I come out of Assam in North East India born much, much later than the years of WWII. I remember my father speak of when he was a teenager of seeing the unending convoys of the American Army back in 1942-45 moving up the sleepy valley of the Brahmaputra river which flows here. Well Assam was sleepy then; it is sleepy now so these stories remained in the back of my mind. Untill recently, when there was talk of opening up an old WWII road from India to China via Burma to open up trade between these growing countries.
Then a few years ago a cemetery was discovered in deep jungle in the Ledo Area of Assam with about a 1000 graves. Most of these are reported to be of Chinese soldiers fighting under Gen Joseph W. Stilwell(Vinegar Joe) and also of Americans who built the Stilwell Road to China. The road has since disappeared after being abandoned after the war. There was a massive American Dump here for supplying China in 1942-45. There is also a "Stilwell memorial Park" near Ledo.
Am attaching a picture of WWII ammo unearthed in the area. Pix credit: Arif Siddique.
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Nice: I did'nt know this cemetery had been discovered. The finds are excellent. There must be much more to be found. Thank you for posting this story and sharing this info with us.
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Thanks everybody for your interest. I have pulled up a google map(attached) and marked the cemetery and the old road from Ledo(India) to Kunming(China). I cannot vouch for the road that you see on the map, especially of the Burma stretch. The part lying in India is about 62kms(38 miles) marked as NH(National Highway) # 38/153 is actually a newer one lying off the Stilwell Road. My Burmese friend Khine, tells me that the Chinese have built a 4 lane super highway parallel to the old road in China. You can actually get off while travelling there and get to see the remnants of it in parts.
Its officially not permitted to travel overland between India and Burma today. But I have in mind a tour this fall and co-ordinate with Khine so that we can possibly meet up at the border without crossing into each other's countries. Hopefully I will get some good pictures to post up here for you. Btw this makes a good read of a related harrowing recent experience of a New York columnist.
As for more on the WWII buried dump see the original story here.
Btw it is of concern that the discovered jungle cemetery is still unkempt. I am sure you will agree that these dead courageous men buried in those graves deserve greater respect. I will be grateful if you could point me to the correct organisation in the US if any, who can be of help. I will be more than happy to do my bit. Thanks.
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Great story, sangos. Thanks.
Here's a contemporary photo I found of one of the Ledo bridges, fallen into disrepair, and a pdf. file of the road-building project from National Geographic (don't know how the pdf. will work).
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Is it just me, or do you gets get a sense of awe when you see that old bridge, albeit in an advanced state of rot, still standing? An entire road, lost for 63 years? Who knows what treasures/secrets/answers might be waiting!!
__________________
"One asks oneself; Why not me?
But a bullet does not ask about me or you"
~Leutenant Alfred Regeniter, 3rd Battery, Sturmgeschutz, Brigade 276, holder of the Knights Cross
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Nice. Lucky for now, got hold of a few pictures of the cemetery in early 2007 and two pictures of the old road - now and then. Courtesy: Chao, Assam. How busy was the old road then - some stuff from the vault.
Seems likely that the road from India to China is being pushed ahead. Most of it is still the jungle overgrown Stilwell Road. And I am keen on doing a complete trip of the trail before the old road may or may not be pushed into oblivion by the new. And maybe along with its rich history too and a tremendous tale of the human spirit. Paradoxical! Here's a wartime documentary narrated by Ronald Reagan.
And talking about secrets, some of the first special forces were operational in this theatre inspiring a classic Hollywood flick. And it certainly startled me to know that the CIA took off (operationally) in a tiny town in Assam out of all places...but that is another WWII story!!!
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
For those who might like to trip to the theatre area in question of this thread, I am pasting an email below. Khine is constantly updating the tour. So please contact her for the firm plans. She operates out of Burma Rangoon.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Khaing Tun <khaingt@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 01:49:27 +0200
Subject: Ledo Road February 2009
To: khaingt@gmail.com
Hello Everyone,
Please find two (drafts) on Ledo Road 2009 program.
I shall inform you all on the price, as soon as I can after I have
consulted with Tony, the MD Baron Travels who has always handled all
my Ledo Road trips.
We should have an agreement on the dates. As I shall be the leader of
the group and since I can only do this trip during school holidays, I
would rather NOT change the dates.
If most participants are interested on the 10 day journey and would
like to extend a few more days, that is always a possibility so please
let me know.
Sincerely,
Khine @ Khaing Tun CBI Expeditions
Remembering is a time-honored pastime.
Re: A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
Great information. An new member Solomon has written a bit in the new member forum about his father who was a CBI veteran. Great timing for you to have this information here!
__________________
Regards, Michelle
Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."
This might be whacky but just thought I might point out a WWII reference in the latest Rambo movie which I just saw. I was surprised to see a WWII Tallboy bomb lying in the Burmese jungles. Now the setting of the movie is actually on the fringes of the old CBI theatre in the Karen areas of Eastern Burma bordering Thailand. Quick internet research tell you that Tallboys were supposedly never used here or in the Pacific theatre for that matter. There were no Avro bombers in the CBI to payload Tallboys, just smaller aircraft of the RAF/USAAF operating from air bases in Assam. Nevertheless its just a movie and the Claymore triggering the old sleeping Tallboy monster bomb is actually kinda smart.
A WWII Ghost American Road might come alive again
.
.
