on firsthand experiences of those who were involved, and it serves as a fitting tribute to the bravery and inventiveness of a band of men who answered their country's desperate call at the outset of the war against Japan in Asia.

In 1943 Captain Caldwell, born in China, is given a high OSS commission and shipped off to work with Chiang Kai-shek s secret police chief, Tai Li; he becomes convinced that the corruption and bestiality of Chiang s regime will pull it down. In this extraordinarily direct narrative, Caldwell contrasts the government s unabashed aping of fascist models with the beauty of the countryside and the culture and the ordeal of the people. He recalls that in the Chinese wartime capital $15,000 could buy a 1942 Buick made in Japan in exchange for such luxury items the Nationalists were selling food and medicine to the Japanese. The Kuomintang fed so many secrets to the Japanese that Caldwell was assigned to spy on Chiang s men to protect U.S. secrets. He eventually dispatches an anti-Chiang memo to FDR, but nothing is heard, and he champions the cause of a Mr. Chen, officer of a large secret society, as head of a potentially moderate post-Chiang government. Late in the war he meets John Birch, who he recalls was killed assaulting a Communist border officer. Years later he hears that FDR had taken a favorable view of his memo, but Admiral Leahy pushed for continued backing of Chiang. This puzzling insistence, the training of secret police and military who never fight the Japanese, and the curious activities of some U.S. units might be explained by General Donovan s remarks to Caldwell to the effect that America had won a war but not the peace. That could only come after a greater future war and the defeat of Marxism. Caldwell does not pursue this conclusion but allows the reader to deduce his own from a rich compilation of data. For its sharp focus of Chiang s regime and its insights into U.S. policy and the effects on Chinese history, the book has broad and unmistakable value. "

The author was a pilot for a China-based airline known as the Civil Air Transport, reputed to be the most shot at in the world. Smith recounts in vivid detail his experiences ferrying troops and equipment for the Nationalists during the China civil war, supplying supplies to war-torn regions, and flying other missions during post-World War II conflicts. 16 photos.

The true story of Pan American's flying boats and their role in the war in the Pacific - based on over 6,900 previously undisclosed government and corporate documents. China Clipper is a gripping and revealing story that sheds new light on the events leading up to World War II. China Clipper is filled with fact but reads like a spy novel.China Clipper breaks new ground and garnered stellar reviews - "... new theory on the mystery of the Hawaii Clipper..." New York Times --- "...compelling, even romantic..." San Francisco Chronicle --- "...this is exciting reading..." San Diego Union --- "...good tale for spy , aviation and WWII buffs..." Nashville BannerIn the 1930s the political stability of the U.S. was collapsing. The U.S. was dangerously vulnerable. Through a popular policy of isolationism and international treaty the U.S. had only the most rudimentary and feeble defenses for an inevitable war with Japan.Japan, on the other hand, was ruthlessly storming through Manchuria, Korea and China slaughtering millions. The U.S. was stymied but Pan American Airways' proposed commercial seaplane bases at Pearl Harbor, Midway, Wake, Guam and Manila (all attacked on December 7 and 8 1941) offered the perfect ruse to begin fortifying the Pacific in 1934. You'll discover how the government worked covertly with Pan American to build Pacific island defenses, how Pan American became a monopoly and powerhouse airline.While China Clipper can be read as an exciting war story based on true events, its major power lies in the unique recreation of people and events heretofore previously unknown. Tautly written, filled with vivid characterizations, China Clipper is a compelling and a frightening examination of the forces that eventually caused Pearl Harbor to explode - and - the world go to war.China Clipper also follows the day-by-day flight of American citizen and Chinese patriot, Wah Sun Choy, in July 1938 on the Hawaii Clipper bound for China. A successful New Jersey businessman, Wah Sun Choy had raised over $3 million to help bolster China's war with Japan. But his purpose - to deliver the money to the Chinese Nationalists - clashed with the avowed aims of Japan. Between Guam and Manila, the elegant flying boat completely disappeared. Why the 26-ton flying boat vanished and how is explored in depth - for the first time - in China Clipper.

Pan Am at War chronicles the airline?s historic role in advancing aviation and serving America?s national interest before and during World War II. From its inception, Pan American Airways operated as the ?wings of democracy,? spanning six continents and placing the country at the leading edge of international aviation. At the same time, it was clandestinely helping to fight America?s wars. Utilizing government documents, declassified Freedom of Information Act material, and company documents, the authors have uncovered stories of Pan Am?s stunning role as an instrument of American might: The airline?s role in building air bases in Latin America and countering Axis interests that threatened the Panama Canal Creating transatlantic and trans-Africa supply lines for sending Lend-Lease equipment to Britain Cooperation with Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese nationalist government to pioneer the dangerous ?Hump? route over the Himalayas The dangerous seventeen-thousand-mile journey that took President Roosevelt to the high-stakes Casablanca Conference with Winston Churchill The daring flight that delivered uranium for the atomic bomb. Filled with larger-than-life characters, and revelations of the vision and technology it took to dominate the skies, Pan Am at War provides a gripping unknown history of the American Century.