The Alaska-Siberia Connection: The World War II Air Route (Volume 48) (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) - Hardcover

Hays Jr., Otis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0890967113 ISBN 13: 9780890967119

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Early in World War II, two hundred years after Vitus Bering made the first Siberian connection with Alaska, Russians once again returned to Alaska as part of the U.S.–Soviet Lend-Lease program to ferry American-made aircraft to Siberia.

American Lend-Lease generosity helped to join Russia and America in a wartime alliance against Germany. However, Russia, suspicious of American sincerity, delayed the establishment of an Alaska–Siberia delivery route (known throughout the war as ALSIB) to the German war front. Instead, other routes via the North Atlantic and the Persian Gulf were employed for the delivery of urgently needed aircraft in 1941–42.

Eventually, recognizing that an ALSIB route would allow the delivery of American-made aircraft in days, not weeks or months the Russians agreed to the ALSIB route in late 1942.

The ALSIB route became the fastest and most productive means of moving combat aircraft to the Russian–German front. Additionally, although it was primitive and dangerous, it established a direct and time-saving artery between Moscow and Washington, and it was heavily used by diplomats, politicians, and countless military officials, both Soviet and American.

Declassified official U.S. military records and selected Russian sources, as well as reminiscences from former American liaison officers who were stationed at ALSIB posts in Alaska between 1943 and 1945, serve as the basis for this intriguing story.

Otis Hays's The Alaska-Siberia Connection: The World War II Air Route, presents the untold story of how the Soviets and Americans worked together to deliver fighting aircraft where they could be used effectively, shared always dangerous and sometimes deadly subarctic flying hazards, surmounted most of the language and cultural barriers they faced, and staunchly refused to allow mutual mistrust to overcome their efforts.

About this title

About the Author

Otis Hays, Jr., is the author of Home from Siberia: The Secret Odysseys of Interned American Airmen in World War II, also published by Texas A&M University Press. He served as a senior member of the Alaska Defense Command's military intelligence staff and was the responsible staff supervisor of the command's foreign liaison operation in 1943–44. He lives near Pierce City, Missouri.

From the Back Cover

American Lend-Lease generosity helped to join Russia and America in a wartime alliance against Germany. However, Russia, suspicious of American sincerity, delayed the establishment of an Alaska-Siberia delivery route (known throughout the war as ALSIB) to the German war front. Instead, other routes via the North Atlantic and the Persian Gulf were employed for the delivery of urgently needed aircraft in 1941-42. Eventually, recognizing that an ALSIB route would allow the delivery of American-made aircraft in days, not weeks or months, the Russians agreed to the ALSIB route in late 1942. The ALSIB route became the fastest and most productive means of moving combat aircraft to the Russian-German front. Additionally, although it was primitive and dangerous, it established a direct and time-saving artery between Moscow and Washington, and it was heavily used by diplomats, politicians, and countless military officials, both Soviet and American. Declassified official U.S. military records and selected Russian sources, as well as reminiscences from former American liaison officers who were stationed at ALSIB posts in Alaska between 1943 and 1945, serve as the basis for this intriguing story.

Reviews

For three years during World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union maintained a difficult air pipeline from the northern states, via Alaska and Siberia, almost to the Urals. The Lend-Lease fighters and bombers that were funneled through this route eventually made up 12 percent of the Red Air Force and devastated Hitler's legions. Hays, a onetime military intelligence officer with the Alaska Defense Command, shows how this joint Allied effort triumphed over deep mutual suspicions, totally different cultures, and some of the world's most savage weather. His workmanlike study is crammed with operational and political details, historical perspective, and personalities. Although the human element is touched upon, the book is curiously light on anecdote; nor does it have many of the technical details that delight the airplane buff. Even so, it is the first book wholly dedicated to this subject. This authoritative account is one of many new history titles benefiting from access to long-closed military sources. Recommended for all academic and military collections.?Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Edwards AFB, Cal.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0890967113
• ISBN 13: 9780890967119
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200