SOUTHEAST ASIA COMMAND H.Q., KANDY, CEYLON, 89 AUG. (AP)
Brig. Gen. Frank D. Merrill, who recently surrendered command of his famous
Marauder detachment in Burma, has been named head of the liaison group for
the China - Burma - India theatre at Allied headquarters here.
The nature of Merrill's assignment was disclosed by Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell
in a message from his headquarters in India commending Merrill for his services
in the field and declaring he had been relieved of his command solely because
of ill health.
The statement supplemented an earlier announcement from Stilwell's headquarters
emphasizing that Merrill's transfer to Kandy was in no way connected with an
inquiry into a reported breakdown in morale of the Marauders during the battle
of Myitkyina. The breakdown had been attributed to premature return of convalescent
raiders to active duty.