The Navigation Case: Training, Flying and Fighting the 1942 to 1945 New Guinea War

The Navigation Case is a leather briefcase that holds military documents, private letters, and souvenirs collected by my father, who was a pioneering pilot in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. It contains a newspaper article about a typhoon in New Guinea, raising questions about his presence there and the larger context of the Pacific war. The case tells the story of pioneering pilots' training and violent air missions, providing a backdrop for the Pacific war stories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Permuted Press

The Navigation Case holds a captivating tale of drama and sacrifice, shedding light on the pioneering efforts of America's early aviators in showcasing their air superiority during the most significant campaign in U.S. Air Force history. During the process of cleaning out and selling our family house, an aged and glossy leather briefcase was unearthed, revealing a treasure trove of military documents, private letters, and souvenirs meticulously collected by my father. Among these treasures, nestled within the confines of his pilots' navigation case, was a newspaper article that caught our attention. Titled "Horror and Tragedy in New Guinea," it described a massive typhoon that wreaked havoc, resulting in an untold loss of men and aircraft. However, the article raised more profound questions: Why was my father, or any American, present in New Guinea, of all places? If America was engaged in a war against Japan, why were we fighting in New Guinea?

Aviation, at that time, was in its infancy, and the narratives of pioneering pilots offer a captivating glimpse into the perilous cadet training and intense air missions of their era. The story unfolds into an incredible narrative, providing the backdrop for the many Pacific war stories that followed, including the events at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Midway Island, and Iwo Jima. It also highlights the tragic consequences of events such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which could have been avoided.

The Navigation Case serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who paved the way for aviation and the broader military endeavors of the United States. It holds a special place in our family's history, as it connects us to the courageous individuals who shaped the course of history during a pivotal period. As we delve deeper into the contents of this case, we are filled with admiration for my father's dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his country.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642939613