THE LEDO ROAD
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Junction of the Ledo and Burma Roads near Mongyu, Burma.
ENLARGE PHOTO
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Click image or scroll to continue

INTRODUCTION
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While researching my father's service in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater of World War II, I learned that he worked for the Services Of Supply (SOS) in an air supply office which supported the building of the Ledo Road and other operations in northern Burma. A Tribute To My Dad contains the information I was able to find about his service in CBI as well as photos, documents and other memorabilia he saved.
Searching for information on the Ledo Road, I found various confusing statements about it and the Burma Roads. I could find no single site about the Ledo Road that provided the story and photos of the road building effort. I set about constructing this site as a single point of information about the Ledo Road.
On this site, combined with details of the road building effort, are photos and personal accounts of the Ledo Road.
Like "The Road" in 1945, this site is subject to frequent maintenance and improvement.
An alternate page with fixed menu is available by clicking the Ledo Road insignia at the very top right of this page.
Sincere thanks to those who have contributed to this site by sharing personal accounts, printed material, photos, and much more. Additional information is always welcomed to help make this site more complete. Your comments regarding this site are also welcomed. Please
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with additional information or to comment.
THE LEDO ROAD
was built by Carl W. Weidenburner
Copyright © 2003-2025
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The Ledo Road was built by U.S. Army Engineers and native labor during World War II
from the tea plantation province of Assam in India, through the mountains and jungle of northern Burma,
to a junction with the Burma Road.
It went over tough mountain terrain, across monsoon fed swamps and through the thickest jungle.
General Lewis A. Pick, who commanded the road building effort,
called it the toughest job ever given to U.S. Army Engineers in wartime.
Its purpose was to re-establish the land supply route to China that had been blocked by the
Japanese invasion of Burma in 1942.
Construction began 16 December 1942 and the completed road was officially opened 20 May 1945.
An estimated 147,000 tons of supplies were carried over the road by the end of the war.
The usefulness of the Ledo Road was debated both before its construction and after its completion.
Even as it progressed into Burma, military planners had their doubts about whether it could be completed
in time or even at all.
As it neared completion and until well after the war ended, many pointed out that it never lived-up to the original estimates of capacity as a supply line.
Overlooked is the fact that it was decided not to build the road to
the original specification of a double-track (two-lane) road over its entire length, the fact that
it was never assigned the originally planned number of truck transport companies, and the fact that
it actually assisted the airlift operation over The Hump to which it was constantly compared.
As the road was built it served as a combat highway enabling the reconquest of Burma, serviced a
pipeline that paralleled it to carry fuel all the way to China, and allowed safer more southerly
routes for airlift flights to China.
The accomplishment of building the Ledo Road stands as a testament
to the men responsible and the American spirit that made it possible.
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THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER
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Officially established June 22, 1942, the China-Burma-India Theater of
Operations (CBI) is often referred to as the Forgotten Theater of World War II.
Of the 12,300,000 Americans under arms at the height of World War II mobilization,
only about 250,000 (two percent) were assigned to the CBI Theater.
Relatively few Americans were in combat in the theater.
Except for a few stories, CBI did not often make headlines in the newspapers back home.
The 12,000 mile supply line, longest of the war, was often last in line for supplies from the United States.
Not forgotten to Allied war planners, CBI was important to the overall war strategy.
Occupation of Burma in 1942 by Japanese forces cut the last supply line of communication between China and the outside world.
Keeping China in the war was important as it occupied an estimated 800,000 Japanese troops that might have been used elsewhere.
A military airlift to supply China was begun although it was generally agreed that this would not be enough and a land supply route would be needed.
A road from Ledo, Assam, India was begun in late 1942.
Ledo was chosen because it was close to the northern terminus of a rail line from the ports of Calcutta and Karachi.
Construction of the Ledo Road was completed in early 1945.
Allied forces in CBI, mostly British, Chinese, and Indian, engaged large numbers of Japanese troops.
America's role in CBI was to support China by providing war materials and the manpower to get it to where it was needed.
The Flying Tigers fought the Japanese in the air over China and Burma.
The Services of Supply managed supplies from the U.S. to India and on to China.
Army Air Forces flew supplies Over The Hump from India to China.
Merrill's Marauders and the Mars Task Force fought through the jungles of Burma.
Army Engineers built the Ledo Road to open up the land supply route.
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CBI Theater
- The left-hand symbol represents China and is the sun surrounded by 12 points
for each hour in the traditional Chinese day. The star symbolizes the "Star
of India". The red, white, and blue represent the United States. Worn since 1942 it was
officially adopted on 13 November 1944.
Ledo Road
- The winding road proceeds through Burma to China (represented by the sun).
The three stars represent the three countries involved: China, Burma, and India.
Approved for local wear only. Two different versions were worn, one with stars on red field and
the other, more common, stars on blue field.
Southeast Asia Command
- A Phoenix rising from the fire.
Most likely worn by only a few officers who held positions in this command of which CBI was a part.
British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten headed this mostly British command.
These symbols were rarely seen in the field. The CBI insignia was officially approved
one month after the theater was split in two.
Ledo Road insignia was approved for local wear only.
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THREE NAMES - TWO ROADS - ONE PURPOSE
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Burma Road -
Japanese occupation of Manchuria in 1931 resulted in the Second Sino-Japanese War which continued with
sporadic fighting throughout the 1930s. In 1937 full scale war broke out and Japan occupied most of coastal
China. This forced the Chinese to seek another method of bringing in supplies and war materials. A route
from Kunming, China to a railhead at Lashio, Burma was completed in 1938. Supplies were landed at Rangoon,
Burma and brought by rail to Lashio. Built by Chinese laborers stone by stone, this route was known as The Burma Road.
Ledo Road -
Japan invaded and occupied Burma in early 1942, blocking the Burma Road supply line.
Allied war planners decided to build a new road from Ledo, Assam, India, to bypass the cut off Burma Road.
Supplies landed at Karachi and Calcutta, India could be brought by rail to Ledo and trucked over the road to China.
It proved to be an extremely difficult task but the Japanese were driven back and a new
route forged through the mountains and jungles of northern Burma.
The Ledo Road was completed by U.S. Army Engineers in early 1945.
It ran 465 miles from Ledo to a junction with the Burma Road at Mongyu, Burma, near Wanting, China.
Stilwell Road -
In addition to building the Ledo Road, Army Engineers and local workers also upgraded over 600 miles of the Burma Road.
The Ledo Road and the upgraded portion of the Burma Road from Mongyu to Kunming were later named Stilwell Road
at the suggestion of Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, in honor of American General Joseph W. Stilwell,
Commander of the China-Burma-India Theater and Chief of Staff to the Generalissimo.
The Stilwell Road covered 1,079 straight line miles from Ledo, India to Kunming, China.
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JOSEPH W. STILWELL
CBI Theater
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LEWIS A. PICK
Ledo Road
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JOHN C. ARROWSMITH
Ledo Road Engineers
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ROBERT F. SEEDLOCK
Burma Road Engineers
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DANIEL I. SULTAN
India-Burma Theater
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RAYMOND A. WHEELER
Services of Supply
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ALBERT C. WEDEMEYER
China Theater
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FRANK D. MERRILL
Marauders
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CLICK PORTRAIT FOR BIOGRAPHY
CLICK HERE FOR ENLARGED IMAGE
"The Engineers have hairy ears and live in caves and ditches,
They bang their jocks against the rocks, those hardy sons of bitches."
45th Engineer General Service Regiment
71st Engineer Light Pontoon Company
75th Engineer Light Pontoon Company
77th Engineer Light Pontoon Company
93rd Engineer General Service Regiment
195th Engineer Dump Truck Company
209th Engineer Combat Battalion
236th Engineer Combat Battalion
330th Engineer General Service Regiment
352nd Engineer General Service Regiment
479th Engineer Maintenance Company
497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company
797th Engineer Forestry Company
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823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
848th Engineer Aviation Battalion
849th Engineer Aviation Battalion
858th Engineer Aviation Battalion
1327th Engineer General Service Regiment
1359th Engineer Dump Truck Company
1388th Engineer Forestry Company
1575th Engineer Heavy Shop Company
1875th Engineer Aviation Battalion
1883rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
1905th Engineer Aviation Battalion
4023rd Quartermaster Dump Truck Company
4024th Quartermaster Dump Truck Company
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CLICK HERE FOR LIFE MAGAZINE PICTORIAL - “THE LEDO ROAD”

