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Once the MARS Task Force entered enemy territory, its only link for outside assistance was by radio.

Multimedia 5332nd Brigade (Provisional)

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July 12th, 2022
Last Updated
July 22nd, 2022
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5332nd Brigade (Provisional)
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5332nd Brigade (Provisional) AKA Mars Task Force At Nawhkam, Burma, January 1st, 1945.
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5332nd Brigade (Provisional)
Brigadier General John P. Willey
Brigadier General John P. Willey
The Mars Task Force trained at Camp Robert W. Landis before setting out on combat operations in late 1944.
The Mars Task Force trained at Camp Robert W. Landis before setting out on combat operations in late 1944.
The 124th Cavalry was a Texas National Guard unit in Federal Service. Although replacements thinned the ranks, a large percentage of the men were Texans.
The 124th Cavalry was a Texas National Guard unit in Federal Service. Although replacements thinned the ranks, a large percentage of the men were Texans.
Each regiment in the 5332nd Brigade had attached mobile medical units. The 44th Portable Surgical Hospital seen above supported the 475th Infantry Regiment.
Each regiment in the 5332nd Brigade had attached mobile medical units. The 44th Portable Surgical Hospital seen above supported the 475th Infantry Regiment.
The MARS Task Force had sections of “war dogs” assigned to both the 475th Infantry Regiment and the 124th Cavalry Regiment.
The MARS Task Force had sections of “war dogs” assigned to both the 475th Infantry Regiment and the 124th Cavalry Regiment.
Japanese-American Nisei assisted the MARS Task Force by translating captured documents or interrogating prisoners. Although assigned to the command group, they served in each of the two regiments.
Japanese-American Nisei assisted the MARS Task Force by translating captured documents or interrogating prisoners. Although assigned to the command group, they served in each of the two regiments.
The Kachin tribesmen of OSS Detachment 101 (Jingpaw Rangers) provided valuable service to the MARS Task Force. They scouted ahead of the main body, identifying drop zones and warning of enemy forces.
The Kachin tribesmen of OSS Detachment 101 (Jingpaw Rangers) provided valuable service to the MARS Task Force. They scouted ahead of the main body, identifying drop zones and warning of enemy forces.
When elements of the MARS Task Force left Camp Landis, the initial marches were “shake downs.” During these stretches, the soldiers shed excess equipment and learned to carry only the bare minimum.
When elements of the MARS Task Force left Camp Landis, the initial marches were “shake downs.” During these stretches, the soldiers shed excess equipment and learned to carry only the bare minimum.
1st Section, C Battery, 612th Field Artillery fires at Japanese positions near the Burma Road, 19 January 1945. Standing at left is SGT George Hasse, while (L to R) PFCs John Elliot and Stan Eddy kneel at the gun trail.
1st Section, C Battery, 612th Field Artillery fires at Japanese positions near the Burma Road, 19 January 1945. Standing at left is SGT George Hasse, while (L to R) PFCs John Elliot and Stan Eddy kneel at the gun trail.
Muleskinners leading their mules along the river.
Muleskinners leading their mules along the river.
After blowing a large crater in the Burma Road on 19 January 1945, a MARS Task Force patrol returns in daylight to inspect the night’s “catch” of two tankettes and a truck.
After blowing a large crater in the Burma Road on 19 January 1945, a MARS Task Force patrol returns in daylight to inspect the night’s “catch” of two tankettes and a truck.
Marsmen snipe at Japanese positions near the Burma Road. The Mars Task Force was issued “light-gathering” night scopes called “sniperscopes” and “snooperscopes” to improve night marksmanship.
Marsmen snipe at Japanese positions near the Burma Road. The Mars Task Force was issued “light-gathering” night scopes called “sniperscopes” and “snooperscopes” to improve night marksmanship.
Muleskinners and Kachin Rangers leading mules threw Burma.
Muleskinners and Kachin Rangers leading mules threw Burma.
If a mule lost its footing and went over the side of the trail, the unfortunate muleskinner was duty-bound to retrieve the animal if it were still alive, or to salvage the load if not.
If a mule lost its footing and went over the side of the trail, the unfortunate muleskinner was duty-bound to retrieve the animal if it were still alive, or to salvage the load if not.
Private First Class James L. Miller, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 475th Infantry, rests with his mule prior to climbing a steep grade on February 10th, 1945.
Private First Class James L. Miller, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 475th Infantry, rests with his mule prior to climbing a steep grade on February 10th, 1945.
Marsmen on the Long Kai Ridge. The Japanese were driven from the crest of the ridge by the 2nd Battalion 475th Infantry January 19th,1945.
Marsmen on the Long Kai Ridge. The Japanese were driven from the crest of the ridge by the 2nd Battalion 475th Infantry January 19th,1945.
Mars Task Force mortar crew in action.
