|
|
| |
First convoy to land-blockaded China, isolated by jap invasion of Burma in 1942, assembles at Ledo, preparatory to long haul to Kunming, China. The convoy will have air cover for the historic 1,000 mile trip. |
Convoy To Kunming Arrives At Myitkyina From Ledo
The first convoy to travel the Ledo Road and the first to carry supplies for China by way of an overland route since the Japs blocked the Burma Road two and a half years ago is enroute to Kunming. These pictures were taken during the first stage of the journey from Ledo, Assam to Myitkyina, Burma. At Myitkyina the convoy halted for a short period, pending either completion of the Tengchung cutoff road, the Myitkyina-Bhamo-Namkham-Wanting route, is cleared of remaining japs. Final destination of the convoy is Kunming, China, approximately 1,000 miles from Ledo. The first convoy is composed of heavy trucks, ambulances and jeeps. Many of the vehicles pulling anti-tank guns and heavy field artillery pieces, are being driven by white and Negro soldiers and Chinese drivers. Trucks are loaded with a wide variety of supplies and ammunition for the Chinese Army. |
Through the mist covered Naga hills, the new Ledo Road winds its tortuous way up to Pansau Pass. |
The convoy passing through Hellgate on the long climb up to Pangsau Pass, gap in the Naga hills which serves as the boundary line between Burma and Assam. |
Still at work after slugging through a dreary monsoon, bulldozers continue on the Ledo Road as trucks of the first convoy follow cork-screw road Chinaward. |
The trucks cross a temporary bridge of floating rubber pontoons to complete the first lap of the journey from Ledo to Myitkyina. |
VETERAN LIBERATOR After unloading its cargo of bombs on the Japanese-held Moen Island in the Pacific, "Madame Pele," named after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, heads for home. Smoke can be seen rising from the enemy hangers and airstrip. The plane was finaced through the proceeds of War Bonds purchased by Hawaiian school children and was named by them. |
BOMBS ON BANGKOK Smoke mushrooms upward as bombs dropped by India-based B-29s of the XX Bomber Command fall on and near an important bridge at Bangkok, in Japanese-occupied Thailand, as part of the Superforts campaign to reduce the resistance of the Japanese by hammering strategic bases. |
G.I. ELEPHANTS American infantrymen of the Mars Task Force take a break on their long trek through Central Burma, watch anxiously as native-handled elephants attached to the unit use river ford next to newly constructed bamboo footbridge. |
I only called him twice today. |
|
"We talk some of remodeling the cellar and doing the work ourselves - but Henry is afraid recreation rooms are a fad that will blow over after the war!" |
HOME AGAIN Lt. Col. Gordon Seagrave (left), the famed Burma Surgeon, accompanied by Brig. Gen. George W. Sliney, Thermopolis, Wyoming, sector chief of artillery, leave Seagrave's home in Namhkam after the capture of the town by the Chinese. |
MANPOWER SHORT Lt. Donald M. Hart, Bakersfield, Cal., of an ATC Base Unit in India, claims that 'Pear Box' (he's that little fellow trying to follow in his masters footsteps) while not being the tallest man in India, does get his job done, even if he is a little hard on the Lieutenant's cigar ration. |
LOVE DAT MAN This, fellers, is Beulah, "maid" of Fibber McGhee and Molly show heard on VU2ZU Monday afternoons. Better known as Martin Hurt. Recognize "her"? |
ADVANCE PATROL A patrol of Chinese Infantrymen crosses a wrecked bridge over the Shweli River near the China-Burma border as the American and Chinese troops force the Japanese from positions in Burma in order to clear the way for the linking of the Ledo Road with the old Burma Road. |
MORTAR MEN A U.S. mortar team set up in a rice field lays down a barrage on a Jap artillery position attempting to harass the American advance down the valley in Luzon in the Philippines. During this week the Yanks have overrun Tariac and are advancing on Clark Field. |
NEW 5-STAR INSIGNIA This is the insignia approved by the War Department to be worn by a General of the Army. Eligible to wear it are Gens. George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Henry H. Arnold. The Navy also has indicated it will adopt the insignia for its 3 5-star admirals, William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King and Chester Nimitz. |
AIR-BORNE One contingent of the thousands of Chinese troops, which were recently transported by ATC to meet the Jap drive toward Kunming, disembark at a Northern China improvised strip after the hazardous trip over the mountainous terrain in almost impossible weather conditions. |
RECORD GLIDERS Some of the members of the ATC crews, which took part in the recent record 1320 mile towed-glider flight, get together after the trip to measure off the trip on a map of India. They are (left to right) Major R. W. Heartwell, Miami Shores, Fla.; F/O Ralph J. Coleman, Salt Lake City, Utah; Capt. Paul J. Slayden, Nashville, Tenn.; Pvt. John P. Bolas, Chicago, Ill., and Lt. George H. Heidman of South Bend, Indiana. |
ICE CREAM TO ORDER Pfc. Louis Jardone, Avenel, N.J., (right) demonstrates the operation of the new ice cream machine in the Post Exchange at the Base Section Headquarters in Calcutta for Lt. Benjamin Major, Washington, Pa. In the background (left to right) Pfc. George Mindala, Cleveland, Ohio; T/Sgt. Malcolm McSwain, Los Angeles, Cal., and Pvt. James R. Thomas, Wabash, Indiana, sample some of the ice cream. |