Most written accounts of operations and events in the CBI Theater mention the military pipeline operations but the emphasis is on the lines built in Burma and China. To my knowledge, no one has ever featured the beginnings of the lines in India. As William Boyd Sinclair in a letter to me stated: "Over the years, both during and after the war, the impression has remained with me that good, reliable information about pipeline construction was the hardest information to get." Engineer District #12 apparently lacked a good PR (Public Relations) man. Mr. Sinclair's letter invited and challenged me to supply information on the pipelines in India. Since no other volunteer stepped forward, I accepted.
This account is based in part on my memory, verified where possible. The responsibility for inclusions and omissions is mine. The omissions are particularly vexing. I was an observer and participant as a lieutenant in the activities of the 777th EPD Co. but I am not the most qualified to report. My apologies extend to all personnel that served in District #12 for omission of events that may be more pertinent or spectacular than those enumerated. As Captain Troy E. Peterson wrote: "It is obvious that the 777th and 789th have now been better represented. I am sure the other EPD Cos could also make some interesting input."
Thomas J. Johnson and Troy E. Peterson (former commanding officers of the 777th and 789th, respectively) have reviewed this material and suggested additions and deletions. Hubert 0. Hanson (former S/Sgt. in the 777th) has added an interesting account of difficulties faced and conquered and offered many explanations and suggestions.
In 1985, Mrs. Helen Mosher Barben published numerous, edited letters received from her husband, Major Arnold H. Barben written between December 1943 and May 1946 under the title "India According to Barb". Major Barben died on March 22, 1978. The letters written at the time of events or shortly there-after are the source of much information. The Major was a prime trouble shooter in the District and a participant in more than his fair share of difficulties. I had the pleasure of being his traveling companion on a trip to Kashmir in the early summer of 1945. Credit must be given to him for assembling from multiple sources the best collection of photographs of pipeline activities in India and thanks must be given to Mrs. Barben for making the collection available to me. She has also granted permission to use in this work the numerous quotes from his letters.
Published sources of information include:
Anders, Leslie. 'The Ledo Road: General Joseph W. Stilwell's Highway to China" Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1965.
Barben, Helen Mosher. 'India According to Barb' Seneca Falls, New York, 1985.
Dod, Karl C. 'U. S. Army in World War 11, The Technical Services, The Corp of Engineers: The War Against Japan" Chief of Military History, United States Army.
Dunbar, Sir George. OA History of India, Volume II"
London: Nicholson & Watson Limited, 1943.
Krishnan, M. S. 'Geology of India and Burma' Madras: The Madras Law Journal Office, 1943.
Sinclair, William Boyd. Confusion Beyond Imagination, Volume 3m Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: Joe F. Whitley, Publisher, 1988.
Tuchman, Barbara. 'Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-45' New York: The Macmillan Companyg 1970.
Unpublished sources:
General Map, District #12 Operations, Scale 1:1,000,000, 3/4/44 (Up-dated and annotated)
Topographic Maps, Survey of India, Scale 1:1,000,000, Issued 1942 for Official Use Only.
1. ASSAM. Longitude 90 to 96 degrees east. Latitude 24 to 28 degrees north.
2. ARAKAN. Longitude 90 to 96 degrees east. Latitude 20 to 24 degrees north.
National Archives and Records Service, Military Archives Division, Modern Military Field Branch, Washington, D.C. 20409. Unit Histories for the 700th, 708th, 709th@ 776th 777th, and 789th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Companies.
Notes:
Air Transport Command headquarters was at Warren Hastings Jute Mill on the Hooghly River near Calcutta.