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8 Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle: A WWII Pilot's True Story of Faith, Courage, and Survival
A Grueling Survival Story About a WWII Hero’s Fight for Freedom
On January 11, 1945, Major Donald J. Humphrey had his B-29 Superfortress directed at Singapore Island. After navigating the 1900-mile trip from India through dangerous weather, they had just successfully bombed their target. And that’s when Japanese Zeroes shot off the wing and sent the mighty aircraft death-spiraling into the Malayan jungle.
Jumping to safety, Humphrey and a few of his remaining crewmates found themselves lost in the middle of occupied territory. Enduring vicious crocodiles, deadly snakes, and crippling malaria, the Americans battled just to stay alive. And though they made contact with Malayan resistance fighters, they could never be sure their benefactors weren’t pulling them even deeper into danger…
In this harrowing true account, Major Humphrey’s son shares the extraordinary story of his father’s grueling ordeal. Told in the first person, this highly personal narrative puts you inside the mind of a man fighting for his country while struggling to survive.
Eight Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle is a gripping memoir about overcoming unexpected peril. If you like World War II heroes, incredible stories of courage, and inspirational reads, then you’ll love Donald “DJ” Humphrey II’s captivating biography of his father.
GR note: name edited to conform to Goodreads Librarian Manual would read as D.J. Humphrey II, and this is according to the cover image.
On January 11, 1945, Major Donald J. Humphrey had his B-29 Superfortress directed at Singapore Island. After navigating the 1900-mile trip from India through dangerous weather, they had just successfully bombed their target. And that’s when Japanese Zeroes shot off the wing and sent the mighty aircraft death-spiraling into the Malayan jungle.
Jumping to safety, Humphrey and a few of his remaining crewmates found themselves lost in the middle of occupied territory. Enduring vicious crocodiles, deadly snakes, and crippling malaria, the Americans battled just to stay alive. And though they made contact with Malayan resistance fighters, they could never be sure their benefactors weren’t pulling them even deeper into danger…
In this harrowing true account, Major Humphrey’s son shares the extraordinary story of his father’s grueling ordeal. Told in the first person, this highly personal narrative puts you inside the mind of a man fighting for his country while struggling to survive.
Eight Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle is a gripping memoir about overcoming unexpected peril. If you like World War II heroes, incredible stories of courage, and inspirational reads, then you’ll love Donald “DJ” Humphrey II’s captivating biography of his father.
GR note: name edited to conform to Goodreads Librarian Manual would read as D.J. Humphrey II, and this is according to the cover image.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2021
369 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. "DJ" Humphrey II
1 book8 followersDonald J. “DJ” Humphrey II is the son of Lt. Col. Donald J. Humphrey, a United States Army Air Force B-29 bomber pilot in World War II. DJ enjoyed writing in college, which likely helped him graduate as valedictorian of his class with a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. His education and experiences prepared him for this unique opportunity to write his father’s fascinating true story of survival, faith, and salvation.
Now retired after a 30-year career as a real estate broker, DJ had the time to write his father’s book. He hopes his father is looking down from heaven with a proud and pleased smile, knowing that his son finally wrote the book he had always wanted to be written and published.
Now retired after a 30-year career as a real estate broker, DJ had the time to write his father’s book. He hopes his father is looking down from heaven with a proud and pleased smile, knowing that his son finally wrote the book he had always wanted to be written and published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
June 18, 2021
It seemed like the the 8 months in the Malayan jungle for the crew of the B-29 Postville Express was mostly passed walking and talking through the jungle. Though this is an incredible story of survival, it has so much dialogue in there that it feels like reading a novel, and there is almost no background given on the crew itself, or of the other surviving members' stories. There are much better books about World War 2 survival out there, and if you are a serious reader in that department, this book is not for you. Luckily it was a quick read.
April 7, 2021
A story that remained among his Father’s things and finally re-worked into a manuscript that could be published. Often viewed as a forgotten war it is therefore good that this incredible story can be read by everyone fortunate to pick up this book.
A story of survival against the odds. A bomber crew forced to bail out over enemy held Malaya after a raid on Singapore docks resulted in engine trouble.
