驼峰航线(the Hump)

　　the construction of the burma road over forbidding, monsoon-swept terrain was an astonishing feat. no less impressive, though, was the other way from india into china during world war ii, both before and after the land route was opened. goods traveled via an airlift that became known as the hump, and the accomplishments of those who kept the hu将mp route up and runsupplies were transported ning are truly remarkable.

　　在险恶严峻，饱受季风摧残的地形修筑滇缅公路，是一项撼人的壮举。然而，在二战期间的陆路建设同时，从印度补给送入中国的另一条路线也不遑多让。补给物资由飞行器飞越所谓的“驼峰航线”，能够这条驼峰航线保持空运，也是非常了不起的成就。

　　from the spring of 1942 until the war ended in august 1945, pilots' skills were tested as they crossed towering mountains in abysmal circumstances—violent turbulence, japanese airfire, dreadful weather, malfunctioning airplanes—and with little sleep. planes took off around the clock from any of 13 bases in northeastern india, landing about 500 miles (800 kilometers) later at one of 6 airfields in china. most of the planes and pilots belonged to the air transport command, and some men flew as many as three round-trips a day.

　　从1942年春直到1945年8月战争结束，崇山峻岭及险象环生的环境中——强劲气流、日军炮火、恶劣天气、飞机故障——飞行员们忍受着睡眠不足，一次次的接受考验。飞机全天候待命，从印度东北的13个基地飞到800公里外的6个中国机场降落。大部分的飞机和飞行员都隶属于空运司令部，其中的一些人要一天来回飞三次。

　　in his book flying the hump: memories of an air war, former hump pilot and journalist otha c. spencer quotes one pilot's typically harrowing experience in the air. "we encountered a solid cold front at 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). suddenly the entire plane began to vibrate…ice had built up on our props and we were unable to break it loose.… i ordered the crew to prepare for bail out and i would remain and try to get rid of the ice…the crew elected to remain with the plane…we had dropped into a river valley…suddenly it sounded as if the engines were coming apart.… we had entered the warm air and the clubbing props were letting loose large chunks of ice…we were still flying, just skimming the treetops at 9,800 feet (2,900 meters)…at kunming the aircraft was grounded, as the entire fuselage in line with both props was literally demolished…our cargo had been explosives…another normal day."

　　前驼峰飞行员，后来做了记者的otha c. spencer在他的著作《飞越驼峰：空战回忆录》中，引述飞行员在空中典型的惨痛经验。“我们在5000米的时候遇上强劲冷锋。突然间整架飞机开始震动……螺旋桨结了冰，甩也甩不掉……我下令组员准备跳伞，我则留下来设法除冰……组员决定与飞机共存亡……我们坠向山谷……突然间引擎听起来好像要四分五裂了……我们进入温暖的空气中，冻结的螺旋桨掉下大块的冰……我们还在飞，高度2900米并擦过树梢……飞机在昆明降落，整个机身和两个螺旋桨几乎全毁……我们载的货物是炸药……又过了有惊无险的一天。」