American Airlines' Secret War in China by Leland C Shanle (Junior)

Author:Leland C Shanle (Junior)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Shangri-La

12 December 1941

The eight DC-3s glided smoothly up the majestic Assam Valley. Each flight of four moved as one on their way north into the recesses of the valley. A cold front had swept through eastern India, cleansing the sky of any impurity, whether it was haze, smoke, or clouds. All that was left was the imperial blue of a perfect sky; only the looming Himalayas interfered.

J.T. had leveled the squadron at 10,000 feet MSL. The valley floor had remained nearly at sea level while great mountains rose on both sides and at the northeast end. The Assam Valley was a geological marvel. Its dominant feature was the Brahmaputra River, snaking down the center. The great Himalayas were off J.T.'s left wing; the Patkai range, off his right. As the flight moved northeast towards the heart of the Assam, the valley funneled down to an average 50-mile width. A giant granite outcropping on the Himalayan side marked the halfway point. Rice paddies and fields began to give way to dense, triple-canopy jungle.

Quigs stood in the cockpit between J.T. and Jon, pointing out the features of the valley.

“Say, when we get another 10 or so miles we need to drop down to the valley floor,” he told them. “Keep heading for Dhemaji in the northwest corner of the Assam. As we close on Dhemaji, we will be looking for an ancient Indian fortress. There is a hidden valley to the south of it. Don't get fast in the descent – we want to maintain our best maneuvering speed. We shall need it, mates. It is a bit snug at the entrance, so no more than two at a time.”

J.T. nodded and had Jon give the hand signal to Thumper's section to take trail. Thumper slid his section 500 feet directly aft of J.T., and slightly stepped-up. Charles Henry matched the lead division's formation. Within two minutes, the flight had shifted from two flights of four aircraft in finger-four formation, to four flights of two aircraft, spaced in a row behind the lead.

The squadron had dropped to within 100 feet of the valley floor and slowed to 140 knots indicated airspeed, the minimum maneuver speed for the DC-3s at their present weight.

J.T. got sight of the ancient fortress.

“There it is, Quigs.”

“Excellent, Colonel,” responded Quigs. “We have just enough light to shoot the hole.”

J.T. shot a sideways glance at Quigs.

“Shoot the hole? It's been a long day, mate!”

“Yes, sir.,” said Quigs. “As I said, it is quite tight at the entrance. By all appearances, it looks as if the ravine will close off completely. We'll start by offsetting east into the Assam, so that we can reverse our turn to the west and come directly at the entrance and valley wall on a perpendicular heading.”

Quigs continued:

“The fortress guards the entrance to the hidden valley, which is at the base of the pinnacle that the fortress is situated upon – south side, by the by. Upon entering the ravine, we'll start a left turn, no more than 15 degrees angle of bank.

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