The US aircrew were scattered across thick jungle and knew their crash site would alert the Japanese Army. Disorientated, in unfamiliar terrain, unsure of who among the local and indigenous peoples they could trust. This is the story of a time spent fighting injury, overcoming illness, avoiding troops bent on their capture and struggling to find a way to stay alive and get home.
Every step was arduous and fatigue and fever were constant companions. Yet, with the bravery of others helping them the ordeal is wonderfully recounted.
It is one man’s attempt to lead his depleted crew to safety. It is devoid of cliches and self-pity. It carries a message of hope and presents the human spirit as one that perseveres and overcomes. It credits those that helped regardless of their motivation and due to the epic struggle through jungle, off the beaten track, avoiding main lines of communication they zig zag up the country. Avoid patrols they even some tribes who had never seen ‘a white man’.
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read. From TV and Film I have preconceived ideas of the basic ideas of slogging through jungle, swamps with water up to their necks. The need to remove leeches and the basic dangers. However, this is part of the story only. It is also about the incessant rain, the inevitable battle against diseases like malaria and typhoid, the lack of medical intervention and the trust in herbal and local medicines. Not everyone could survive, they needed to keep moving, inertia inevitably meant death.
Perhaps the author needed time to reflect - it would be interesting to learn more about his life after the War. Perhaps events overtook his story with conflict in Korea and the endless struggles and death in Vietnam that made his story seem less relevant. Yet, it has now been told. It is a remarkable tale of courage, fortitude and resilience. It is packed full of heroes and acts of kindness at great personal risk. It is a struggle within a world war that throws up questions of colonial Britain and empire grabbing Japan.
In a time of COVID it is a heart-warming; life-affirming read that is less about the mechanics of war and more about the basic goodness and inherent sense of shared values. There is less need to travel when we can visit places through the accounts of people who have insights into the people and their land. I also now want to read more about Malaysia.
Fiction is an escape where we catch dreams and let our imaginations fly away. True accounts and stories within recent history can help us see our own vulnerabilities and value life more.
This book lifted my spirits and helped me to understand cultural diversity and appreciate the range and commonality of the peoples the world over.
A story of survival against the odds. A bomber crew forced to bail out over enemy held Malaya after a raid on Singapore docks resulted in engine trouble.
The US aircrew were scattered across thick jungle and knew their crash site would alert the Japanese Army. Disorientated, in unfamiliar terrain, unsure of who among the local and indigenous peoples they could trust. This is the story of a time spent fighting injury, overcoming illness, avoiding troops bent on their capture and struggling to find a way to stay alive and get home.
Every step was arduous and fatigue and fever were constant companions. Yet, with the bravery of others helping them the ordeal is wonderfully recounted.
It is one man’s attempt to lead his depleted crew to safety. It is devoid of cliches and self-pity. It carries a message of hope and presents the human spirit as one that perseveres and overcomes. It credits those that helped regardless of their motivation and due to the epic struggle through jungle, off the beaten track, avoiding main lines of communication they zig zag up the country. Avoid patrols they even some tribes who had never seen ‘a white man’.
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read. From TV and Film I have preconceived ideas of the basic ideas of slogging through jungle, swamps with water up to their necks. The need to remove leeches and the basic dangers. However, this is part of the story only. It is also about the incessant rain, the inevitable battle against diseases like malaria and typhoid, the lack of medical intervention and the trust in herbal and local medicines. Not everyone could survive, they needed to keep moving, inertia inevitably meant death.
Perhaps the author needed time to reflect - it would be interesting to learn more about his life after the War. Perhaps events overtook his story with conflict in Korea and the endless struggles and death in Vietnam that made his story seem less relevant. Yet, it has now been told. It is a remarkable tale of courage, fortitude and resilience. It is packed full of heroes and acts of kindness at great personal risk. It is a struggle within a world war that throws up questions of colonial Britain and empire grabbing Japan.
In a time of COVID it is a heart-warming; life-affirming read that is less about the mechanics of war and more about the basic goodness and inherent sense of shared values. There is less need to travel when we can visit places through the accounts of people who have insights into the people and their land. I also now want to read more about Malaysia.