SERVICES OF SUPPLY
Click heading to move to next section Click any image to move to next image
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Victory and Liberty Ships being loaded with lend-lease supplies for overseas.
Lend-lease medical supplies for China being unloaded at Calcutta
Medical supply warehouse at Calcutta
Carefully unloading delicate cargo
Supplies await loading at rail yard for shipment to Ledo
Supplies move on the Bengal & Assam Railway while elephants cool down after hard day's work.
Construction of facilities at Ledo
Fuel storage dump in Assam
Aviation fuel being flown Over The Hump to China
Sign warning that gas is "Hot Stuff" so No Smoking
U.S. Army Air Corps. C-47, one of the planes used to air-drop supplies to forward areas.
Supplies being air-dropped
Awaiting the word to "kick" supplies out the door
Air-drop supplies are pushed out the door of a transport plane
Signal Corps. cameraman documents air drop
Low-level parachute drop
Packing supplies at the 14th Medical Supply Depot
Native labor helping to unload supplies
Wrecker hoists huge crate
Unloading a bulldozer from a transport
Part of the sprawling U.S. Army Installation at Ledo

Laborers cut a 100 foot wide path through the jungle
Survey party on elephants meets up with bulldozer
Clearing the trace
Around the mountains...
...and through the jungle
Engineers and equipment dwarfed by the massive jungle
General Pick, the man with the stick, consults with bulldozer operator
Graded slope along the road
Jeep moves on a "corduroy road" (bamboo laid over mud) during construction
Truck convoy at Hell Gate
The tough terrain and steep grades earned Pangsau Pass the name "Hell Pass".
Soldiers pose with Engineer's sign marking completion of road through the pass.
Jeeps follow the ruts during construction
Monsoon rains made traversing the road a constant struggle
D-8 bulldozer pulls smaller D-4 out of the mud
"That's not a river, it's the Ledo Road!"
Clearing mud from a bridge near Myitkyina
Drainage Culverts to prevent wash-outs
Rare color photograph shows cut through jungle and heavy traffic on the road
A look ahead at the mountainous terrain
When there wasn't room on the mountainside, Engineers made room.
Looking back on the low overhanging rock formation.
Construction continued around-the-clock.
Construction equipment passes former Japanese positions
Anti-aircraft battery protects the road

The 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) code name Galahad became famous as Merrill's Marauders
Merrill's Marauders move along the road
Coaxing mules up a steep hill
The Marauders on a newly cut portion of the Ledo Road
The Marauders pass the half-way point on the Ledo Road
Crossing a native bridge
General Merrill (far left) observes the Marauder's along the Ledo Road

Engineers still at work as trucks cross temporary bridge over the Irrawaddy River south of Myitkyina
Before the bridge was complete supplies were ferried across the Irrawaddy
Three ways to cross the Irrawaddy
A more permanent bridge over the Irrawaddy
Floating design of the 1200 foot long bridge allowed it to adjust to the river's changing level
Bridge over the Mogaung River south of Warazup, Burma
Wooden bridge under construction
Bulldozer grades approach to bridge under construction. Temporary crossing at right.
Another bridge under construction. On average there was a bridge every three miles along the Ledo Road
A 450-foot Bailey cable bridge spans the Shweli River
Salween River Bridge. Early view shows bridge open for foot traffic only.
Suspension bridge under construction
Bridge ready for single-lane traffic
Truck crossing the bridge
Aerial view of the bridge
Another aerial view
Another view with bridge in distance
Chinese soldiers on foot and a Jeep share bridge
Crossing a pontoon bridge
Steel bridges in Burma
Trucks with bridge sections await unloading
General Pick poses with bridge builders
Bailey Bridges
Bailey Bridge

Bridges over the Tarung River in Burma

In addition to building the Ledo Road, engineers also upgraded almost 600 miles of the Burma Road.
Survey party checks tough terrain
Truck rolls by laborers placing stones one-by-one
Native laborer works on shoulder of road
Cutting the road into the mountainside
Graders maintaining the Burma Road
General Seedlock at ceremonial link-up of construction parties at the Burma-China border
Famous 24-Zig near the Burma Road
Another view of the curves
Back and forth up or down the mountain
Chinese-manned American tanks on the Burma Road
Chinese tank crew
Tanks cross the Irrawaddy River in Burma
Fighter protects Chinese troops on the Burma Road
Trucks on the road...
...and trucks off the road
This truck almost went in the river
Wreck on edge of road with Salween River Bridge far below
Pause to check-out explosion
Convoys passing
Tractor-trailer trucks just get by a nearly washed-out bridge
Truck rolls along the road
Lone truck kicks up dust racing rain clouds
Chinese troops move along the Burma Road

The Burma Road in Yunnan Province, China.

