Capture of
Myitkyina Airdrome


 Photographs by Bernard Hoffman

   On May 17, 1944, American, Chinese, and Kachin troops began the assault on Myitkyina, an important objective in North Burma.  The airfield was captured rather quickly, but the battle for the city would last more than two months. General Joseph Stilwell and a group of correspondents arrived at the Myitkyina airfield the following day, after fighting had subsided.
   The American troops were Merrill's Marauders and their story was told in the June 26, 1944 issue of LIFE magazine. Only a few of the photos Bernard Hoffman took at the airfield were used in the article,the rest are shown below, from the LIFE Photo Collection at Google Arts & Culture. Some images may be disturbing.

Scroll down or click any image to continue












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Colonel Charles Hunter, commanding Merrill's Maruaders at Myitkyina airfield,
pointing out some action to General Joseph Stilwell.














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General Stilwell with Colonel Hunter. At left is the general's Chinese aide.














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Capture of Myitkyina Airdrome

Photographs by Bernard Hoffman

China-Burma-India Theater of World War II
Myitkyina, Burma, May 1944



TOP OF PAGE

U.S. FOOT SOLDIERS IN BURMA    UNDER SIEGE AT MYITKYINA

BERNARD HOFFMAN    GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE

REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN THEATER OF WORLD WAR II


  FOR PRIVATE NON-COMMERCIAL HISTORICAL REFERENCE ONLY  




Copyright 2017 Carl W. Weidenburner     Portions copyright 1944 Time, Inc.         Visitors