During the height of World War II, a B-24 Liberator bomber known as The Rum Hound earned its name from the crew's unique tradition — they carried a hidden case of rum onboard and celebrated each successful mission with a well-earned toast.
In November 1944, The Rum Hound flew a top-secret mission over the South Pacific, alongside five other B-24s and a squadron of P-51 Mustang escorts. But fate had other plans. Midway through the operation, the formation was ambushed by nine Japanese Zeros. A fierce dogfight broke out, and The Rum Hound took heavy fire. Going down fast, the crew was forced to bail out — but just before he jumped, the pilot tucked two bottles of rum down his trousers, refusing to leave his "cargo" behind.
Unbeknownst to the crew, they had parachuted into the wild jungles of Borneo, home to the legendary Dayak headhunter tribes. What they expected to be their final chapter took an unexpected turn: the Dayaks, intrigued by these strange visitors from the sky, welcomed the airmen and helped them evade Japanese patrols.
In a hidden cave within the heart of a dormant volcano, the Dayaks gave the crew sanctuary. Over time, the airmen transformed that cave into a refuge — bamboo, jungle vines, and salvaged gear worked into a livable hideout.
They named it The House of Bamboo. Each evening at sunset, they gathered for a small, solemn ritual: a sip of rum to honor their survival and the bonds that kept them going.
After six long months in the jungle, the crew was finally rescued. But the legend of The House of Bamboo lives on — a place born of survival, camaraderie, and a little bit of rum-fueled luck.
You're invited to sip, savor & escape into that very legend…