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This truck driver award was intended to go to the better drivers of the Ledo Road.
At first there were to be only 150 of them issued, hence they were lettered by hand up to 150.
It was designed by Robert S. Fenn of Engineer Division 2 at the request of General Pick.
Unfortunately, the same day the design was completed, the name of the road was officially changed from Ledo Road to Stilwell Road.
The award was never used as by the time it was completed it was already outdated.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT THE AWARD AND LEDO ROAD
Engineers built fuel pipelines that paralleled the road
Up to six 4" and 6" pipelines followed the supply line from Calcutta to Kunming
Pipe sections being welded
Pipeline suspended over a river
A landing craft and barges pull pipeline across river
The pipeline disappears as it crosses distant river
Pipelines take a shortcut over a hill
Pumping Station in Burma
Engineers maintain diesel pumping station
Installing support beams for the roof of a fuel storage tank near Myitkyina
Storage tanks
Pipelines carried fuel for planes and trucks. Here convoy trucks refuel at a depot.
LONGEST PIPELINE IN THE WORLD
FUEL FOR FREEDOM
Pipeline system from Assam to Kunming
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP

FIRST CONVOY OVER THE LEDO ROAD
PICK'S PIKE, LIFE LINE FROM INDIA TO CHINA
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FIRST CONVOY SLIDE SHOW
American and Chinese soldiers place flags on a Jeep for the First Convoy over the Ledo Road
First Convoy formed and awaiting departure from Ledo
Lead vehicle is decorated with American and Chinese flags
At symbolic ceremony, General Pick (right) receives orders for first convoy from General Sultan (left).
First Convoy heads out on the Ledo Road, 12 January 1945.
6x6 Deuce 'n' a half (2½ ton truck) decorated for first convoy
More than just a pretty picture - lead truck was also armed with an anti-aircraft gun
Motorcycles lead the 113 vehicle-long convoy
Trucks pause on a narrow stretch
Lead truck continues past one of the many bridges
The First Convoy winds its way through Burma
Army ambulance passes convoy
The convoy made two extended stops as the final route was cleared
Correspondents with first convoy during 3-day layover near Namkham, Burma
MPs assigned to the convoy prepare for overnight layover
General Pick addresses drivers prior to leaving Myitkyina
General Pick in lead jeep at the junction of the Ledo and Burma Roads
Photographers follow lead vehicles
Truck passes ceremonial junction
Sign marks passing of first convoy
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A CLOSE-UP OF THE SIGN
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TEXT OF SIGN
American and Chinese soldiers view the sign, in a different location and with translation added.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A CLOSE-UP OF THE SIGN
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TEXT OF SIGN
Convoy traverses switchbacks on the Burma Road.
Passing Temples and ruins
Flags and fireworks greet the convoy as it passes through Saikwan, China.
Boy gives traditional Chinese good luck greeting as convoy passes. Cover of May 4, 1945 issue of YANK The Army Weekly.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COVER
Convoy assembled for triumphant entry into Kunming
Convoy passes under sign "Welcome the First Convoy on Stilwell Road"
General Pick waves to crowd lining streets of Kunming
People crowd the convoy
First convoy arrives Kunming, China on 4 February 1945.
The long convoy in Kunming
General Pick arriving in Kunming
Lead truck navigates the crowded street
General Pick at road opening ceremony

