Click on the image below for a larger view
Click on the image below for a larger view
C-46 on the Hump
Damaged C-47 in NE India
Photo courtesy of SSgt. Ignatius P. O'Saben family
C-47 being readied in NE India
Photo courtesy of SSgt. Ignatius P. O'Saben family
Photo courtesy of Jon and Ingrid Frank
CNAC bungalow at Dinjan Tea Estate, India. Photo courtesy of CNAC Capt. Giff Bull
CNAC C-47 crossing the Hump. Photo courtesy of CNAC Capt. Jim Dalby
One of the grim and unpleasant tasks during and after any war, is the collection and burial of our dead. The US Army Graves Registration Service established a US cemetery in Calcutta, India as a final resting place for those US war dead not sent back to the USA. In November 1945, the 1305 AAF Base Unit at Dum Dum airport near Calcutta was tasked to move all US war dead in India and Burma to Calcutta for reburial. Two C-47 aircraft were permanently assigned to this duty. After just a few trips, these aerial hearses smelled so badly that they could no longer be comfortably or safely used for any other type of mission. In flight, the smell was reasonably bearable for the crewmembers since windows were left open and the cargo doors were often removed. On the ground, the smell was unbearable due to the heat. The crewmembers frequently used wintergreen in handkerchiefs of makeshift facemasks until they could get airborne again. In November and December 1945, a total of 890 bodies were collected from all over Burma and India and flown to Calcutta. This required a lot of trips, since the usual load was only about 15 caskets and often less than that.
The all-volunteer aircrews who flew the initial body pickups were given an official commendation by Col. U.G. Jones, Commander of the 1305 AAF Base Unit, which said in part:
"During the month of November 1945, the 1305 AAF Base Unit was charged with the responsibility of moving from the widely dispersed and almost inaccessible areas of the Assam valley to the Calcutta area the bodies of those American servicemen whose lives had been given in our great drive for international peace. Near Calcutta, a United States cemetery has been established where those who cannot return to their loved ones at home can rest together in peace. The thought of those who made the supreme sacrifice having a centralized and well-kept resting place which their families might visit, was indeed pleasant. However, all personnel involved were cognizant of the mental and physical effects the missions might have on the crews assigned to the movement, and with this thought in mind, volunteers were requested. You volunteered for a mission totally lacking in glory and adventure; you volunteered for a task known to be extremely unpleasant. In addition, you were cognizant of the fact that these flights would be made over hazardous terrain and that treacherous weather conditions might be encountered. As your Commanding Officer, I take great pride in commending you and your fellow crewmembers, who during the period of 28 November 1945 to 29 December 1945, aided in the movement of the remains of 890 American servicemen. Never before, have I seen a better display of true American spirit and efficient performance. The fact that under these extremely trying conditions, not a single mishap occurred, amplifies and clarifies the above statement."
This project continued up through 1948, after the CBI theater closed and all troops had gone home. Two all-volunteer C-47 aircrews, led by Capt. Tommy Cale of Prattville, Alabama, remained during this period and flew all over Southeast Asia recovering American war dead. When this project was finally finished, the airplanes were scrapped.
