LEARNING CRAFTS AT CENTRE ON THE LEDO ROAD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 309, 30 December 1944, Page 4

LEARNING CRAFTS AT CENTRE ON THE LEDO ROAD

ON THE LEDO ROAD. The sign along the Ledo Road says "Rehabilitation Centre." Trucks that roar through mud and dust over the highway that Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Pick's engineers built across Assam's Patkai Hills into Burma never stop there. But to thousands of wounded Chinese soldiers that sign by the jungle clearing spells "new life." There, paralysed arms and legs learn how to function again. There, men witn amputations are taught handicrafts which will make them self-support-ing at war's end. Begun in April, 1944, the rehabilitation centre was a pet project of Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell. The Chinese soldiers who made the return trip into Burmi with him were Uncle Joe's babies. The Magic Wand

For a long time General Stilwell wanted something done for the maimed soldiers who pushed the Japs south through the Hukawng and Mogaung Valleys. Selecting a pleasant site far from the front lines, he placed Lieut. Robert C. Beilke, of Green Bay, Wis., in charge of the project. . Lieutenant Beilke, a product of Yale University's Chinese language course, also has a college major in phychology. Besides, he had spent months in the forward areas as liaison officer. He had slept, eaten, fought with, the same men who would be admitted to the camp. Assisted by medical officer Maj. Lee Tye Shan, he went to work. The old Army supply problem reared its head. But soon loads of bamboo and leaves for thatching began to arrive. Garo labourers moved in and things began to hum. Sleeping bashas, mess halls, latrines, shower rooms, and kitchens had to be built. Right now, only one section of the rehabilitation camp is completed, but others are in the process of construction. All buildings are mosquito-proofed with hessian cloth walls, netting at doors and windows. Nine workshops will shortly be in operation. In those, already finished, the Chinese are busy weaving baskets, making sandals from salvaged parachutes, turning out tables, chairs and many other items which will be offered to G.l.'s looking for souvenirs or home comforts at small cost. Readjustment Measures' Another interesting-aspect of the camp's programme is a reading and writing class for illiterates conducted by a trained Chinese civilian schoolteacher. Soon a course in Braille will be open for the blind. Putting 1000 Chinese character into "touch-system" terms is a matter for the experts. A board of doctors from a near-by hospital decides which of their discharged patients will be admitted to the camp. During his stay there every man is closely watched by Major Lee and Lieutenant Beilke. The moment he becomes proficient at a craft, such as barbering, tailoring, tinsmithery, shoe repairing or carpentering, he is flown back to Free China. All over the world casualties of war are being helped to make a readjustment to civilian life. It is gratifying to know that even in the remote outposts of the Indian jungles, Chinese soldiers who fought so gallantly to retake northern Burma can now look into the future, independent and unafraid.—Auckland Star and N.A.N.A.

Advice has been received that Warrant-Officer Leo Arthur Barr, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Barr, 64, Princes Street, Onehunga, is a prisoner of war at Thia Camp, Siam, and is in good health. He was reported missing on October 6.