The Second World War has many exciting tales, but most of them concern the 2 major theaters namely Europe and the Pacific. Very little is publicised about the operations in the Indian state of Assam. This is often described as the " Forgotten Sector" as it was a low priority sector for the Allies. However the sector is important for it led to one of the greatest supply chain by air to China, to help the Chinese army fighting the Japanese.

By end 1942 Japan had effectively blockaded all ports of China. Early 43 the one supplyline to China the famous Burma road was also cut. The Allies were at a loss as to how to supply the Chinese army fighting the Japanese. There was an urgent requirement of weapons, ammunition, food and medicines for China.   The  Allies decided to have a air bridge to China from the Indian state of Assam. General Joe Stillwell was appointed commander of this air chain.

This was a most hazardous operation and involved flying over the Himalayas with a average height of over 18000 ft. The Allies tasked the USArmy Air Force and Royal Air Force for this. They also selected 5 major airfields in Assam namely Jorhat, Chabua, Dimapur, Mohanbari and Dibrugarh.  The airfields are still in existence and are now home to the bases of the Indian Air Force. This dangerous flight over the Himalayas was often referred to as " Flying over the Hump".

The plane used for this supply line was the C 47 a sturdy plane. However the dare devilry of the pilots cannot be underestimated and over 400 aircrew lost their lives flying over the hump. The Allies shipped thesupplies by sea  to the port cities of Karachi and Bombay. From these cities the supplies were taken by rail to the last railhead at Dibrugarh.A team of loaders shifted the cargo round the clock to the planes, which then flew over the Himalayas to China.  The Chinese army was thus kept supplied. The Allies used tens of planes for ths task and all credit must go General Stillwell, who commanded this air bridge.

The bravery of the aircrew is often overlooked, but it was an act of great courage. The airlift operated round the clock and helped blunt the Japanese offensive in China. This sector is often referred to as the forgotten sector, yet it played a significant part in its own way.