Governor of Yunnan Province greets General Pick
Sign marks beginning of Ledo Road in Ledo, Assam, India
Larger sign shows mileage to Kunming
Updated version of the large sign with CBI and Ledo Road emblems
General Pick points out Myitkyina, 268 miles from Ledo.
Soldiers pose in front of the large Milepost sign at Ledo
Probably the first Milepost Zero sign at Ledo
Sign at Shingbwiyang shows number of miles to Kunming
Closer look at the "MP" on the sign
Ledo Area Command Headquarters
General Pick inspects Chinglo Hill sign with Col. William J. Green and Col. Charles S. Davis
Convoy parking area south of Bhamo, Burma
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Mileage sign along the road
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On the way back to Assam near Shingbwiyang
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Instructions for crossing the Irrawaddy River
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Not your average speed limit sign
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Pin-up Girls always got a driver's attention
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Another curve warning
"NO YOU CAN'T
GET THAT ANY MORE!
UNLESS YOU DRIVE CAREFULLY
AROUND THESE CURVES"
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And another warning to take it slow
"YOUR DREAMS ARE COMING CLOSER
NOT MUCH MORE TO GO.
THINK IT OVER DRIVER
TAKE IT SLOW!"
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"Speeders Beware! Mark my words, Wait and see, You'll get caught, Just like me."
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"Speeders Beware" sign apparently before it got out on the road
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Jeep driver pauses at sign in this U.S. Army Signal Corps photo
Engineers were also known as "Hairy Ears"
UNCLE SAM CAUTIONS "SPEED LIMIT 25
BE SMART - BE CAREFUL"
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"DON'T BE A SAD SAC - BE ALERT - OBEY
TRAFFIC RULES - SPEED LIMIT 25 M.P.H."
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"TAKE MY ADVICE SOLDIER
WHENEVER YOU DRIVE -
DON'T BE FOOLISH
AND YOU'LL STAY ALIVE"
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Soldier beside "Stay Alive" sign |
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"Listen cats I ain't jivin' Take it easy while you're drivin'"

"I LOVE MY SOLDIER - DRIVE CAREFULLY"

"Bugs Bunny" gets into the act

Making reference to gas rationing back home, sign urges conservation

Another effort by the "rationing" sign maker artist
A small sign marking Milepost Zero and one featuring a Pin-Up Girl urging caution on the curves.
Signs in Pangsau Pass mark the India-Burma border and warn of steep grade and sharp curves.
Junction of Ledo and Burma roads at Mongyu, Burma.
Close-up of Sign
China-bound truck passes sign at junction of Ledo and Burma roads
Signs memorialize one of the 261 engineers who lost their lives during construction.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CLOSE-UP OF SIGN
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TEXT OF SIGN