Fiction is an escape where we catch dreams and let our imaginations fly away. True accounts and stories within recent history can help us see our own vulnerabilities and value life more.
This book lifted my spirits and helped me to understand cultural diversity and appreciate the range and commonality of the peoples the world over.
January 31, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was honestly bored by this book. I wish the author had included background on the men involved in the downing of the plane, information about the Allies involvedment in the Pacific theatre and Southeast Asia during the war. This area of the war isn't taught in many high schools or universities (based on my experience) so even a brief overview would be beneficial. Also, I think it would have added a nice dimension to the story if the author had interviewed the children of the villagers who risked their lives to save these men. The author comes across a bit racist by constantly using the term "Jap", and calling the men and women guerilla fighters as a "Chinese". He didn't make that sound complementary.
I was honestly bored by this book. I wish the author had included background on the men involved in the downing of the plane, information about the Allies involvedment in the Pacific theatre and Southeast Asia during the war. This area of the war isn't taught in many high schools or universities (based on my experience) so even a brief overview would be beneficial. Also, I think it would have added a nice dimension to the story if the author had interviewed the children of the villagers who risked their lives to save these men. The author comes across a bit racist by constantly using the term "Jap", and calling the men and women guerilla fighters as a "Chinese". He didn't make that sound complementary.
May 12, 2021
‘8 Miraculous Months’ is certainly an apt title! Page after page of miracles, I cannot imagine surviving even one of them – I had to keep reminding myself that as it was a true story, the narrator at least had survived to tell the tale. You really couldn’t make it up, especially in such detail. My husband is related to one of the ‘Palembang Nine’, airmen who were beheaded by the Japanese, so this book is almost a ‘what if’ for us – how it might have been for our NZ pilot (as indeed his fate is how it could have been for this US pilot.) Despite the wealth of books already written about the Second World War, there are obviously still more revelations to come - & this one is well worth your time.
March 11, 2021
This is the true story of a WWII pilot's struggle to survive after his plane was shot down over the Malayan jungle. Major Humphrey (Hump) and his crew were on a mission to bomb a naval base in Singapore. They survived the harrowing journey there through treacherous weather and were on their way back to their home base when they came under enemy fire. They subsequently lost multiple engines and had to bail out over the jungle. Hump waited until every one of his crew members was out before he jumped.
A few of his crew jumped out through flames that engulfed the engines, suffering severe burns. After landing he discovered that they were separated. He was able to locate a few of his crew and together they slogged through the jungle, braving the Japanese forces, native tribes, wild animals, insects, hunger, and fatigue. The mission now was to locate a radio so they could contact the Allied forces to let them know they were alive. Their biggest supporters and defenders were the rebel communist army and the native tribes who had never seen a white man before.
Major Humphrey wrote his story down when he returned to the States. He didn't think anyone would want to read it though, and it sat untouched for many years. Once he passed away his son took it upon himself to see his father's story in print. This is an amazing story of survival and determination. If you are interested in history, biographies, or WWII this is a great pick.
A few of his crew jumped out through flames that engulfed the engines, suffering severe burns. After landing he discovered that they were separated. He was able to locate a few of his crew and together they slogged through the jungle, braving the Japanese forces, native tribes, wild animals, insects, hunger, and fatigue. The mission now was to locate a radio so they could contact the Allied forces to let them know they were alive. Their biggest supporters and defenders were the rebel communist army and the native tribes who had never seen a white man before.
Major Humphrey wrote his story down when he returned to the States. He didn't think anyone would want to read it though, and it sat untouched for many years. Once he passed away his son took it upon himself to see his father's story in print. This is an amazing story of survival and determination. If you are interested in history, biographies, or WWII this is a great pick.
February 5, 2021
This is the story of an American bombing crew during WWII who were shot down by the Japanese after having hit their target, and sent crashing into the Malayan Jungle.
I found this fascinating to follow their Journey as they tried to stay ahead of the Japanese army, who had watched them come down and were out to find them.
