Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
3:12 | Near the end of World War II, Jimmy Adams recalls visiting Shanghai while Japanese soldiers were still active in the area. While he describes American troops as being well-received, he suggests one reason for this being that the Japanese had led the Chinese to believe that they would be "slaughtered on site" by Americans if there were any disagreements.
Jimmy Adams, a C-54 and C-109 pilot, talks about flying missions over "The Hump" in Southeast Asia during World War II delivering cargo. He describes the complications inherent to flying such a treacherous route, recalls how he once survived a Japanese Zero attack, and remembers the types of cargo he delivered.
Jimmy Adams remembers a couple of events while stationed in Myitkyina, Burma (currently Myanmar), including a strafing attack by a Japanese Zero and trying to land his aircraft on a very narrow landing strip in a heavy crosswind.
Jimmy Adams describes the living conditions in India. He recalls the bad weather conditions, having to accumulate his own supplies for their living quarters, and getting to know one of the Indian locals who had effectively been his servant.
Jimmy Adams remembers how a fellow pilot, Shorty Holland, became "quite a hero" by landing his C-54 after it had become damaged by severe weather while flying over "The Hump" between China and India.