LEDO ROAD TIMELINE
Click year heading to move to next or scroll to view table
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SECOND SINO-JAPANESE WAR
More
After years of Japanese aggression, full-scale war breaks out.
Many historians regard this as the start of World War II.
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JAPAN BLOCKADES CHINESE PORTS
More
Capture of Hankow and Canton completes blockade of ocean ports.
Supplies must be brought by road through Indo-China and Burma.
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CHINESE FIGHT GUERILLA WAR
More
Under Japanese occupation a relentless guerrilla war is waged.
Staggering losses fail to destroy Chinese morale.
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17 JUL - JAPAN FORCES BRITAIN TO CLOSE BURMA ROAD
More
leaving Russia as the only land supply route to China.
05 SEP - U.S. DECLARES NEUTRALITY
while military and other aid is authorized for Britain and France
18 OCT - BRITAIN REOPENS BURMA ROAD
as no progress toward peace is made with Japan
NOV - LEND-LEASE PROPOSED
More
allowing "lending" of military equipment to U.S. allies.
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04 MAR - AMERICAN MILITARY MISSION TO CHINA ESTABLISHED
More
to support China's war effort was the mission of AMMISCA
11 MAR - LEND-LEASE ACT SIGNED
More
authorizing lending of war supplies to China
APR - RUSSO-JAPANESE NEUTRALITY PACT
ends China's hope for supplies from Russia
10 JUL - FLYING TIGERS DEPART SAN FRANCISCO
More
The American Volunteer Group (AVG) heads to China
26 JUL - U.S. FREEZES ALL JAPANESE ASSETS
the situation becomes critical
07 SEP - JAPANESE FINALIZE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK PLAN
while diplomatic talks with the U.S. continue
16 OCT - TOJO COMES TO POWER
More
as the military gains control of the Japanese Empire
07 DEC - JAPANESE ATTACK PEARL HARBOR
More
"awake a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve"
08 DEC - UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR ON JAPAN
More
Roosevelt forever labels December 7th the "Day of Infamy"
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JAN - JAPANESE INVADE BURMA
More
Japanese "co-prosperity" sphere grows
22 FEB - WAR DEPARTMENT APPROVES ROAD PROJECT
to be supported with Lend-Lease supplies
04 MAR - HQ. AMERICAN ARMY FORCES IN CBI ESTABLISHED
More
The United States organizes in the Far East
MAR - SERVICES OF SUPPLY (SOS) ESTABLISHED
to deliver lend-lease military supplies to China
06 MAR - JAPANESE TAKE RANGOON
closing the important port
02 APR - INDIA-BURMA CAMPAIGN BEGINS
More
the defense of India and Burma begins
29 APR - JAPANESE TAKE LASHIO
thereby closing the Burma Road
04 MAY - STILWELL WALKS OUT OF BURMA
More
and reports "We took a hell of a beating"
22 JUN - CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER ESTABLISHED
More
Commanded by General Joseph W. Stilwell
04 JUL - CHINA DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN BEGINS
More
the defense of China begins
06 JUL - FLYING TIGERS JOIN CHINA AIR TASK FORCE
ex-volunteers join the Army Air Corps.
22 OCT - BRITISH-AMERICAN PLANNING
Joint planning for the retaking of Burma in 1943
29 OCT - STILWELL ORDERS ROAD BUILT
from Ledo forward to Chinese lines
05 NOV - MERRILL PROPOSES ROUTE OF LEDO ROAD
based on British surveys and a refugee trail
26 NOV - SOS OPENS OFFICE IN KUNMING
to coordinate both ends of supply line
15 DEC - BASE SECTION 3 ESTABLISHED
Command for all Ledo Road related operations
16 DEC - CONSTRUCTION OF LEDO ROAD BEGINS
Ill-equipped engineers hack away at the jungle with machetes
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26 JAN - MILE POST 34.5 "HELLGATE"
beginning of the road's ascent into the Patkai Range
28 FEB - LEDO ROAD REACHES INDIA-BURMA BORDER
36 miles into the Patkai Range of the Himalayas
04 MAR - "SHIPMENT 4201" REACHES INDIA
Engineers and support personnel for the road project
17 MAR - THE MONSOONS COME
Unusual fury bogs down construction progress
24 MAR - FIRST SUBDEPOT ESTABLISHED
Rest and refueling stop at Hellgate
MAR - TROOPS ON THE LEDO ROAD
Chinese 38th Division crosses the Burma border
08 APR - CONSTRUCTION BOGS DOWN
Engineers fall back to strengthen the road against the monsoon
01 MAY - ADDITIONAL ENGINEERS ARRIVE
