Dinjan Photos and Historical Resources

Discover Dinjan's WWII History: Photos, Personal Stories, and Curated Resources

Explore rare WWII photographs and essential resources about Dinjan, a pivotal airfield and military site during WWII. 

This curated collection of books, articles, oral histories, and visual documents offers a unique glimpse into Dinjan's wartime role, including personal family histories that connect past to present.

1) Exploring Dinjan's WWII History

Beyond the modern-day landscapes lies Dinjan’s storied past as a critical Allied airfield during World War II. This collection brings together rare wartime photographs, archival documents, published research, and personal family histories to illuminate Dinjan’s military significance and the human stories connected to it. From the strategic role it played in the China-Burma-India theater to memories passed down through generations, these resources offer a window into a defining era.

1.a) Life Around the Airfield

This photo carousel offers a glimpse into civilian life around the restricted Dinjan airfield. From serene tea estates to children playing cricket, these images highlight the local landscape and daily rhythms of a community. While the base itself remains off-limits, these scenes reflect the enduring life just beyond its boundaries.

1.b) Rare Historical Portraits: Personal Stories from Around Dinjan

These rare photographs offer a unique glimpse into the lives of individuals from the Dinjan region and nearby villages during the late 1930s to 1940s. These portraits hold historical value, showcasing the personal stories of those living in a time before the area became a key military site. Such images are exceptional for their era and location, providing valuable context to the social landscape of the region.

Andy's Photos: A WWII Journey in Images

This slideshow presentation by Jan Bridget showcases Andy’s Photos—a collection belonging to her partner's grandfather, who served in Dinjan during WWII. While the original presentation included her commentary, this video version is silent. It features a rich selection of photographs, including several taken in and around Dinjan, offering a rare, personal glimpse into the area during the war.

2) Archival Resources and Personal Accounts

This section offers a curated list of resources, including oral histories, books, articles, and essays, drawn from individuals who were directly involved with or connected to Dinjan during WWII. These accounts provide unique perspectives on the airfield’s role and its lasting impact.

2.a) Oral Histories

Link to various personal accounts, interviews, and stories from individuals who experienced Dinjan during WWII and beyond.

1. Henry Byroade Oral History Interview
   Source: Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

2. Roberts, David Neal (Oral history)
   Source: Imperial War Museums

3. Severson, Bob (Oral history)
   Source: Imperial War Museums

4. Golightly, E. & Gaum, C. H. (1941) Carl Henry Gaum Collection. [Personal Narrative]
   Source: Retrieved from the Library of Congress

2.b) Video Resources

Explore a curated selection of video content, including documentaries and presentations, related to Dinjan.

1. 14th Air Force in China During World War II: "China Crisis"
   Source: PeriscopeFilm, hosted on the Internet Archive
   [Watch from 5:50 for the section on Assam]

2. 1944 Weekly Digest "No. 26 Air Strip Construction"
   Source: PeriscopeFilm, hosted on the Internet Archive
   [Watch from 8:01 for the segment focused on Assam]

3. Andy's Photos, by Jan Bridget

2.c) Books and Publications

Browse through books, memoirs, and other publications that detail Dinjan's role in WWII and its ongoing significance.

1. U.S. Army in World War II
   Source: The Public’s Library and Digital Archive

2. The Army Air Forces in World War II [PDF]
   Source: Office of Air Force History Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of Defense

3. Merrill’s Marauders (February-May 1944)
   Source: United States. War Department. General Staff · 1945 [Google Books]

4. Among the Headhunters: An extraordinary World War II story of survival in the Burmese jungle, by Robert Lyman
   Source: The Internet Archive

2.d) Articles and Essays

Access articles, research papers, and essays that explore Dinjan's historical importance in depth.

1. Over the Hump to China, by John T. Correll
   Source: Air Force Magazine

2. Elmer Halfmann’s WWII Experiences, as related to Mitchell H. Halfmann [PDF]
   Source: Angelo State University

3. Uncle Bill’s WWII, by Joy Neal Kidney
   Source: joynealkidney.com

4. Letter from Jacob S. Fassett (Hostel Manager, Dinjan; CNAC 1942 – 1945)
   Source: cnac.org

5. CHINA – BURMA – INDIA: Remembering the Forgotten Theater of World War II
   Source: cbi-theater.com

6. Dinjan in 2010 [PDF]
   Source: cnac.org

7. Prelude to Assam
   Source: From Lost to Found Travels

8. Private Papers of Mrs V Downing
   Source: Imperial War Museums

9. Echoes from Assam: How Ledo and Dinjan Quietly Shaped World War II, by Munindra
   Source: Patchwork Assam

10. A Glimpse of Dinjan, Assam, by Munindra
    Source: Pxley