1942 ⟶ Stilwell Abandons Trucks, Arrives at Indaw

General Stilwell abandons his trucks, which constantly becom...

Year

1942

🚚 Stilwell Abandons Trucks, Arrives at Indaw

General Stilwell abandons his trucks, which constantly become stuck and so are actually impeding progress rather than aiding it. He retains his Jeeps, which do better. Late in the day his party arrives at Indaw.⟶

BurmaMilitary LogisticsRetreatGeneral StilwellSupply LinesJeeps

🚶 Stilwell's Party Begins Foot March from Indaw

After a pep talk, General Stilwell and his party of 114 set out from Indaw on foot, with only 11 Jeeps to carry their supplies and any incapacitated, to reach the Indian border. He sends a last radio message which ends, "Catastrophe quite possible." The radio is then destroyed.⟶

BurmaRetreatGeneral StilwellMarchMilitary LeadershipSurvival

🚶 Stilwell Abandons Jeeps, Orders Marching Cadence

In Burma, General Stilwell must abandon his Jeeps. From here on all in the party will have to march. The fifty-nine-year-old General decides a cadence of one hundred five beats per minute will best match the disparate abilities of his party, and they march fifty minutes and rest ten each hour.⟶

BurmaRetreatGeneral StilwellMilitary TacticsForced MarchLeadership

🏞️ Stilwell's Party Crosses Uyu River

In Burma, General Stilwell and his party begin crossing the Uyu River. Only four small rafts are available, and the crossing takes the better part of two days.⟶

BurmaRetreatGeneral StilwellRiver CrossingLogisticsSurvival

🚶 Stilwell Crosses the Chindwin River

General Stilwell and his party cross the Chindwin River. They are now almost certainly safe from the Japanese, but still dependent on their own supplies in a very remote area and racing to beat the monsoon.⟶

Burma CampaignStilwellRetreatJapanese ArmyChinaSupply Lines