330th Engineers reinforce the construction effort
25 JUN - ARROWSMITH PROMOTED
Commander elevated to Brigadier General
06 JUL - ROAD HEADQUARTERS ESTABLISHED
at Hellgate
15 AUG - SOUTHEAST ASIA COMMAND (SEAC) ESTABLISHED
More
under British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten
17 AUG - QUEBEC CONFERENCE
More
Plan to regain northern Burma is agreed on
SEP - MORE RAIN HALTS WORK
14.88 inches fall late in the month, halting work on the point.
17 OCT - GENERAL PICK IN COMMAND OF ROAD BUILDING
More
injecting new life into the road building effort
22 OCT - MILE POST 60
near Tincha progress on the road reaches about a mile a day
31 OCT - MERRILL'S MARAUDERS ARRIVE
More
volunteers for a dangerous jungle mission "somewhere"
27 DEC - ROAD REACHES SHINGBWIYANG
117 miles to the first "town" in Burma
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13 JAN - STILWELL'S TROOPS CROSS TARUNG
Chinese 22nd and 38th Divisions in heavy fighting
09 FEB - MARAUDERS DEPART LEDO
10 day hike to Shingbwiyang headed deeper into Burma
17 MAY - ALLIES TAKE MYITKYINA AIRFIELD
largest air field in north Burma
26 JUL - MARS TASK FORCE CREATED
remnants of the Marauders and Chinese troops
03 AUG - ALLIES TAKE MYITKYINA
the 79-day siege ends
18 OCT - STILWELL DEPARTS CBI
Chiang Kai-shek prevails and Roosevelt concedes
27 OCT - CBI THEATER REORGANIZED
China Theater of Operations (CTO) & India-Burma Theater (IBT)
OCT - ROAD WITHIN 80 MILES OF MYITKYINA
using Myitkyina's airstrip speeds progress
13 NOV - CBI THEATER INSIGNIA/PATCH APPROVED
having been worn in theater for years
15 DEC - ALLIES TAKE BHAMO
the tide has turned in Burma
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1945
"INEVITABLE TRIUMPH"
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12 JAN - FIRST CONVOY DEPARTS LEDO
the entire route not yet cleared of Japanese resistance
28 JAN - INDIA-BURMA CAMPAIGN ENDS
More
as the Ledo Road is completed
28 JAN - STILWELL ROAD NAMED
at the suggestion of Chiang Kai-shek
04 FEB - FIRST CONVOY ARRIVES KUNMING, CHINA
first supplies are delivered by land since 1942
07 MAR - ALLIES TAKE LASHIO
on the way to Rangoon
20 MAR - ALLIES TAKE MANDALAY
the drive to Rangoon continues
03 MAY - ALLIES TAKE RANGOON
Japanese are cleared from Burma
04 MAY - CHINA DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ENDS
More
war in the Far East winds down
20 MAY - STILWELL ROAD OFFICIALLY OPENED
General Pick formally announces completion
06 AUG - ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA
More
Enola Gay delivers "Little Boy"
09 AUG - ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED ON NAGASAKI
More
Bocks Car delivers "Fat Man"
15 AUG - VICTORY OVER JAPAN
Emperor Hirohito announces acceptance of surrender terms
28 AUG - SURRENDER IN BURMA
Japanese sign the surrender instrument in Rangoon
02 SEP - OFFICIAL SURRENDER
Japanese sign Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri
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1946
WINDING DOWN & MOPPING UP
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02 MAR - ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN ENDS
curtain falls on the old CBI Theater
MAR - MILITARY USE OF STILWELL ROAD ENDS
after being officially open for only 10 months
APR - CHINESE CIVIL WAR RESUMES
More
destined to bring communism to China
12 OCT - GENERAL JOSEPH W. STILWELL DIES
Cancer claims "Uncle Joe" in California
31 DEC - END OF WORLD WAR II
President Truman officially proclaims end of hostilities
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Information in the table below is from various published sources. MILE POST indicates the distance from Ledo along the road. Mileage shown in RED is estimated based on maps. DATE REACHED is approximate and indicates the progress of the roadhead (the farthest point along in construction). LOCATION names in BOLD are shown on the Mileage Sign
at Ledo. Scroll to view complete table.
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MILE POST |
DATE REACHED |
LOCATION |
ALONG THE LEDO ROAD IN INDIA AND BURMA |
0.00 |
01 OCT 42
|
LEDO |
Construction begins from small tea plantation town in northern Assam. |
4 |
16 DEC 42
|
Lekhapani |
Depot at the northern terminus of rail lines from Karachi and Calcutta. |
10 |
 
