The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-28

| Cnlna- burm6- -1n01a tne0ter or
 operations. eHre Is another of his
 timely dispatches-this one from
 Calcutta, India.
 BY HARRY CRIMSON | NEA Staff Correspondent Calcutta, June 2s-When and If American troops land in China, they will have an intensely loyal ally who can fight.
 Chinese soldiers are tough, hardy, well-trained. It. Gen. Dan I. Sultan, commander of the India-Burma theater, led them in the North Burma offensive which eliminated in the capt':re of Bhamo.
 AS result of this victory the amazing Stilwell Highway, new lifeline to China, was opened. Five American-trained and led Chinese divisions played the prin- cipal role in this campaign.
 Political corruption and want greatly retarded the Chinese soldier, but, speaking from experience, Gen. eral Sultan testifieS that properly trained, equipped and supervised, he'll go to town.
 You must call him Chinese and not Chinaman," cautions General Sultan, medium-sized Mississip- plan who in appearance greatly re- sembles the late Gen. Hugh John son. American at home may have gathered that he is a docile sort, but nothing could be farther from the truth. eH's independent, pos sessing many good old GI qualities, not the least of which is that he will not bow or kowtow to anyone. If you don't get out of the way, he'll shove you off the trail, and no one is showing him off"
 LIFE IS CHEAP
 General Sultan relates a story giving you an insight into the psy- chology of the Chinese soldier. A patrol from the Chinese Army in Burma was moving toward a meet ing at Namhkan with another from the Chinese EXpeditionary Force trained in China. Good food and clothes, a hospital when you get sick and plenty of ammunition" remark ed one of the Chinese troopers as he trudged along. And all they ask you to do is kill Japs.''
 Closely related to the air supply mission of the Eastern Air Com mand was its trop carrier mission. Movement of large number of troops by air was also a standard operation. When the Japs were hammering at Imphal, two full divi- sions, complete with equipment were flown in from the Arakan. The at- tack on Myitkyina was sustained with troops flown into its captured air strip, which was constantly un- der fire.
 On one such flight 8 Chinese soldier ventured up to an open door, and ith hand hold on each side, stood there enjoying the scen- ! cry" recalls General Sultan. An other soldier motioned as if to shove him out and, encouraged by others, did precisedly that. They all took it as huge joke, one of them remark ing that the man who was showed would hit the ground first. Life is cheap to them.
 JAP IS NASTY, BUT DUMB
 Face is as important to them as it is to the Japs. They'll follow their leader right down the barrel of a Jap gun. They can take it as well as dish 1t out, and have suffered tre- mendous hardships. Many of those hospitalized got up by day to fight.
 ''The Jap is nasty fighter, but he is as dumb as hell. If I were going into one of those suicidal banzai businesses, I'd be damned if wouldn't take at least one of the enemy with me. But not the Jap. He succeeds in taking himself" says General Sultan.
 '"The Chinese killed lot more Japs in North Burma than the Japs killed Chinese. The Chinese had field days So did the Americans. Yes, properly trained and equipped, the Chinese is the Jap's equal as soldier.
 The main American story in the India Burma Theater commanded by General Sultan is the same that can be written everywhere GI's are assembled outside of the United States. It is When will we get home?" The GI's ask about Ameri- can girls, the food and sigaret situ- ations at home and the Brooklyn | Dodgers. Anything concerning America meets with an eager smile | and flow of questions.
 6:3O' will wind up the three-day 1