Befriended by the Malayan resistance fighters and local tribes, who did not like the Japanese, they spent 8 months trekking through the jungle from camp, to camp and tribe to tribe. Becoming sick, walking for days in unbearable circumstances, to find a way to be able to radio their location to their allies.
You meet a lot of interesting people on this journey, and feel the warmth of the natives as they take them in and keep them safe, even if they may have different views.
I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a copy of this book.
I found this fascinating to follow their Journey as they tried to stay ahead of the Japanese army, who had watched them come down and were out to find them.
Befriended by the Malayan resistance fighters and local tribes, who did not like the Japanese, they spent 8 months trekking through the jungle from camp, to camp and tribe to tribe. Becoming sick, walking for days in unbearable circumstances, to find a way to be able to radio their location to their allies.
You meet a lot of interesting people on this journey, and feel the warmth of the natives as they take them in and keep them safe, even if they may have different views.
I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a copy of this book.
February 27, 2021
Army Air Force and the Greatest Generation
Engaging and harrowing story of courage and determination after a bomber crew was shot down over the Malayan jungle during World War 2! It is a well told and inspiring account of survival as these young Americans faced an implacable enemy, wild animals, and life threatening tropical diseases. My father also served in the AAF during that time of conflict, and these first hand memoirs increase my appreciation and awe of those who served and put everything on the line. They were truly a band of brothers. My father maintained contact with one of his army buddies for years after the war. Their shared life and death experiences melded them into the “greatest generation.”
Engaging and harrowing story of courage and determination after a bomber crew was shot down over the Malayan jungle during World War 2! It is a well told and inspiring account of survival as these young Americans faced an implacable enemy, wild animals, and life threatening tropical diseases. My father also served in the AAF during that time of conflict, and these first hand memoirs increase my appreciation and awe of those who served and put everything on the line. They were truly a band of brothers. My father maintained contact with one of his army buddies for years after the war. Their shared life and death experiences melded them into the “greatest generation.”
January 19, 2021
Oh, man. Yes, it was an adventure. But it's overwhelmingly racist, sexist, elitist, in its language. I get it, that's the way Big Handsome White American Men thought and spoke at the time. But it needed some serious editing/insight to make it less....horrible. According to the author, unbelievably strong and courageous Chinese women fighters were...pretty sex objects. And the men weren't treated much better. There is such a clear and overwhelming sense that everyone non-white, non-American/European, is "less than" the narrator/author. I wanted to enjoy what is truly an amazing experience, but I couldn't stop cringing at how very, very Ugly American it all came across.
March 1, 2021
8 Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle by by Donald J. "DJ" Humphrey II
Note: This book is written by the survivor’s son.
A story of survival in WW2. His B-29 crashes on a mission... He can’t find all his men... He must survive against the odds to get back to the Allies... An amazing story of survival against the odds with the natives and the Anti-Jap Army. 5 Stars for 8 Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle by by Donald J. "DJ" Humphrey II
Note: This book is written by the survivor’s son.
A story of survival in WW2. His B-29 crashes on a mission... He can’t find all his men... He must survive against the odds to get back to the Allies... An amazing story of survival against the odds with the natives and the Anti-Jap Army. 5 Stars for 8 Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle by by Donald J. "DJ" Humphrey II
January 4, 2021
An incredible story of survival, perseverance, courage and hardship. A story that needed recording for history. Written by the man himself it's a fascinating tale of the harshness of the jungle, disease and constant fear of capture or betrayal. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2021
Awesome book
Read this wonderful book; you will love it. It was very interesting to join the WWII soldiers as they made their way through the Mayan jungle for eight long months. You will read about the suffering of the soldiers and also the good treatment and assistance they received by natives.
Read this wonderful book; you will love it. It was very interesting to join the WWII soldiers as they made their way through the Mayan jungle for eight long months. You will read about the suffering of the soldiers and also the good treatment and assistance they received by natives.
February 22, 2021
WWII
Enjoyed this book written by your Father. Can not imagine what he and his crew went through. War was brought to life by this book, what horrors they must have endured.
Enjoyed this book written by your Father. Can not imagine what he and his crew went through. War was brought to life by this book, what horrors they must have endured.
