As far as Lanchow, this route is almost entirely through Russian or 
Russian-controlled territory and its use would require the full cooperation 
of the Russian Government. Because of the necessity for development of land-
ing fields and installation of gasoline and supplies, this route cannot be 
considered for immediate use. It is, however, of great strategic value to 
the United States.
 
      Tab A describes these routes in greater detail. Tab B shows the routes 
plotted on a map, scale 1:15, 000,000.
 
RECOMMENDATIONS
 
I recommend:
 
              1. That the existing route, Route A, be continued, using the 
transports now allocated to the maximum extent as long as possible.
 
              2. That plans be made for continuation of Route A without using 
the airports at Sadiya and Tezpur, should their use be denied us due to 
enemy interference.
 
                    That for this purpose a decision be made as to the relative 
value of 50 B-24 type aircraft used as transports moving goods into China 
as against the same number of B-24' s used to drop bombs in Germany. (It 
will take about 10 days to modify each one of these bombers for this pur-
pose, but when they are completed 50 may be expected to carry approximately 
1200 tons per month. )
 
              3. That if it is decided to use B-24's for this purpose, 25 be 
diverted from British allocations and 25 from United States allocations, 
and that these airplanes be modified for this purpose immediately and 
delivered to India as early as possible.
 
              4. That General Stilwell be directed to investigate airdrome 
facilities between Allahabad and Sadiya in an effort to develop bases 
which are protected as much as possible from the threat of Japanese bomb-
ing attack.
 
              5. That the strategic importance of the Alaska- Eastern Siberia 
Route is so great that appropriate action be Anitiated to develop this 
route with the least possible delay.
 
                                    /h/  H.H. ARNOLD
					 H.H. ARNOLD
                                      Lieutenant  General, U.S.A.
                                   Commanding General, Army Air Forces
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incls: (2)
Tab A- description of routes.