Rough War

Although set in World War II, Paul Eastman's story in many respects, could have been ripped from today's headlines. Based on the diary and letters of Lt Paul Eastman, 'Rough War' follows him from the day he left Florida bound for World War II's China-Burma-India Theater to the day, 20 months later, when he landed again in Florida. Eastman flew 157 combat missions and 430 combat flying hours in one of the most inhospitable environments of the war. He and his 90th Flying Squadron brethren lived in tents and huts alongside runways carved out of the dense Burmese jungle and routinely provided air cover for the cargo planes flying the infamous 'Hump' through the Himalayas to deliver desperately needed supplies to the Chinese. They endured monsoons, malaria, and the intensely muggy weather in addition to the daily threat of Japanese anti-aircraft artillery and fighter aircraft. Interspersed with Eastman's highly personal view of what has often been called the 'forgotten theater' of WW II, author Walt Shiel provides descriptions of what was happening in the broader CBI war as well as the worldwide war of which is was a part. Despite having been shot down once over enemy territory, Eastman suffered no serious physical injuries. He did, however, end the war with serious psychological aftereffects that today would be termed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Shiel, Walt is the author of 'Rough War', published 2011 under ISBN 9781934631157 and ISBN 1934631159.