The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, and the United States Ambassador, Mr. Eric Garcetti, joined together to inaugurate the "Hump WWII Museum" in Pasighat, India, on November 30, 2023. This momentous occasion marked the second museum in Asia dedicated to honoring the fallen airmen of the US forces during World War II, instilling a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Allied forces. The tranquil landscape of Pasighat sets the ideal site for this tribute to the brave US servicemen who lost their lives during the Hump Operation.
Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to view remnants of aircraft, including rusting wreckage and machine guns, from the 650 planes that crashed or went missing in Arunachal Pradesh during World War II. This serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in this region and the historical ties between the United States and Arunachal Pradesh.
The museum's theme beautifully reflects the history of the "Hump" air route, which was used by Allied forces to transport people from Assam to Yunnan, China. These daring flights through treacherous terrain earned the pilots the nickname "The Hump," symbolizing their incredible courage. The Hump route traverses various regions, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tibet, Yunnan, and Myanmar, and an estimated 650 aircraft crashed in these areas due to the extreme flying conditions.
The name of the museum itself is a testament to the Hump operation, which remains one of the most remarkable feats in aviation history during the Second World War. It serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and determination displayed by the Allied forces in defending democracy and freedom.
In a heartwarming development, foreign tourists have already started flocking to the newly inaugurated Hump World War II museum, just one day after its opening. This demonstrates the immense interest in and recognition of the importance of preserving history. The museum will honor the fallen heroes of World War II and ensure that their stories are forever etched in our collective memory by serving as a valuable educational tool for younger generations.
MyGov Arunachal extends an invitation to its citizens to express their views on how, in light of our common history, we should keep up our strong international ties and preserve history.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
There are approximately 400 US airmen missing in India, most of whose remains are believed to be located in the Himalayan mountains in the North East, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh."
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Calling the museum a tribute to the fallen heroes of WWII, Khandu said, "From 1942 to 1945, military aircraft transported nearly 6,50,000 tonnes of supplies like fuel, food and ammunition. The Defence Prisoners of War (DPAA) had deployed a team for 30 days in search of remains of unaccounted-for US airmen.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Over 400 Americans had reportedly disappeared over the region since the main air re-supply route from airfields in Assam in India to China during the WW-II was over the Himalayas.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
The artifacts on display in the museum include 80-year-old rusting wreckage and machine guns of the 590 planes of the Allied Forces, mainly the US forces which disappeared into the hills and jungles in Arunachal Pradesh. The treacherous region over the Himalayan skies in the Northeast, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, was described by the US forces as the Hump.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Arunachal Pradesh shares a border with China.
The museum named "The Hump WWII Museum" was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu and US Ambassador to India, Eric Gartcetti.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Guwahati: A museum displaying the remnants of the US aircrafts, which had disappeared over the skies of Arunachal Pradesh during the WW-II was opened on Wednesday at Pasighat, a small town in the frontier state.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
PradeshThe artifacts on display in the museum include 80-year-old rusting wreckage and machine guns of the 590 planes of the Allied Forces, mainly the US forces which disappeared into the hills and jungles in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
The museum is being set up at the initiative of Khandu and the state government is planning to invite the United States ambassador to India for its inauguration.
In 1942, after the Japanese Army blocked the 1,150 km Burma Road, a mountain highway connecting Lashio in present-day Myanmar and Kunming in China, the US-led allied forces had to undertake one of the biggest airlifts in aviation history.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Informing that there are about 30 locations where remnants of WWII aircraft are still believed to exist, Khandu urged the US ambassador to facilitate exploration of these locations to retrieve the remnants, and assured to provide full support of the state government.
Sakthivel 1 year 2 days ago
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed that The Hump is a heartfelt tribute from the people of Arunachal Pradesh to the fallen heroes of WWII. He underscored the museum’s role in educating the younger generation about the valor of the Allied pilots who braved The Hump to confront the threats to democracy during the war.