Mars Task Force mortar crew in action.
Marsmen cross the swollen Shweli River on March 2nd, 1945. Soon after, heavy rains threatened to sweep the “bridge” away. Mules were unpacked and led across one at a time while the men carried the supplies.
Marsmen cross the swollen Shweli River on March 2nd, 1945. Soon after, heavy rains threatened to sweep the “bridge” away. Mules were unpacked and led across one at a time while the men carried the supplies.
Members of the War Dog Detachment crossing a bamboo bridge and move into an assembly area on January 18th, 1945 before launching another attack on the Japanese.
Members of the War Dog Detachment crossing a bamboo bridge and move into an assembly area on January 18th, 1945 before launching another attack on the Japanese.
Mortar Squad of the 124th Cavalry Regiment cleans and oils an 81 mm. M1 mortar during a dull in operations January 22nd,1945.
Mortar Squad of the 124th Cavalry Regiment cleans and oils an 81 mm. M1 mortar during a dull in operations January 22nd,1945.
After the USAAF dropped supplies to the MARS Task Force, the soldiers then had to repack the material onto the mules. Special harnesses helped distribute the loads on the mule’s back to prevent injury and fatigue.
After the USAAF dropped supplies to the MARS Task Force, the soldiers then had to repack the material onto the mules. Special harnesses helped distribute the loads on the mule’s back to prevent injury and fatigue.
After attacking the Burma Road, the MARSmen were ordered south but the rapid Chinese advance ended further combat for the force.
After attacking the Burma Road, the MARSmen were ordered south but the rapid Chinese advance ended further combat for the force.
A 107mm mortar crew fires on Japanese positions. Like the 75 mm pack howitzers, the 4.2 inch mortars were mule-packed.
A 107mm mortar crew fires on Japanese positions. Like the 75 mm pack howitzers, the 4.2 inch mortars were mule-packed.
Soldiers of the 475th Infantry attempt to capture Loi-Kang hill on January 17th, 1945. Stubborn Japanese resistance prevented their success until much later.
Soldiers of the 475th Infantry attempt to capture Loi-Kang hill on January 17th, 1945. Stubborn Japanese resistance prevented their success until much later.
Marsmen had to reduce obstacles on potential landing strips while on the march so that wounded or sick soldiers could be evacuated. Here, local roofing material followed by earth, was used to cover a trench.
Marsmen had to reduce obstacles on potential landing strips while on the march so that wounded or sick soldiers could be evacuated. Here, local roofing material followed by earth, was used to cover a trench.
Casualty evacuation by air was not foolproof as shown by this wreckage of an L-5 near Namhkam, Burma on January 20th, 1945. Uneven and improvised landing fields claimed many aircraft.
Casualty evacuation by air was not foolproof as shown by this wreckage of an L-5 near Namhkam, Burma on January 20th, 1945. Uneven and improvised landing fields claimed many aircraft.
Although the majority of wounded were evacuated safely once airborne, not all were. Four men had to be rescued from this overloaded Stinson L-1.
Although the majority of wounded were evacuated safely once airborne, not all were. Four men had to be rescued from this overloaded Stinson L-1.
An entrenched 81mm mortar crew from the 5332nd Brigade (Provisional) is shelling the Burma Road.
An entrenched 81mm mortar crew from the 5332nd Brigade (Provisional) is shelling the Burma Road.
An M8 75 mm pack howitzer with its 613th Field Artillery Battalion crew.
An M8 75 mm pack howitzer with its 613th Field Artillery Battalion crew.
An observer from the 612th FAB calls in artillery on Japanese positions along the Burma Road, January 19th, 1945.
An observer from the 612th FAB calls in artillery on Japanese positions along the Burma Road, January 19th, 1945.
Directed by Mars Task Force observers, the USAAF bombs Japanese positions near the Burma Road. The road is seen in the middle foreground.
Directed by Mars Task Force observers, the USAAF bombs Japanese positions near the Burma Road. The road is seen in the middle foreground.
To prevent the Japanese from recovering their stranded vehicles on the Burma road during the night, patrols used explosive charges to destroy the enemy equipment.
To prevent the Japanese from recovering their stranded vehicles on the Burma road during the night, patrols used explosive charges to destroy the enemy equipment.
Civil Affairs officer British Captain Terence Carroll, assigned to NCAC, pays local villagers for war damage caused by the MARS Task Force.
Civil Affairs officer British Captain Terence Carroll, assigned to NCAC, pays local villagers for war damage caused by the MARS Task Force.
The USAAF started flying the men of the 5332nd Brigade to China in March 1945 to serve as trainers in the Chinese Combat Command. Here is an C47 taking off with men from the Brigade.
The USAAF started flying the men of the 5332nd Brigade to China in March 1945 to serve as trainers in the Chinese Combat Command. Here is an C47 taking off with men from the Brigade.