World War II China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater Manuscript [La Vove]

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of an original draft manuscript for "Hump Drivers" written by Arthur La Vove around 1946. The story is structured as a series of vignettes and recalls La Vove's experiences in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater during World War II. A print made from an original drawing by La Vove introduces many of the chapters. There are sixteen illustrations total. The text portion of the manuscript is comprised of an introduction and thirty five separate vignettes, which range in length from two up to eleven pages. The entire length runs to 148 pages (including illustrations). The majority of the pages are typewritten originals with handwritten notations (paper measures 8.5 x 11 inches) but some pages appear to be photocopies or printed scans of originals. Aircraft mentioned or depicted in the manuscript include the Consolidated B-24 Liberator; Curtiss C-46 Commando; Douglas C-47 Skytrain; Boeing B-29 Superfortress; Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express; North American P-51 Mustang; Curtiss P-40 Warhawk; Lockheed P-38 Lightning; and the Douglas C-54 Skymaster. Also included in the collection are photocopies of some of La Vove's military records, as well as copies of four photographs of La Vove taken in the 1930s and 1940s.

Biographical / Historical

Arthur La Vove (1909-1993) was a writer, pilot, airline employee, and U.S. Army Air Force veteran who flew over the Himalayas in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater during World War II. La Vove served as a pilot with the California Air National Guard before being commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. La Vove was assigned to the Air Transport Command, India-China Division, China Wing where he had assignments as a Priorities and Traffic Officer, an Operations Officer, and a Public Relations Officer. La Vove retired from the U.S. Army Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1946. In addition to his military experience, La Vove was a pilot and later worked in public relations for various airlines including Century Airlines, United Air Lines, and Pan American Airways (Pan Am). La Vove also worked a writer and assistant editor for the Los Angeles Times, and wrote for radio and television shows like "Helen King, Lady Courageous" and "Citizen Soldier."