Description of Routes
 
 
 
                           ROUTE A
 
Route A is the existing route. The danger of losing the 
advanced base at Sadya may be considered imminent. This would neces-
sitate a direct flight to China from bases in the general vicinity of
Allahabad.
 
                          ROUTE B
 
 
                 Proposed Route B can be started at Basra, about 60 miles 
northwest from the Persian Gulf, now employed by the British as a port 
of disembarkation in the Middle East. Facilities at Basra are now heavily 
taxed, and they must be increased before the port can be put to any
extensive use by our forces. As an alternative, Bushire, in Southern 
Persia, 200 miles Southwest from the mouth of the Tigris and Euphrates 
may be established as the western terminus of proposed Route B. Harbor 
facilities at Bushire are now limited and must undergo extensive improve-
ment before the port will be serviceable.
 
                 From Basra (or alternatively Bushire) aircraft can fly with-
out difficulty to Ashkabad, a distance from either port of about 800 miles. 
Ashkabad, capital of Turkmen, is about 50 miles North of the Persian border 
and is on the Transcaucasian Railroad, which lies wholly within the U.S.S.R. 
Gasoline can be made readily available from Baku, a distance of about 
550 miles.
 
		 From Ashkabad supplies can be carried by rail to Alma Ata, 
the Eastern terminus of the Transcaucasian Railroad, passing intermediately 
through Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent. The distance between Ashkabad 
and Alma Ata by rail is about 1200 miles. There are no railroad facilities 
East of Alma Ata.
 
                 From Alma Ata supplies can be transported by truck or air along 
the established caravan route well to the North of the Taklamakan desert, 
passing through Urumchi, Sula Ansi, Yaomo Shan and Lanchow. In large part 
this road is hardly more than a trail, and will require considerable im-
provement before trucks can be used to full advantage. The distance from 
Alma Ata to Lanchow is about 1700 miles and from Lanchow southeast to 
Chungking about 500 miles.
 
                 Proposed Route B lies North of the Monsoon area and is 
relatively free of mountains, lakes and other barriers. The climate is 
favorable for air or motor transportation. A stretch of desert in the