Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945

by Rana Mitter

Roosevelt declared that if Chiang cooperated with Stilwell and Mountbatten, then “the land line to China will be opened in early 1945 and the continued resistance of China and maintenance of your control will be assured.” But if Chiang did not provide ground support for the Burma offensive, then land communications with Free China would be cut off. The warning became starker: “For this you must yourself be prepared to accept the consequences and assume the personal responsibility.” Roosevelt’s tone was firm: “I have urged time and time again in recent months that you take drastic action to resist the disaster which had been moving closer to China and to you.” One demand, above all, was made clear: to place “General Stilwell in unrestricted command of all your forces.”