|
Tokyo Y |
Convoy marshalling point |
15 |
31 DEC 42
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34 |
26 JAN 43
|
Hell Gate |
The road begins its ascent to Pangsau Pass through the Patkai Range of the Himalayas. |
36 |
28 FEB 43
|
Pangsau Pass |
The road crosses the India-Burma border near its highest point at nearly 4,600 feet. |
50 |
01 AUG 43
|
Nawngyawng |
|
55 |
|
Loglai |
Sub-depot. |
60 |
22 OCT 43
|
Tincha |
Progress on the road reaches about a mile per day. |
69 |
|
Namlip |
|
79 |
|
Tagap Ga |
Northernmost point of Japanese infiltration into Burma. |
92 |
NOV 43
|
Nathkaw |
|
95 |
|
Taga Sakan |
|
98 |
|
Chinglow Hill |
Through "seven miles of steep grades and sharp curves" the road descends to Shingbwiyang. |
103 |
27 NOV 43 |
SHINGBWIYANG |
First large "city" reached in Burma was a Kachin village. Here the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Co. established "Little Peoria." |
118 |
|
Ningam Sakan |
|
128 |
|
Yupbang Ga |
Tarung River |
143 |
|
|
Tawang River |
148 |
|
|
Lamung River |
151 |
|
Nritu Ga |
Tanai River |
159 |
|
|
Magwitang River |
161 |
|
Walawbum |
Numhkang River |
175 |
|
Tingkawk Sakan |
|
178 |
|
Jambu Bum |
|
183 |
|
Shadazup |
|
189 |
|
WARAZUP |
Low point in this area required the building of a causeway through the swamp, 18 inches above the highest flood level. |
205 |
OCT 44 |
Nampin |
|
222 |
|
Tumbonghka |
|
234 |
|
Namti |
Kachin village midway between Myitkyina and Mogaung. |
254 |
|
Myitkyina Fork |
The north fork to Myitkyina, the south fork (Ledo Road) bypassing the city, to the Irrawaddy and Nampaung. |
268 |
AUG 44 |
MYITKYINA |
The airfield at Myitkyina was the largest in north Burma and became an important hub for air operations supporting road construction and Hump flights. |
272 |
06 DEC 44 |
Irrawaddy River |
1,627-foot long bridge (853 feet of it floating) spans the Irrawaddy between Myitkyina and Waingmaw. Completed 31 MAR 45. |
287 |
|
Nampaung |
|
299 |
|
Kazu |
|
329 |
|
Nalong |
|
354 |
|
Myothit |
Taping River |
372 |
|
BHAMO |
|
439 |
|
Namkham |
Dr. Gordon Seagrave's hospital overlooked this city in the Shweli River Valley. |
465 |
27 JAN 45 |
Mongyu |
Last Japanese resistance is cleared and the Ledo Road joins the old Burma Road near Wanting, China. |

