First Convoy Rolls Over Stilwell Road -- The first convoy of American military supplies rolled into Wanting in southwest China over the newly completed Stilwell Road on Jan. 28, 1945, marking the breaking of the Japanese land blockade to China. To make this trip possible American and Chinese Army engineers completed 1,044 miles (1,680 kms.) of roadway through three countries, India, Burma and China. They crossed an 8,300 foot (2,520 meter) mountain pass in the Himalayas. They worked in an area where 175 inches (443 centimeters) of rain fell in seven months. They bridged ten major rivers and 155 smaller streams. March 09, 1945. (Photo by U.S. Office of War Information Picture).