Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, the United States officially entered the Second World War. In early 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt dispatched General Joseph Stilwell to China to advise the Chinese and coordinate Allied forces in the region. Among American generals, Stilwell was already known as an experienced China hand. Before the war, he had served three tours of duty in China, where he became fluent in Chinese. After arriving in Chongqing, Stilwell was assigned to be Chiang Kai-shek’s Chief of Staff, the commander of American forces in the China-Burma-India Theater, and the sole controller of American Lend-Lease material bound for China.
Soon afterward, Stilwell faced the first test of his leadership. Ever since Japan’s capture of China’s eastern coastal cities following the outbreak of war in 1937, China had relied on the “Burma Road” – stretching from Burma’s coastal city of Rangoon inland to Kunming in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province – for foreign military aid. In January 1942, Japan invaded British-controlled Burma and cut off the Burma Road. Following the fall of Burma, Stilwell set up a training center in Ramgarh, India. Here, American instructors re-equipped and re-trained Chinese soldiers for a campaign to retake Burma and reopen supply lines to China. Tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers graduated from the training center. These soldiers became known as the X Force. In 1944, Stilwell’s X Force launched an assault to retake Burma in conjunction with elements of the British Army as well as Chinese forces from Yunnan. Following months of heavy fighting, Allied armies re-opened the supply route to China in early 1945. However, Stilwell would not be there to see the mission succeed. After clashing with the Chinese government over strategy, he was recalled by President Roosevelt in October 1944.
Stilwell with American and Chinese officers 史迪威将军和美中军官在一起 American and Chinese officers discuss field tactics with General Stilwell before going through practical demonstration behind lines at Sitapur. July 18, 1944. Source: National Archives and Records Administration via http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/photos/y93.jpg
Stilwell taking a break in northern Burma, 1944. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Disabled Chinese veterans showed surprise when Lt. General Stilwell paid an unexpected visit to the Rehabilitation Camp on Ledo Road. The general asked about their injuries in native, smooth Mandarin dialect. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Stilwell with Chiang Kai-shek and Madame Chiang, Maymyo, Burma, 1943.
Lt. General Joseph. W. Stilwell presents the Legion of Merit to Major General Liao Yaoxiang (Liao Yao Hsiang), leader of the 22nd Chinese Division. Burma. Source: National Archives and Records Administration via http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/photos/y55.jpg
Stilwell Inspection 38th Division 史迪威视察新38师 Lt. Gen. Sun Li Zen (Sun Li-ren), Lt. Gen. Stilwell and Brig. Gen. H.L. Boatner looking over Bren guns during inspection of Hq 38th Chinese Div. 1943. Burma. Source: National Archives and Records Administration http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/photos/w63.jpg
Stilwell inspecting troops of the Chinese 38th Division at the training base at Ramgarh, India, 1942. General Sun Li-jen, commander of the 38th Division follows Stilwell. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell rewards the Silver Star to a courageous Chinese soldier for gallant action in the face of enemy fire. The presentation was made about six miles south of Laban, Northern Burma. Source: National Archives and Records Administration via http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/photos/y39.jpg
Stilwell in northern Burma, 1944. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, helps to make minor repairs on a stalled jeep blocking traffic while on a tour of his troops on the Northern Burma front. Aiding General Stilwell is Dare Singh (wearing goggles), his bodyguard. Shaduzup area of Northern Burma. April 1944. Source: National Archives and Records Administration via http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/photos/w109.jpg
Lt. Gen. J.W. Stilwell inspects shoes of Chinese soldier of the 38th Division. 1943. Burma. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Stilwell at his headquarters in Chongqing, China 1943.
Conference concerning training of Chinese troops at Ramgarh, India, 1943. Left to right are an unknown Chinese officer, B.G. Sibert, Stilwell, General Sun Li-jen, and General Liao Yueh-shang. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Stilwell taking a break in northern Burma, 1944. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
General Stilwell with General Wei Li-huang, commander of the Chinese Y-Force. On the far right is General Frank Dorn, American advisor to the Y-Force. Source: National Archives and Records Administration
