Us Official Photographs

B-29 Crew Held In Western Szechwan

Five Army Air Force B-29 Superfortress crew members are reported held captive by aboriginal Lolo tribesmen in the rugged mountain of western Szechwan province in China. An AAF C-47 Skymaster flew from Shanghai to Chengtu to investigate the reports, and at Chengtu the crewmen were met by a French priest who said the men were being held by the natives and forced to tend herds of sheep and goats in an isolated region nine days by foot from the village of Hsichang. The priest who maintains a tiny village six day's walk from Hsichang, is attempting to locate the men, with the help of members of a United States Graves Registration detachment. It is thought that the only successful way to secure release of the men will be through barter. This picture was taken by AAF men who were downed in the territory and returned safely. Note the characteristic watch towers of the Lolo country, which protect the lower village. On the left a pack train can be seen winding down toward the village. FEB 5 1945