SPECIALITIES

Originally named the “Ledo Road”, it was constructed under the direct supervision of American General Joseph Warren Stilwell, and was renamed after him in early 1945 at the suggestion of Generalissimo Chaing Kai-shek. General Stilwell was the Chief of Staff to Allied forces in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theatre for the defence of Burma (Mynamar) from Japanese forces. Stilwell technically served under Generlissimo Chaing Kai-shek, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in China and such parts of Indo-China (now Vietnam) and Siam (now Thailand) as might become accessible to the troops, and in 1943 fell under Admiral Lord Mountbatten who was appointed Supreme Allied Commander of South-East Asia forces. At that time, Stilwell was also appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia forces. However, General Stilwell, as a result of his multiple positions within complex command structures, was able to often break the chain of commands, and communicated directly with the US Joint Chiefs of Staff on operational matters.