The China-Burma-India Theater
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
Early progress of the Ledo Road
Map from The Ledo Road by Leslie Anders, University of Oklahoma Press. Used by permission.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
Planned route of the Ledo Road
Map from The Ledo Road by Leslie Anders, University of Oklahoma Press. Used by permission.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
Shingbwiyang to Warazup
Map from The Ledo Road by Leslie Anders, University of Oklahoma Press. Used by permission.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
Myitkyina to Mongyu
Map from The Ledo Road by Leslie Anders, University of Oklahoma Press. Used by permission.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
The Stilwell Road (Ledo and Burma Roads)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED MAP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENLARGED TABLE
A primary source of information for this site was
The Ledo Road
by Leslie Anders,
published by the
University of Oklahoma Press.
This book is an excellent source of information about the building of
the Ledo Road.
Below you will see some facts about the building of the Ledo Road,
including the cost in dollars and more importantly, American lives.
You will see numbers supporting the fact that the Ledo Road was quite an engineering accomplishment,
made even more so by the fact that it was built during wartime in the battle zone of northern Burma.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW COVER PHOTO
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR BOOK
While supplies that moved over the road were lend-lease (to be paid for or returned) the
cost of building the road itself was borne mostly by the United States. The exact cost could not
be determined for various reasons, including the fact that some of the costs attributed to
building the road were actually incurred on other smaller projects carried out by the
road engineers.
The final estimated cost:
U.S. Troop labor.................. $ 31,766,000
Materials and Supplies............ 33,912,000
Equipment, fuel, repairs.......... 51,956,000
Overhead.......................... 19,424,000
Sub-Total......................... 137,058,000
Chinese Troop labor............... 2,410,000
Indian military, civilian labor... 9,442,000
Sub-Total......................... 11,852,000
Grand Total....................... $148,910,000
Present Day (2025) Dollars...... $2,595,079,388
The greater cost of building the Ledo Road is measured in human lives. The entire length of the
Stilwell Road was 1,079 miles. American fatalities in the area commanded from Ledo were 1,133.
For this reason the human cost is often stated as "A Man A Mile."
Overall
Killed in combat................. 624
Died of Typhus................... 63
Died of Malaria.................. 11
Died by Drowning................. 53
Died in Road Accidents........... 44
Died in Aircraft Accidents....... 173
Total Ledo Road Fatalities....... 1133
Among Engineer Units
Killed in combat.................. 130
Died of Typhus.................... 8
Died of Malaria................... 7
Died of Other Causes.............. 116
Total Engineer Fatalities......... 261
Engineers moved 13,500,000 cubic yards of earth in building the road
Enough earth to build a wall 3 feet wide and 10 feet high from New York to San Francisco
Engineers dug 1,383,000 cubic yards of gravel from riverbeds to surface the road
If loaded on rail cars the train would be 427 miles long
The Ledo Road crossed 10 major rivers and 155 smaller streams
Seven hundred bridges over the length of the road
Construction was as much a drainage project as a road building effort
An average 13 culverts per mile were used totaling 105 miles of pipe
Foresters gathered 822,000 cubic feet of lumber for use in building the road
One million board feet of lumber and 2400 pilings were used in a causeway over the swamp
Of the 15,000 Engineers who built the road, over 60% were African-American
The "colored" or "negro" troops received the jobs nobody else wanted
The supply line from the United States to CBI was 12,000 miles long
Longest supply line in World War II
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