Attacks Japanese In Burma Road Sector -- Intrymen of the U.S. Mars Task Force, using a light machine gun and rifles, battle with the Japanese for control of a sector of the old Burma Road miles (129 km.) north of Lashio, Burma. As part of the Allied campaign to clear the Burma and Ledo Road areas of Japanese forces, the Mars Task Force marched 15 miles (24 km.) across jungle- covered mountains to get behind the enemy and drive him from this section of the road. The Japanese were attempting to block the overland supply route from China 1 to India--which was cleared recently. The Americans, 9 who had hacked a jungle path for their artillery, killed more than 350 enemy troops in the surprise assault. When the Ledo and Burma Roads were joined, Chinese President Chiang Kai-shek named the new vital highway the Stilwell Road in honor of U.S. General Joseph W. Stilwell, who commanded most of the operations which led to completion and opening of the road. February 04, 1945. (Photo by U.S. Offic