C-46 "Hump" pilot and others honoured

Antipodean Andy · Jun 10, 2008

World War II veterans tell of the guts and the glory at Bern Township museum - Reading Eagle Newspaper

Bern Township - In 1944, Dr. Carl Frey Constein of Wernersville was flying supplies from India to China on a route called the "Hump" for its treacherous course over the Himalayas.

Saturday he was in uniform once again, but on the ground this time sharing stories of those days with visitors attending World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Bern Township.

In 1944, Constein, now 87, flew 96 missions in a Curtiss Commando C46 to get supplies into China.

The United States flew in supplies to keep China on its side after the Japanese took control of the Burma Road and cut off China's supply route, Constein, who is also an author, explained.

He autographed a copy of one of his seven books for Steve Savino, Secaucus, N.J.

"These are my heroes, the guys who flew and fought," said Savino, a pilot. "These people are dying off quickly. It's important to get a firsthand account.

"In a book you might hear one story. Here you might get to hear 100 stories."

Steve Nelson, 16, of Johnston, R.I., was excited about meeting Constein and other veterans.

"I like thanking them for their service," he said.

Keeping the history alive through events such as World War II Weekend is important because the veterans who have come to be known as the greatest generation soon will be gone, said Constein, a former superintendent in the Antietam and Wilson school districts.

"There's something to be said about the character of Americans in that era and the commonality of us all," he said. "It was so significant in history. It was truly a worldwide war."

While the veterans told their tales and re-enactors showed how the war was fought, those attending sought relief from the hot sun by crowding into the shade provided by the wings of war-era airplanes, or lining up to buy cold beverages.

Art and Christine G. Whelan of Hazlet, N.J., took a break from the history lessons to allow their daughters, Samantha C., 7, and Nicole A., 6, to splash in sprinklers set up on the tarmac.

The girls are too young to appreciate what the veterans did, but one day they will hear stories about the war and remember their annual visits to the event, Christine said.

"We want to get them here while there's still veterans to talk about it," she said.
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Nostalgair · Jun 11, 2008

Sorry for adding to the list, but "Flying the Hump" is a great book on this subject.

An often unsung, but lethal operation.

Amazon.com: Flying the Hump: In Original World War II Color: Jeff Ethell: Books

Cheers

Owen

Antipodean Andy · Jun 11, 2008

I've got one with a similar title written by one of the pilots. By a Spencer, I think. Have owned it since the end of November 2001 according to Amazon...and haven't read it yet!

Amazon.com: Flying the Hump: Memories of an Air War (Texas a & M University Military History Series): Otha Cleo Spencer: Books

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