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Last updated 19 October 2004 |
1. At the same time that General Stilwell was appointed U. S. Army Representative in China, the War Department, by directive of the President, appointed him to be chief of staff to the Supreme Commander, China Theater (Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek). General Stilwell arrived in Chungking, China, to assume his command on 4 March 1942. At the end of June 1942 he designated his American command as USAFCBI. He was notified of his relief from responsibilities in Asia in a message received from General Marshall, 18 October 1944. He left Chungking on 21 October 1944.
2. At QUADRANT Conference provision was made for setting up SEAC, a combined Allied command, under Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten as Supreme Allied Commander (SACSEA). General Stilwell, CG, CBI, was to be made his deputy. Operations in the Chinese theater were to continue to be under the Generalissimo with General Stilwell as his chief of staff. Through British Chiefs of Staff the CCS were to exercise general supervision over operations in Southeast Asia by SEAC. CCS 308/3, which provided for setting up a supreme Allied command in Asia was approved by CCS at their 114th meeting, 21 August 1943. Admiral Mountbatten actually took over the command of SEAC on 16 November 1943. General Stilwell assumed his duties as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander at the same time and continued in this capacity until 21 October 1944.
3. On 12 November 1944 General Wheeler became Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, SEAC, and on 23 June 1945 was given additional duty as the commander of the India-Burma Theater.
4. In October 1944 General Stilwell was relieved of his responsibilities in Asia, and the American administrative area CBI was separated into the India-Burma and the China theaters. General Sultan was given command of the India-Burma Theater and General Wedemeyer (former Army planner in the War Department prior to becoming Deputy Chief of Staff, SEAC, in October 1943) was appointed commander of U. S. Forces in China, and succeeded General Stilwell as the Generalissimo's chief of staff. General Stilwell was brought back to the United States, assigned to the post of CG, AGF, and later returned to the field in command of the Tenth Army upon the death of General Buckner on Okinawa. American forces, under the command of the CG, USFIBT, were, as directed by CCS, to be under the operational control of SACSEA. Certain units in China, such as Navy Group China and the XX Bomber Command, were not to be under the full control of the CG, USFCT, but to continue their status as shown in directive to CG, CBI. Similar exceptions from the full control of the CG, USFIBT were made. General Wedemeyer arrived in the theater and actually assumed command as CG, USFCT, on 31 October 1944. USFCT was inactivated 1 May 1946 and its duties taken over by U. S. Army Forces China. USFIBT was inactivated on 31 May 1946 with remaining functions taken over by detachment, U. S. Army Forces India.
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Last updated 19 October 2004 |