January 19, 2021
If you are looking for a book that is full of "how in the world..." then this is the one for you! Full of adventure, survival, and the fight for life - this book is one that will not leave you disappointed at all!
As a historian, I was blown away by the detail, the descriptions, and the astounding fight to stay alive in the jungle. Absolutely amazing and a perfect read! For fans of WWII, this exciting military adventure, staying alive in a jungle full of Japanese soldiers, their only job - stay alive and make it home.
As a historian, I was blown away by the detail, the descriptions, and the astounding fight to stay alive in the jungle. Absolutely amazing and a perfect read! For fans of WWII, this exciting military adventure, staying alive in a jungle full of Japanese soldiers, their only job - stay alive and make it home.
January 1, 2023
I read this book in one day. I was riveted by the incredible, true story. Amazing survival story. Uplifting and well written. Highly recommend.
August 4, 2024
3.1 stars
June 5, 2021
Excellent Book
This book was a great read. I liked the start,middle and finish. It will keep you wanting to know more with every turn of the page.
I learned about the war in the Philippines. The author wrote an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the war in that area.
This book was a great read. I liked the start,middle and finish. It will keep you wanting to know more with every turn of the page.
I learned about the war in the Philippines. The author wrote an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the war in that area.
September 16, 2021
Great story
This was truly the greatest generation. Could not put the book down even though I knew how it ended. Loved it.
This was truly the greatest generation. Could not put the book down even though I knew how it ended. Loved it.
February 12, 2022
Great story of survival
Thanks for writing your this account of your fathers experiences evading capture and surviving for 8 months in the jungle. I have read several books similar to this and I love them, while they are not always best sellers or masterpieces of writing. They are often written by people that were there or a close relative witch makes the book a lot more personal and heartfelt.
Thanks again for a great read!
Thanks for writing your this account of your fathers experiences evading capture and surviving for 8 months in the jungle. I have read several books similar to this and I love them, while they are not always best sellers or masterpieces of writing. They are often written by people that were there or a close relative witch makes the book a lot more personal and heartfelt.
Thanks again for a great read!
September 7, 2021
A terrific, heart-breaking read!!
This book describes in vivid detail the ordeal of a b-29 crew that survived the shooting down of their Plane while over the jungle on the Malayan peninsula.. you get to spend each heart-breaking day with. The crew as#they overcome their travails with amazing fortitude and courage. Just a thrilling, nail-biting read!11!!!!
This book describes in vivid detail the ordeal of a b-29 crew that survived the shooting down of their Plane while over the jungle on the Malayan peninsula.. you get to spend each heart-breaking day with. The crew as#they overcome their travails with amazing fortitude and courage. Just a thrilling, nail-biting read!11!!!!
October 3, 2021
A great read about great patriot soldiers
An incredible true story about true American World War II heroes. It is a real page turner, practically impossible to put down. Also a great reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
An incredible true story about true American World War II heroes. It is a real page turner, practically impossible to put down. Also a great reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
March 7, 2021
Wow! This book was fantastic! I felt like I was right there In The jungle with these heroes as they battled for their lives. Well done.
September 18, 2021
enthralling book!
This story was riveting. Humphrey has included amazing details that help the reader visualize and experience the jungle. You won’t want to put this one down, and you won’t be disappointed! This is history story telling at its finest!
This story was riveting. Humphrey has included amazing details that help the reader visualize and experience the jungle. You won’t want to put this one down, and you won’t be disappointed! This is history story telling at its finest!
August 19, 2021
Great ordeal
Fascinating account f an amazing ordeal . Knowing the Malaysian jungle from the 1960s , it is truly incredible how they survived such a terrible time. Well written with out any unessessary flannel.
Enjoyed every word.
Fascinating account f an amazing ordeal . Knowing the Malaysian jungle from the 1960s , it is truly incredible how they survived such a terrible time. Well written with out any unessessary flannel.
Enjoyed every word.
May 7, 2021
Great ok
Really good book very exciting to read. It jumped right into action and kept me interested. Very cool story to read.
Really good book very exciting to read. It jumped right into action and kept me interested. Very cool story to read.
