1945 Crosson Pictorial View of Kunming, China, World War II

Keeping American Soliders in China out of trouble.

This is a rare 1945 pictorial view-style map of Kunming, China, prepared by Charles Crosson for the Office of War Information. It reflects the city near the end of the Second World War (and Second Sino-Japanese War), when American influence was at its peak.

A Closer Look

Oriented towards the northeast, this view covers the walled city of Kunming and its immediate surroundings. Major streets are labelled in both Chinese and English, as are important institutions such as the provincial government headquarters, other government offices, temples, theaters, churches, hotels, train stations, hospitals, the Red Cross, and the Office of War Information office in the city. Most noticeably, and curiously, are red shaded areas, indicating an 'Out-of-bounds area,' which a note elaborates: 'All alleys and unimproved streets are strictly out of bounds to all American military personnel.' This designation was likely meant to keep Americans from getting themselves into trouble of various sorts, but the most likely reason would be to attempt to limit prostitution, which was widespread among U.S. (and Chinese) soldiers and airmen.

Wartime Stronghold

Beginning well before the U.S. entered the war, Kunming had become the strategic 'back door' of the Chinese resistance against Japan. The French-built Kunming-Haiphong Railway became an important conduit for supplies until Japan occupied Tonkin in September 1940 (just after the Fall of France). Following the Japanese blockade of China's eastern ports and the commencement of hostilities between Japan and the Allies, Kunming became the vital terminus for the Burma Road, the Ledo Road, and the legendary 'Hump' airlift over the Himalayas. All three routes were extremely dangerous to establish and maintain, but they were the city's lifeline, delivering fuel, munitions, and medical supplies that kept the Chinese war effort from collapsing. As a result, the city became a bustling, cosmopolitan sanctuary, hosting not only military personnel but also an influx of intellectual elite and refugees from occupied territories, making it a cultural and logistical stronghold of 'Free China.'

The American presence in Kunming was anchored by the iconic Flying Tigers (the American Volunteer Group), beginning operations in April 1941, succeeded by the China Air Task Force and then the U.S. 14th Air Force under General Claire Chennault. Kunming served as the primary base for these air operations, and the sight of P-40 Warhawks with their distinctive shark-teeth nose art became a symbol of defiance against Japanese air raids. The Americans brought with them a wave of Jeeps, jazz, and western technology, creating a unique wartime subculture where local Yunnanese traditions rubbed shoulders with American military pragmatism.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn in 1945 by Charles Crosson, who was most likely stationed with the local Office of War Information outpost. This ephemeral map was likely produced only in a small run for local U.S. soldiers and airmen to use as a reference, and consequently, few examples have survived. We note one in the collections of the organization Remembering Shared Honor, which is dedicated to collecting and preserving oral histories related to Chinese and American cooperation during the Second World War. An example may also be held in the University of Kansas' Special Collections. No examples cataloged in the OCLC and no known market history.

Condition

Good. Wear along original fold lines. Verso repairs to fold separations. Light dampstaining along bottom margin.

References

Remembering Shared Honor, Clifford A. Newell, Jr. Collection, 'GI Map of Kunming'.