Figure 1.-Here we see a scene near Kunming during World War II, probably around the Wujiaba air base. We are not sure what type of vehicles are in the background. One seems to bean ambulances. Some of the soldiers may have been British. Most of the foreign soldiers in Kunming were American. The city was also full of refugees, including many children. Notice how these very young children are caring for their even younger siblings.

Kunming is a city in southwestern China, bordering Myanmar (at the time Burma). It played an important role in World War II because it was the entry point for Allied supplies delivered along the Burma Road. As a result, it was an important Chinese , primarily serving as a major military center for the Chinese Nationalists. Set in the interior, Japanese ground forces could not get to Kunming, but it was heavily bombed. Kunming was a small backward, provincial town--still a walled city. . After the Japanese invaded China (July 1937), refugees began moving south. This began the transformation of Kunming into a modern city. The Chinese moved the Air Force Academy from Jianqiao Airbase to Kunming's Wujiaba Airbase and began expanding the airfield. The Nationalists prepared Kunming as an alternate National Redoubt in case the temporary capital in Chongqing/Chunking fell, An elaborate system of caves impervious to bombing was prepared. The American Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group--AVG) arrived (December 1941). After Burma fell, Kunming became the Tiger's main air base. They provided air defenses for the city and began attacks on Japanese air bases. The Tigers operated from the Wujiaba Airfield. The Japanese invaded Burma and cut the Burma Road (January 1942). The Flying Tigers and Chinese thus could only be supplied by flying the Hump. This was he air route over the towering Himalayas> It was dangerous but a vital supply line for China because it was the only was if getting supplies to the Chinese during the War. Air delivery severely limited the quantity of supplies. Due to its location the Burma Road and closeness to Indian airfields, , Kunming became a crucial transport hub for supplies coming from India over the Hump to support the Chinese war effort. The major American effort in the CBI Theater was aimed at reopening th Burma road. his was done by construing the Ledo Road, and supplies finally began reaching China (January 1945).

Created: 7:53 AM 2/10/2025
Last updated: 7:53 AM 2/10/2025