August 18, 2021
A true story of a B-29 that crashed in the middle of the jungle
This was a super good read good from the start of the story thru the jungles to the super ending.
This was a super good read good from the start of the story thru the jungles to the super ending.
Read
February 16, 2021MWSA Review
8 Miraculous Months in The Malayan Jungle is a true story of an American B-29 crew that struggled to survive after being shot down in Japanese Occupied Malaya in 1945. The book's author, Donald J "DJ" Humphrey II, is the son of the man who commanded the B-29 and its crew, Lt. Col. Donald J Humphrey. LTC Humphrey wrote a narrative of his experience shortly after his return to the U.S. That narrative, as fleshed out by his son is the source of this book.
Helped by indigenous Malay people, most of the crew of the downed B-29 spent eight months living in wilderness, traveling hundreds of miles, mostly on foot, through untamed jungle. The men were suffering from serious injuries from the shooting down of their plane, and later from persistent disease and infection that plagued them throughout their ordeal. Not all of the men survived. But those who did will never forget the experience, and no reader of this story will forget it either.
The events take place in a part of the world that is still very poorly known to Americans, the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. In 1945, the jungle was largely undeveloped wilderness, populated by natives; Chinese descendants of workers imported to the country to work in mines or on plantations; a few Brits, Australians, and Americans manning isolated outposts; and thousands of occupying Japanese soldiers. But even here LTC Humphrey and his men managed to meet some very colorful characters!
This is a story of honor, courage, and determination against nearly impossible odds. It is unique and riveting. It introduces people you want to know in a story very much worth reading.
Review by Jamie Thompson (February 2021)
8 Miraculous Months in The Malayan Jungle is a true story of an American B-29 crew that struggled to survive after being shot down in Japanese Occupied Malaya in 1945. The book's author, Donald J "DJ" Humphrey II, is the son of the man who commanded the B-29 and its crew, Lt. Col. Donald J Humphrey. LTC Humphrey wrote a narrative of his experience shortly after his return to the U.S. That narrative, as fleshed out by his son is the source of this book.
Helped by indigenous Malay people, most of the crew of the downed B-29 spent eight months living in wilderness, traveling hundreds of miles, mostly on foot, through untamed jungle. The men were suffering from serious injuries from the shooting down of their plane, and later from persistent disease and infection that plagued them throughout their ordeal. Not all of the men survived. But those who did will never forget the experience, and no reader of this story will forget it either.
The events take place in a part of the world that is still very poorly known to Americans, the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. In 1945, the jungle was largely undeveloped wilderness, populated by natives; Chinese descendants of workers imported to the country to work in mines or on plantations; a few Brits, Australians, and Americans manning isolated outposts; and thousands of occupying Japanese soldiers. But even here LTC Humphrey and his men managed to meet some very colorful characters!
This is a story of honor, courage, and determination against nearly impossible odds. It is unique and riveting. It introduces people you want to know in a story very much worth reading.
Review by Jamie Thompson (February 2021)
March 29, 2021
IMO this book would benefit from a rewrite by a professional... and yet I couldn't put it down. I found it gripping from beginning to end. An utterly fascinating tale.
Some notes: the jungle will kill you. I lost count of all the diseases they suffered from, many of them at the same time! People who have no acclimation will, simply, not survive, and that's all there is to it.
Apparently 4 of the airmen were captured and spent the 8 months in a Japanese prison camp. I would have been curious to know if the men who survived in the jungle compared notes with the POWs to ascertain who had a worse time of it. Frankly I'm guessing it was about even!
I spent a lot of the book convinced the author left his men in the lurch a couple of times, and would be facing a court martial when he returned home. For one, he fled the crash before being certain that he had collected all the survivors. However by the end of the book I decided he made the right decision. In a later incident, he left a couple of his sick men, one of whom died. I'm not so sure about that case. However I guess he left them because he thought he could get help faster by searching for a radio.
In the end, like I said, it was a very simply written book of a dramatic story. This could be a great book for a kid who is old enough for some mature content.
Some notes: the jungle will kill you. I lost count of all the diseases they suffered from, many of them at the same time! People who have no acclimation will, simply, not survive, and that's all there is to it.
