18th Century Smoothbore by Model Shipways

Regarding WWII CBI Theater, my father was embedded with and trained Chinese troops in south central China 1941-44 and was with them repelling the Japanese crossing of the Salwein River. He had to have interpreters as they moved from one warlords area to the next as the dialects changed. Their approximation of our Maris name was similar to "Mah Li Shur" meaning "Man on a horse".
WOW! Talk about a small world. My father was in China from Feb to Sept 1945 mostly around Chungking and Shunan. Apparently we like to dress up in local garb and smoke pipes, at least on my side. What was your fathers name? I have a couple of books on the war in China and could see what I can find. Ever heard of Admiral Miles? He was the SACO boss there. When I was in High school he was the CO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and he gave me the run of the place. Looking back on it I bet the crew of some of the ships I had lunch on were not impressed. Loved roaming around on subs.
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WOW! Talk about a small world. My father was in China from Feb to Sept 1945 mostly around Chungking and Shunan. Apparently we like to dress up in local garb and smoke pipes, at least on my side. What was your fathers name? I have a couple of books on the war in China and could see what I can find. Ever heard of Admiral Miles? He was the SACO boss there. When I was in High school he was the CO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and he gave me the run of the place. Looking back on it I bet the crew of some of the ships I had lunch on were not impressed. Loved roaming around on subs.
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Yes, with various ranks/brevit promotions from Captain to Lt. Col Thomas Glenn Maris, Jr. was in or around both of those locations as I recall from the limited number of photos in his two albums. He was an instructor at the first American training class at Kun MIng, China and later moved to the headquarters of a Chinese division to conduct training courses for the troops and assistance of Chinese officers, and was present and engaged in crossing the Salween River halting the Japanese invasion of Burma. He was present at the opening ceremonies of the Burma Road. Another location of training was Mitu, Chin as well as several more in that part of China. In needing to enter from India and flying across "the Hump" he was in Egypt along the way and has photos on camels by the Great Pyramid and Sphynx. Mostly he would not talk about the war and his experiences. Old history keeps coming back around and around and has mostly been taken out of the educational system. Just a concern. Rich
 
Yes, with various ranks/brevit promotions from Captain to Lt. Col Thomas Glenn Maris, Jr. was in or around both of those locations as I recall from the limited number of photos in his two albums. He was an instructor at the first American training class at Kun MIng, China and later moved to the headquarters of a Chinese division to conduct training courses for the troops and assistance of Chinese officers, and was present and engaged in crossing the Salween River halting the Japanese invasion of Burma. He was present at the opening ceremonies of the Burma Road. Another location of training was Mitu, Chin as well as several more in that part of China. In needing to enter from India and flying across "the Hump" he was in Egypt along the way and has photos on camels by the Great Pyramid and Sphynx. Mostly he would not talk about the war and his experiences. Old history keeps coming back around and around and has mostly been taken out of the educational system. Just a concern. Rich
I checked both my books and didn't find your dad. Was he Army? SACO was a Navy unit forecasting the weather for the Pacific theater with a detachment of Marines. My father was a Marine Major at that time. He went in country over the hump also. You can fine "The Rice Paddy Navy" on Amazon used for a couple of bucks. When I checked for Miles book I was surprised to see it for sale used $175.00. Both are interesting reading.
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Hi Charlie.
I've been following your and Rich's conversation on WW2 in China and my grandfather Lt. W.O. Thomason who was in the corps of engineers, served under Gen Stilwell during the construction of the Ledo (Burma Road). He was one of engineers in the design as you go effort.IMG_0811.jpg
 
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