Important China-Burma-India Theater Archive of Senior Master Sergeant Charles Cumbea and Major James Ware, USAAF

Lot 216

About Seller

6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more

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About Auction

Live

Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

May 6, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-05-06 10:00:00 2020-05-06 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/arms-and-armor-day-1-live-auction-5055 Cowan’s is pleased to offer for its May 2020 Premier Auction an enviable collection of fine antique arms and military accessories. While the entire sale is indeed a showcase of rare and desirable items, several lots showcased in the May sale are of special interest to advanced collectors. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Lot consists of artifacts and memorabilia concerning the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) service of Sergeant Charles Cumbea and Major James Ware.

Charles Cumbea served as a B-24 Liberator ball-turret gunner with the 375th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group. Arriving at Kunming Airport, China, in March 1943, the squadron quickly began taking part in resupply and combat missions over "The Hump," a famous stretch of dangerous mountains in the East Himalayas. Taking part in long-range bombing missions against the Japanese in China, French Indochina, and the East China Sea, the 308th saw great success and received a Presidential Unit Citation in 1943 for taking on an unescorted attack against an important Japanese shipping facility in Hankowon, China. In June 1945, the squadron moved to India, and at the conclusion of the war was deactivated in January 1946.

Sergeant Cumbea's effects consist of several mementos of his service including his AN-H-15 flying helmet, which bears his name on the inside of the visor. Also featured are several pictures of Cumbea, including an image of himself dated July 1945. Cutting a dashing figure, he wears his flight jacket and has equipped himself with a Colt 1911 pistol. In addition, around his waist he wears a standard issue Mills belt and bayonet, which is also included in this lot. Sergeant Cumbea was apparently quite fond of photography, as his effects contain an attractive grouping of B-24 nose art, the aircraft to which they belong being worthy of further research. Of particular interest is a pair of photographs of B-24 "80 days," and shows a picture of the plane prior to and after a tragic landing accident which resulted in the loss of the aircraft and its entire crew. Also included are three souvenir Chinese silk handkerchiefs, ID bracelet, four diminutive brass dishes, and an imposing Nepalese Kukuri in addition to several leather unit patches and insignia.

As with Sergeant Cumbea, Major James N. Ware served in the CBI Theater. However, he took on the daunting role of Navigator and Bombardier for a B-29 aircraft in the 468th Bomb Group, 58th Bombardment Wing, 20th Air Force. Arriving in India April, 1944, the group experienced severe overheating of the aircraft's engines and had to be grounded until May. Once operational, the group immediately went on the offensive, and by the end of the year had the best operation record of any B-29 group then in operation, and had earned three Distinguished Unit Citations. The 468th had served a vital and important role in the war effort, and was chosen by Major General Curtis LeMay himself to lead the show of force display over the USS Missouri during the Japanese surrender ceremonies. Included in Major Ware's effects are his dog tags, embroidered bullion CBI and Air Force patches, Report of Separation, Navigator wings, and a collection of medals including Distinguished Service Cross, and Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. Also included are his flight calculator and leather "blood chit." In addition to the Second World War effects is an image of another family member, Private Carson Collier Cumbea, accompanied by a piece of trench art fashioned from a shell casing.

Provenance:From the Collection of James and Judy Ware

Condition

A very attractive and complete archive of service in an often overlooked, but vital theater of operations. Please contact the Firearms and Historic Militaria Department for specific questions regarding this lot.
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