Apparently 4 of the airmen were captured and spent the 8 months in a Japanese prison camp. I would have been curious to know if the men who survived in the jungle compared notes with the POWs to ascertain who had a worse time of it. Frankly I'm guessing it was about even!
I spent a lot of the book convinced the author left his men in the lurch a couple of times, and would be facing a court martial when he returned home. For one, he fled the crash before being certain that he had collected all the survivors. However by the end of the book I decided he made the right decision. In a later incident, he left a couple of his sick men, one of whom died. I'm not so sure about that case. However I guess he left them because he thought he could get help faster by searching for a radio.
In the end, like I said, it was a very simply written book of a dramatic story. This could be a great book for a kid who is old enough for some mature content.
May 20, 2021
A warning: this book contains period-appropriate racial slang/slurs. There are several highly sexist remarks which could easily have been left out.
This reads like a memoir but is written by the son of the memoirist based on notes his father left behind. This doesn't appear to detract from the retelling as the voice remains authentic throughout.
An American B-29 is shot down over Japanese occupied Malay during WWII. Our narrative follows the captain, "Hump", and the few men he manages to find following the crash. Over the period of eight months, these men struggle with physical ailments, avoiding Japanese patrols, indigenous tribes, communists, and much more while traveling by foot through a deadly jungle.
I have read books on POW camps but this is a new perspective as these airmen spend months attempting to avoid capture. While struggling moment to moment they find an incredible amount of luck, grace, generosity, and kindness.
Hump's son has done him proud.
This reads like a memoir but is written by the son of the memoirist based on notes his father left behind. This doesn't appear to detract from the retelling as the voice remains authentic throughout.
An American B-29 is shot down over Japanese occupied Malay during WWII. Our narrative follows the captain, "Hump", and the few men he manages to find following the crash. Over the period of eight months, these men struggle with physical ailments, avoiding Japanese patrols, indigenous tribes, communists, and much more while traveling by foot through a deadly jungle.
I have read books on POW camps but this is a new perspective as these airmen spend months attempting to avoid capture. While struggling moment to moment they find an incredible amount of luck, grace, generosity, and kindness.
Hump's son has done him proud.
March 9, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.
I was so pleased to receive a copy of this book to review. This is a true story, written by the father of the author, a true hero in more time. DJ Humphrey’s story was captivating, horrifying, and so interesting to read. I could almost hear the jungle as I read it, I held my breath, praying for each man to make it out of the jungle alive. It is such A miracle that these men survived such an ordeal. That Mr. Humphrey wrote the story to commemorate him his crew, and told the story of the people he met and the horrors they endured is commendable.
It was a wonderful book to read, and so honest and well written.
I was so pleased to receive a copy of this book to review. This is a true story, written by the father of the author, a true hero in more time. DJ Humphrey’s story was captivating, horrifying, and so interesting to read. I could almost hear the jungle as I read it, I held my breath, praying for each man to make it out of the jungle alive. It is such A miracle that these men survived such an ordeal. That Mr. Humphrey wrote the story to commemorate him his crew, and told the story of the people he met and the horrors they endured is commendable.
It was a wonderful book to read, and so honest and well written.
January 13, 2021
Major Donald J. Humphrey, thank you for your service. Major Humphrey's incredible tale of survival and the tale of the heroic acts of others is a real page turner. To survive to many obstacles...having your B-29's wing blown off, falling into enemy territory, surviving and trekking for 8 months in the dense jungle while dealing with hunger, illness, insects, wildlife and the most dangerous predator of all-the human.
These men, and the other men and women who served our country are old now. If you encounter an older person who may be moving slowly and if you find your patience running thin remember this: these people have endured more than the rest of us with our conveniences. Be patient and show your respect. They all deserve it.
#netgalley #8MiracleMonthsInTheMalayanJungle
These men, and the other men and women who served our country are old now. If you encounter an older person who may be moving slowly and if you find your patience running thin remember this: these people have endured more than the rest of us with our conveniences. Be patient and show your respect. They all deserve it.
#netgalley #8MiracleMonthsInTheMalayanJungle
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