Us Official Photographs

B-29 Superfortress crew captive in Szechwan

Five Army Air Forces 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 mission six days' walk from Hsichang, is attempting to locate the men, with the help of members of a United States Army Graves Registration detachment. It is thought that the only successful way to secure release of the men will be through barter. This picture taken by the AAF men who were downed in the territory and returned safely, is an excellent study of Lolo Physiognomy. Note the "Chui" or sacred knob. Touch a Lolo on the Chui and you are in trouble for it is not only an insult but sacrilege. Old man in center wears typical earring - pipe smoked by young man in the background has pottery mouthpiece and bowl. Face at right is almost Iroquoian or Algonkian. FEB 5 1945