WAR DEPARTMENT
     HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES 
                    WASHINGTON
 
 
May 4, 1942
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
(The White House)
 
Subject: India-Burma-China Ferry Route.
 
        The ferry route from India to China now goes through Karachi, 
Delhi, Allahabad, Tezpur, Sadiya, then to Myitkina in Burma, and 
then to Yunnanyi. An alternate route has been established from Sadiya 
to Likiang, thence north to Pihsien near Chengtu. Due to the fact that 
the Japanese have now pushed north in Burma to the vicinity of Manda-
lay and Lashio, it is probable that the use of the airport at Myitkina 
will very shortly be denied us, as it is within 200 miles of the        
present Japanese front and will be subject to continued bombing. This 
means, therefore, that the alternate route from Sadiya to Likiang will 
have to be used. Mountain ranges and peaks on this route up to about 
21,000 feet will make navigation hazardous, even during periods of 
good weather. During the period from May 15th to October 15th, air 
travel through this area will in all probability be very sketchy due 
to the heavy rains, coupled with the high elevation of the mountains. 
So far as is known, there is no other route available from India to 
China than the one described above. 
     This information is furnished you tc show what we may expect from 
now until October 15th in the matter of air transportation from India 
to China. Should the Japanese during this period push farther north 
and interdict the route in India in the vicinity of Tezpur, the route 
will be permanently put out of commission, even after the monsoon season, 
until the Japanese have been removed from this area.
 
		     /h/ H. H. ARNOLD
                         H. H. ARNOLD
                    Lieutenant General, U.S. A. 
               Commanding General, Army Air Forces