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The Able Queen: Memoirs of an Indiana Hump Pilot Lost in the Himalayas
The Large Print version of the experiences of World War II Transport Pilot, the late Robert Binzer, as a combat transport pilot with the 14th Airforce flying the China-Burma-India Hump from 1943 to 1945. His plainspoken tale of flying weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, and troops behind enemy lines and over "The Hump" in unimaginable weather conditions inspires readers of every age.
A rare first-person narrative of historical accuracy, The Able Queen is perfect for anyone interested in exploring a forgotten corner of World War II from a time when Americans and Chinese fought side-by-side against the Axis of the East. Not historical fiction or romance, this tale reminds readers of the cost of freedom and the bravery of the Greatest Generation.
A rare first-person narrative of historical accuracy, The Able Queen is perfect for anyone interested in exploring a forgotten corner of World War II from a time when Americans and Chinese fought side-by-side against the Axis of the East. Not historical fiction or romance, this tale reminds readers of the cost of freedom and the bravery of the Greatest Generation.
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First published December 7, 2020
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About the author
Rainy Horvath
4 books7 followersRainy Horvath holds an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Arts from Manhattanville College. Her first book, The Able Queen, retells her father's WW2 memoirs. Her second book, The Other Side of Moonlight, is due to be published soon.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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February 6, 2023MWSA Review
Author, Rainy Horvath, presents tales of her father's account as a pilot flying "The Hump" during WW II in her book, The Able Queen. Stories told to her by her father, Robert Binzer, begin in his boyhood, with a first-person narration, where he expresses his constant desire to be a pilot. His account leads to his entering the Army Air Force just before WW II, but his goal gets sidetracked by an assignment to repair teletype machines instead. Eventually, with the war's outbreak, he gets his opportunity to fly and receive his coveted pilot's designation. Binzer then is assigned to fly in the dangerous China/Burma theater where, by war's end, 1,400 airmen died, with 400 more missing, flying over the Himalayas. Initially, he pilots the light single-engine Stinson L-5 Sentinel ferrying people and cargo throughout western China while avoiding enemy aircraft always at the edges of battle. Next, he upgrades to flying the twin-engine Douglas C-47 Skytrain, bringing war supplies to China over the Hump, "the most dangerous air routes in the world." The deadly hazards of flying the Himalayas come to focus for Binzer in one final account when unpredictable weather creates a situation where he and his crew parachute from their cargo plane and then face surviving in the frozen mountains. This book is Robert Binzer's tale as his daughter Rainey Horvath faithfully records it.
Review by Tom Beard (January 2023)
Author, Rainy Horvath, presents tales of her father's account as a pilot flying "The Hump" during WW II in her book, The Able Queen. Stories told to her by her father, Robert Binzer, begin in his boyhood, with a first-person narration, where he expresses his constant desire to be a pilot. His account leads to his entering the Army Air Force just before WW II, but his goal gets sidetracked by an assignment to repair teletype machines instead. Eventually, with the war's outbreak, he gets his opportunity to fly and receive his coveted pilot's designation. Binzer then is assigned to fly in the dangerous China/Burma theater where, by war's end, 1,400 airmen died, with 400 more missing, flying over the Himalayas. Initially, he pilots the light single-engine Stinson L-5 Sentinel ferrying people and cargo throughout western China while avoiding enemy aircraft always at the edges of battle. Next, he upgrades to flying the twin-engine Douglas C-47 Skytrain, bringing war supplies to China over the Hump, "the most dangerous air routes in the world." The deadly hazards of flying the Himalayas come to focus for Binzer in one final account when unpredictable weather creates a situation where he and his crew parachute from their cargo plane and then face surviving in the frozen mountains. This book is Robert Binzer's tale as his daughter Rainey Horvath faithfully records it.
Review by Tom Beard (January 2023)
May 18, 2022
Author Rainy Horvath states in her book that “Veterans of wars are often silent about their experiences when confronted by people who were ‘not there.’” I can relate to that because my father rarely spoke about his time as a soldier in WWII. However, the author was fortunate in that her father wrote about his experience, and Ms. Horvath collected, collated, and verified his material.
In the memoir, the author brings the thrilling story of a CBI Hump Pilot to life in his first-person voice. Pilot Robert Binzer gives details of these often dangerous missions and the difficult choices this courageous man and his crew had to make. As I read the book, I had forgotten how young he was at the time. And at one point toward the end of his missions, his age was mentioned again—23! My first thought was, no, not possible, that’s a mistake. But it wasn’t. Those who served our country, and those who continue to serve, are often teenagers when they begin their military career. It’s so important to honor these brave individuals, which is precisely what the author accomplishes with this book.
In the memoir, the author brings the thrilling story of a CBI Hump Pilot to life in his first-person voice. Pilot Robert Binzer gives details of these often dangerous missions and the difficult choices this courageous man and his crew had to make. As I read the book, I had forgotten how young he was at the time. And at one point toward the end of his missions, his age was mentioned again—23! My first thought was, no, not possible, that’s a mistake. But it wasn’t. Those who served our country, and those who continue to serve, are often teenagers when they begin their military career. It’s so important to honor these brave individuals, which is precisely what the author accomplishes with this book.
May 24, 2022
This is a very personal and intimate look into the experiences of a WWII pilot who served in the China theater. It's a bit rough and unpolished because Rainy delivers the story in her father's own words (with a few clarifying edits). It is a beautiful tribute to him and his service at a very difficult and challenging time in world history. Highly recommend to anyone interested in WWII history from the prospective of those who fought it.
January 15, 2026
These memoirs are priceless. I wish we had more in publication than we do from WWI and II. I highly recommend this short read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews