Source:  "Order of Battle of the United States Army Ground Forces in World War II", Office of the Chief of Military History, 1959

(* The friendly Order of Battle for the Pacific is designed to cover-the activities of United States units that participated in that area. Therefore coverage of Allied commands and units is limited to such entries as are necessary to give a clear picture of their relationship to U.S. units and vice versa. Although General Stilwell held the positions of Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Commanding General USAF CBI, Commanding General, Chinese Army in India, Deputy Supreme Commander, SEAC, and others, this record of events will cover, insofar as possible, only American units and installations in China, Burma, and India that came under his command.)

On 7 December 1941 the United States was represented in China by the American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA)*. AMMISCA was established at Chungking, China, 4 October 1941 under Brig. Gen. John Magruder, whose mission was, in general, to assist and advise the Chinese Government in all phases of procurement, transport, and maintenance of material, equipment, and munitions requisite to the prosecution of China's military effort.

(* From NARA records:  "Commonly referred to as "AMMISCA" ("American Mission to China"). Established August 27, 1941, to facilitate lend-lease aid to China. Headed by Brig. Gen. John Magruder. Functions and personnel absorbed by Headquarters American Army Forces, China, Burma, India (predecessor of U.S. Army Forces, China-Burma-India), by May 1942. Discontinued by September 1944."  ed: no current infomation on the differences in the date of establishment for AMMISCA)

In accordance with an agreement between the governments of China and the United States, General Joseph W. Stilwell was designated by the War Department as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander of the China Theater (Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek). In addition to this position he was appointed as Commanding General of the United States Army Forces in the Chinese Theater of Operations, Burma and India.* His mission was to increase the effectiveness of United States assistance to the Chinese Government for the prosecution of the war and to assist in improving the combat efficiency of the Chinese Army.

(* It is assumed that the appointment of a Commanding General, USAF, CTO and IB, referred to his commanding of United States personnel in China, India, and Burma, and not the establishment of a Headquarters of a USAF, CTO, IB.)

General Stilwell's force was designated as The United States Task Force in China and upon arriving in China the units and personnel of the task force and the personnel of AMMISCA were integrated to form Headquarters, American Army Forces, China, Burma and India (AAF CBI). This headquarters was established at Chungking, China, 4 March 1942.

On 22 June 1942 all units and individuals under Stilwell's command were relieved from assignment to Army Group. Washington, D.C, and assigned to American Army Forces, India, China, and Burma. The radio from the War Department directing this action was regarded, it appears, as sufficient authority for the establishment of a theater of operation in China, Burma, and India. On 6 July 1942 the command structure of this theater was set up. Headquarters, American Army Forces, China, Burma and India, remained at Chungking, and Branch Office, Headquarters, American Army Forces, CBI,* was established at New Delhi, India.

(* An explanation of the change in sequence of place names in the new command title from AAF ICB to AAF CBI has not been found.)

In order to eliminate the possibility of confusing the abbreviation AAF (American Army Forces) with the abbreviation of Army Air Forces (AAF),it became accepted practice to use United States Army Forces, China, Burma and India (USAF CBI). (ed: HQ AAF CBI was redesignated HQ USAF CBI by 12 September 1942.)

On 24 October 1944 the China, Burma and India Theater was abolished and the China Theater (USF CT) and the India. Burma Theater (USF IBT) were established as separate and distinct theaters. Lt.Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer commanded the China Theater and also became Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The primary responsibility of the Commanding General, USF CT, was to conduct air operations against Japan from China.

4 Mar 42:  Hq American Army Forces, China, Burma and India formally established at Chungking, China.

21 Mar 42:  Rear Ech AAF CBI established at Lashio, Burma.

8 Apr 42:  Fwd Ech AAF CBI established at Maymyo, Burma. Dets Hq AAF CBI established at Kunming, China, and Calcutta, India.

23 Apr 42:  SOS CBI established at Karachi, India, as a subordinate command of AAF CBI (See R/E SOS CBI).

25 Apr 42:  Rear Ech CP at Lashio, Burma, dep for Pao-shan, China; arr 1 May.

16 May 42:  Hq and Hq Sq Tenth Air Force arr New Delhi India, and asgd as subordinate command to Hq USAF CBI.

20 May 42:  Fwd Ech USAF CBI reached Imphal. India.

30 Jun 42:  Ramgarh Training Center established. (See R/E for RTC.)

2 Jul 42:  Gen Stilwell desig comdr of Chinese Army in India. (See R/E for CAI.)

6 Jul 42:  Hq USAF CBI org at Chungking, China. Branch Off Hq USAF CBI org at New Delhi, India.

18 Jul 42:  CG USAF CBI established Branch Off of Hq USAF CBI at Kunming, China, desig as U.S. Kunming Area Comd.

5 Nov 42:  USAF CBI assumed responsibility for construction of Ledo Road fr Ledo to Myitkyina.

24 Nov 42:  Branch Off Hq USAF CBI at New Delhi redesig Rear Ech Hq USAF CBI (presumably hq at Chungking became Fwd Ech ).

* 21 Jan 43:   Hq USAF CBI Theater was formally divided into Fwd Ech Hq USAF CBI at Chungking, and Rear Ech Hq USAF CBI at New Delhi, both hq being act this date.

(* The 24 November 1942 entry indicates that the Branch Office at New Delhi had already been redesig Rear Echelon. The duplication may be due to the use of the terms "organization," "activation," etc; or it may indicate the change from Headquarters AAF CBI to Headquarters USAF CBI.)

21 Jan 43:  Hq and Hq Det, Chinese Training and Combat Command (CT&CC), act Ramgarh, Bihar, India, under USAF CBI. (See R/E for CT&CC.)

16 Feb 43:  Combat Trps, Ledo Sector (APO 689), act with hq at Ledo, as subordinate comd of USAF CBI, with mission of protecting construction of Ledo Road.

10 Mar 43:  Fourteenth Air Force act with hq Kunming and placed under opnl contl of CG USAF CBI.

29 Apr 43:  Y-Force Opns Staff (Y-FOS) act Kunming, China. (See R/E for Y-FOS)

1 May 43:  Fwd Ech Branch Off USAF CBI established Kunming. U.S. Kunming Area Comd discontinued.

5 Aug 43:  Joint Array-Navy Intel Collection Agency, CBI (JICA CBI), established and atchd to Hq USAF CBI as special staff sec.

20 Aug 43:  Hq Army Air Force. India-Burma Sector, CBI Theater, act New Delhi as sub-command of USAF CBI.

10 Oct 43:  5307th Comp Regt (Prov) org. (See R/E for 5307th Comp Regt (Prov).)

1 Nov 43:  5315th Inf Tng Cen (Prov) act Kweilin, China, to train trps of CAI in E China. Assumed to be subcomd of Hq USAF CBI. Disbanded 25 Jul (See R/E for 5315th Inf Tng Cen.)

16 Nov 43:  CG USAF CBI desig as Deputy Supreme Allied Comdr, Southeast Asia (Dep SACSEA)

31 Dec 43:  Branch Off Fwd Ech Hq USAF CBI at Kunming discontinued.

1 Jan 44:  Z-Force Opns Staff (Z-FOS) act at Chungking as subcomd of Fwd Ech Hq USAF CBI. (See R/E for Z-FOS.)

1 Feb 44:  Northern Combat Area Comd (NCAC) act. (See R/E for NCAC).

1 Feb 44:  Combat Trps, Ledo Sector, discontinued.

1 Apr 44:  Hq USAF CBI (main hq) established New Delhi. Fwd Ech continued at Chungking; Rear Ech at New Delhi discontinued.

16 Apr 44:  Planning Sec, as an additional staff sec of Hq USAF CBI, act.

27 May 44:  Mission of USAF CBI as restated by War Dept was conduct of such mil opns in China as would support main offensive in the Pacific.

17 Jul 44:   CG USAF CBI became OG NCAC and retained comd of CAI as well.

24 Oct 44:  USAF CBI Theater abolished. China Theater (USF CT) and India, Burma Theater (USF IBT) established in its place.

Commander:  Lt Gen Joseph W Stilwell, 4 Mar 42; Maj Gen Raymond A Wheeler, 24 Apr 43; Lt Gen Joseph W Stilwell, 8 Jun 43; Maj Gen Thomas G Hearn, 19 Nov 43; Lt Gen Joseph W Stilwell, 9 Dec 43; Gen Joseph W Stilwell (promotion), 1 Aug 44 *; Lt Gen Daniel I Sultan, 19 Oct 44

(* General Stilwell was notified of his relief from responsibilities in Asia by Chief of Staff U.S. Army, 19 October 1944 and departed Chungking 21 October 1944. General Sultan was temporarily in comd as of 19 October 1944 )

Assigned to:  War Department, 4 Mar 42

Source:  National Archives Records

Headquarters American Army Forces, China, Burma, and India (HQ AAF CBI) established in Chungking, China, by General Order 1, HQ AAF CBI, March 4, 1942, pursuant to Secretary of War's appointment of Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell as Commanding General of all U.S. Army forces in China, Burma, and India, conveyed in a Chief of Staff memorandum to the Adjutant General, WPD 4389-64, February 2, 1942. (By same memorandum, Gen. Stilwell was appointed Republic of China army chief of staff.) By May 1942, HQ AAF CBI had absorbed Chungking staff of U.S. Military Mission to China, commonly known as "AMMISCA" ("American Mission to China"), established August 27, 1941, to facilitate lend-lease aid to China. A second AAF CBI headquarters was established in New Delhi, India, by letter of the Commanding General, June 25, 1942, pursuant to War Department message 354, sent as CM-OUT 5537, June 22, 1942, in effect instructing Gen. Stilwell to organize a theater of operations staff. Thenceforth, the area of operations over which Gen. Stilwell had command of U.S. Army forces was referred to as the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater.

By Letter of Instructions, HQ AAF CBI (Chungking), July 6, 1942, Chungking headquarters was designated HQ AAF CBI, and New Delhi headquarters was designated Branch Office, HQ AAF CBI. To avoid confusion with the Army Air Forces' acronym, "AAF," HQ AAF CBI was redesignated HQ USAF CBI, by September 12, 1942. Status of HQ USAF CBI as a theater headquarters was confirmed by letter of the Secretary of War to the Commanding General, USAF CBI, AG 320.2 (1-26-43) OB-I-GN-M, January 29, 1943. HQ AAF CBI redesignated Forward Echelon, HQ USAF CBI; and Branch Office, HQ AAF CBI redesignated Rear Echelon, HQ USAF CBI, effective April 1, 1944, by General Order 5, Forward Echelon, HQ USAF CBI, March 31, 1944, with Rear Echelon in charge of overall planning and administration, and Forward Echelon responsible for liaison with Chinese Government and execution of Rear Echelon directives to U.S. Army organizations in China.

Gen. Stilwell recalled by President Roosevelt, October 21, 1944, announced October 28, 1944. By War Department message WARX 52150, October 25, 1944, sent same date as CM-OUT 52150, CBI Theater divided, effective October 24, 1944, into China Theater and India-Burma Theater.

Source:  "The Army Almanac", U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950

Primary mission:  Increase the effectiveness of United States assistance to the Chinese Government for the prosecution of the war and to assist in improving the combat efficiency of the Chinese Army. On 27 May 1944 the mission became "the conduct of such military operations in China as would most effectively support an effort directed against enemy forces in the Pacific" and the exploitation of the development of overland communications to China.

Commander:  Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, 4 March 1942-24 April 1943. Maj. Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler, 24 April 1943-8 June 1943. Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, 8 June 1943-19 November 1943. Maj. Gen. T. G. Hearn, 19 November 1943-9 December 1943. Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, 9 December 1943-24 October 1944.

Chronology of events:  Activated as American Army Forces in China-Burma-India with headquarters at Chungking, China, 4 March 1942 per General Orders 1, Headquarters, AAF, CBI, Chungking, 4 March 1942 as quoted in CBI Theater of Operations, 21 May 1942 to 24 October 1944, page 45. All American troops on Asiatic mainland designated USAF, CBI by War Department 15 March 1942 per History of IBT, 24 June to 31 May 1946, Vol. 3, Chronology. Headquarters at New Delhi named Headquarters USAF, CBI and echelon at Chungking became Forward Echelon, USAF, CBI 1 April 1944 per same source. CBI Theater divided into India-Burma Theater and China Theater, 24 October 1944 per radio OPD, 25 October 1944, CM-OUT-52150 (25 October 1944).

Source:  "Order of Battle of the United States Army Ground Forces in World War II", Office of the Chief of Military History, 1959

HQ USF CT established in Chungking by General Order 1, HQ USF CT, October 25, 1944, under command of Maj. Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer, appointed effective October 24, 1944. Moved to Shanghai, October 14, 1945. Abolished, effective May 1, 1946, by General Order 97, HQ USF CT, April 29, 1946, with residual functions transferred to Headquarters U.S. Army Forces in China (HQ USAF China), established by General Order 1, May 1, 1946. HQ USAF China abolished, effective July 1, 1946, by HQ USAF China message CFBX 0346, June 28, 1946, received as CM-IN 6332, June 29, 1946.

With the abolition of USAF CBI, 24 October 1944, two new theaters were substituted for it: United States Army Forces, China Theater (USF CT) and United States Forces, India, Burma Theater (USF IBT).

Headquarters, USF CT, was established at Chungking, China. The new headquarters functioned as a part of the Allied Command, China Theater, whose Supreme Allied Commander was Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The JCS issued directives to Headquarters, USF CT, giving it missions within the China Theater. Primary responsibility of Headquarters, USF CT, was to conduct air operations from China. Boundaries of the China Theater included the mainland of China and Indo-China and the islands immediately adjacent thereto, such as Hong Kong, but excluded Formosa and Hainan. The Commanding General, USF CT, commanded U.S. forces within the geographic boundaries of the China Theater with the exception of Headquarters, China Division, India-China Wing, ATC; XX Bomber Command; Naval Group, China, and other quasi-military organizations.

Subordinate commands of Headquarters, USF CT, were Y-FOS; Z-FOS; Fourteenth Air Force: and Advance Section No. 1, SOS USAF CBI.

10 Nov 44:  Adv Sec No. 1, SOS CBI, at Kunming, China, redesig SOS USF CT. (It had remained in existence under Hq USF CT since 24 Oct 44 after the theater split.)

27 Nov 44:  Hq USF CT drafted ALPHA Plan, a U.S. plan for Sino-American forces to defend Kunming and Chungking. Objectives of plan were to delay the Japanese advs into South and Southeast China and to block the Japanese drive.

17 Nov 44:  Y-and Z-FOS disbanded. That portion of CT&CC CBI within CT redesig CT&CC CT with hq at Kunming.

1 Dec 44:  CG CT restated the mission of USF CT to its subordinate comds and detailed new missions for them. USF CT was to defend key installations, air and supply bases in southwestern China. In co-operation with CG USF IBT, USF CT was to develop and protect air and ground lines of communications between India, Burma, and China. USF CT was also to train an effective Sino-American ground team to wage, as early as possible, offensive warfare against the Japanese to secure air bases to support the Pacific offensive.

13 Dec 44:  Rear Ech Hq USF CT established at Kunming. Hq at Chungking became Fwd Ech Hq USF CT.

8 Jan 45:  Chinese Combat Comd (Prov) and Chinese Tng Comd (Prov) org as separate and component parts of CT&CC CT. In effect the latter became paper orgn and the COs of CCC (Prov) and CTC (Prov) reported directly to CG USF CT. (See R/Es for CCC and CTC.)

26 Jan 45:  Burma Road officially opened. Opnl contl of road was responsibility of Hq USF CT.

6 Feb 45:  Status of OSS, operating in CT under JCS directive, clarified by Hq USF CT. OSS was considered separate comd under contl of Hq USF CT. It functioned as a special staff sec.

6 Apr 45:  U.S. Naval Gp, China, placed under comd and opnl contl of CG USF CT by JCS, and on 13 May CG USF CT formally directed U.S. Naval Gp, China, to operate directly under its contl.

20 Apr 45:  1st War Area Liaison Team org at Kunming, and on 2 May constituted and placed under opnl contl of Hq USF CT.

27 Apr 45:  Joint Army-Navy Intel Collection Agency, China, established under comd and opnl contl of USF CT and functioned as a staff sec of Hq USF CT.

5 May 45:  Chungking Sta Comd established to administer service functions in Chungking and environs. (See R/E for Chungking Sta Comd.)

1 Jul 45:  Tac Hq, USF CT, established in Kunming as adv or fld hq with mission of co-ordinating tac plans and combat and admin opns of CTC (Prov), CCC (Prov), SOS, CT, and Fourteenth Air Force.

6 Jul 45:  U.S. Army Air Forces, CT, org as subordinate comd of USF CT.

15 Jul 45:  Rear Ech Hq USF CT discontinued at Kunming.

20 Jul 45:  Fourteenth Air Force asgd to USAAF CT.

10 Aug 45:  Hq USF CT given new mission to become effective when JCS notified it of surrender of Japanese Government, mission based on principle that U.S. would not support Central Government of China in internal war. Central Government was to have full responsibility for problems involved in surrender and repatriation of enemy trps except where the acceptance of surrender was temporarily delegated to U.S. commanders with the approval of Central Government and CG USF CT. CG USF CT directed to support with mil assistance opns of Central Government in occupying all areas of China held by Japanese.

Commander:  Maj Gen Claire L Chennault, 24 Oct 44; Maj Gen Albert C Wedemeyer, 31 Oct 44; Lt Gen Albert C Wedemeyer (Promotion), 1 Jan 45; Maj Gen Claire L Chennault, 20 Feb 45; Lt Gen Albert C Wedemeyer , 9 Apr 45

Assigned to:  War Department, 24 Oct 44

Source:  "The Army Almanac", U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950

Primary mission:  With respect to Chinese troops, to "advise and assist the Generalissimo in the conduct of military operations against the Japanese." With respect to American troops, to "carry out air operations from China" and to "continue to assist the Chinese air and ground forces in operations, training and logistical support."

Commander:  Maj. Gen. Claire Chennault, 24 October 1944-31 October 1944. Maj. Gen. (later Lt. Gen.) Albert C. Wedemeyer, 31 October 1944-1 May 1946.

Chronology of events:  Established 24 October 1944 per radio OPD, 25 October 1944, CM-OUT-52150 (25 October 1944). Headquarters at Chungking, China. Headquarters, USF, CT moved to Shanghai 14 October 1945 per Chronology, History of IBT, Vol. 3. Discontinued 1 May 1946 by WARX 82100, 26 March 1946 per radio from China Theater, 17 April 1946, CM-IN-3634 (18 April 1946).

Source:  "Order of Battle of the United States Army Ground Forces in World War II", Office of the Chief of Military History, 1959

HQ USF IBT established in New Delhi by General Order 1, HQ USF IBT, October 27, 1944, under command of Lt. Gen. Daniel I. Sultan, appointed effective October 24, 1944. Responsible for U.S. forces in India, Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, the Malay States, and Sumatra. Gen. Sultan succeeded in command by Maj. Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler, June 23, 1945. HQ USF IBT moved to Calcutta, April 15, 1946. Abolished, effective May 31, 1946, by General Order 174, HQ USF IBT, May 23, 1946.

Headquarters, United States Forces, India, Burma Theater (USF IBT) was established 24 October 1944 at New Delhi, following the abolition of USAF CBI. USF CT was established at Chungking, China.

The Commanding General, USF IBT, became also Commanding General NCAC, and on 3 November 1944 he was given an additional appointment as Commander in Chief, Chinese Army in India (CAI). The Commanding General USF IBT, was responsible to JCS for control of all U.S. troops in the theater and to SACSEA for their operations in Burma, Commanding General, NCAC, and Commander in Chief, CAI, were under operational control of SACSEA. India, Burma Theater included India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra.

Commanding General USF IBT, had two main missions: logistical support of China Theater and participation in and support of operations of SEAC. Headquarters, USF IBT, was to act as communications zone headquarters for the China Theater, establishing, maintaining, and operating the land (Burma and Ledo Roads) and air lines of cornnunications.

Major Commands of Headquarters, USF IBT, were RTC, AAF IBT and SOS USAF CBI.

2 Dec 44:  CG USF IBT and CG USF CT agreed to f ollowing division of responsibility: Hq USF IBT was to be responsible for construction and maintenance of Ledo Road up to Burma-China border vic Wanting; USF CT to be responsible for construction and maintenance within China. Hq USF IBT was also responsible for construction, maintenance, and opn of pipelines to Kunming and motor transport opns on Ledo Road as far as Kunming.

23 Jan 45:  Under War Department directive on Chinese lend-lease policy and procedure, CG USF IBT was made responsible for determining type and quantity of supplies to be delivered to CAI; determining priorities and maintenance of records of transfer of supplies to Chinese within IBT; requisitioning or bidding for supplies for units; and receipt, storage, and transportation of supplies within IBT boundaries, unless otherwise agreed upon by theater comdrs.

8 Feb 45:  Hq OSS IBT org at Kandy, Ceylon, as subordinate comd of Hq USF IBT.

26 Feb 45:  Repl Sv reld from SOS USF IBT and asgd as subordinate comd to Hq USF IBT.

6 Apr 45:  Joint Army-Navy Intel Collection Agency, IBT (JICA IBT), established with hq New Delhi.

5 May 45:  SACSEA announced end of org enemy resistance in Burma.

15 May 45:  RCT discontinued by CG USF IBT.

21 May 45:  CG USF IBT assumed functions of CG SOS USF IBT, which was discontinued. Base, intermediate, and adv secs of SOS USF IBT were redesig base, intermediate, and adv secs of USF IBT and became subordinate to comd of Hq USF IBT.

21 May 45:  American Delhi Mil Area Comd (ADMAC), SOS USF IBT, became ADMAC, Hq USF IBT (assumed), subordinate comd of Hq USF IBT. (See R/E for ADMAC.) Trans Sv, SOS USF IBT, became Trans Sv, USF IBT, a subcomd of Hq USF IBT.

21 May 45:  Following agreement of USF IBT and ALFSEA authorities, British Twelfth Army assumed responsibility for NCAC territory north of line Mong Mit - Molo - Namhkam; remainder of area taken over by British after withdrawal of Chinese troops.

14 Aug 45:  Most of Hq USF IBT construction projects canceled by War Dept.

Commander:  Lt Gen Daniel I Sultan, 24 Oct 44; Lt Gen Raymond A Wheeler, 23 Jun 45

Assigned to:  War Department, 24 Oct 44

Attached to:  Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia (SACSEA), 24 Oct 44 (assumed); Allied Land Forces, Southeast Asia (ALFSEA), 12 Nov 44-15 Aug 45

Source:  "The Army Almanac", U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950

Primary mission:  To support the China Theater in carrying out its mission. This includes the establishment, maintenance, operation, and security of the land line of communication to China, and the security of the air route to China. Responsibility "for the logistic and administrative support of all United States Army Forces in the India-Burma Theater."

Commander:  Lt. Gen. Daniel I. Sultan, 27 October 1944-23 June 1945. Lt. Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler, 23 June 1945-29 September 1945. Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Terry, 29 September 1945-17 February 1946. Maj. Gen. Vernon Evans, 17 February 1946-31 May 1946.

Chronology of events:  The United States Forces, India-Burma Theater, was established 24 October 1944 per Radio War Department, OPD, 25 October 1944 Created by dividing the USAF, CBI into two separate theaters-the China Theater and the India-Burma Theater. Headquarters located at New Delhi. Moved to Calcutta 15 April 1946 per General Orders 125, Headquarters, USF, IBT, New Delhi, India, 11 April 1946. India-Burma Theater inactivated 31 May 1946 per India radio, COMGENIB, dated 2 May 1946 CM-IN-51414 (3 May 1946). The Detachment, United States Army in India was organized 19 April 1946 per letter from Headquarters, USF, India-Burma.

Theater APO 885 dated 19 April 1946 to carry out the residual tasks of the India-Burma Theater upon the theater's inactivation. It was discontinued 30 September 1946 per radio from New Delhi, India, CM-IN-5832, dated 30 September 1946.