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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Battle for Bougainville (11/1943) - May, 1 2006
World War II Magazine | September 1997 | Stanley A. Frankel

Posted on 04/30/2006 10:16:00 PM PDT by SAMWolf



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

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Battle for Bougainville:
Hell on Hill 700

Losing Hill 700 to the Japanese meant defeat for the American forces on Bougainville. To the men of the 37th Infantry Division, that was unthinkable.

The American strategic plan was clear: Move up the Solomon Island chains to open a direct route to the Philippines, take the Philippines and then move out from there on to Tokyo.



In 1942, the U.S. Marines drove the Japanese out of the first Solomon island, Guadalcanal; in 1943, painfully, bloodily, the 37th Infantry Division pushed through the equally impenetrable jungles of New Georgia, sweeping what was left of the 15,000 defending Japanese into the sea. The next and final Solomon island was Bougainville, and there the tactics were dramatically altered though the strategic concept remained the same.

In early November 1943, the 3rd Marine Division and the 37th Infantry Division invaded Bougainville with an offensive-defensive mission. There was no thought of pushing across this 250-square-mile island and eliminating the 25,000 Japanese in a brutal, costly, slow action. Instead, the plan was to take only a small piece of Bougainville, perhaps six square miles, including the deepest, best port at Empress Augusta Bay. Within those six square miles, a major airfield would be built, from which American planes could range over the South Pacific as far forward as the Philippines, assuring security from the air for the convoys and task forces that would invade the Philippines in October 1944.

By November 13, the Marine and Army units had reached their 2-mile-deep objective against relatively moderate enemy ground resistance and airstrikes. During the next four months, the position was consolidated, the airfield was built, and the springboard to the Philippines was set. Fighting had been limited; it was obvious that the Japanese had assumed--and hoped--that the American troops would go after them in the jungle terrain, where the Japanese could inflict heavy casualties on the Americans as they hacked their way, yard by yard, through those jungles. By March 1944, the Japanese realized that the Americans were going to sit this one out, manning defensive lines. If they wanted to kill their enemy and, most important, take out the vital airfield, the Japanese would have to attack head-on.

The American perimeter was dotted with a number of hills and valleys. The famed Hill 700 was right in the center of the perimeter, towering above the entire area with a clear view of the airfield. Hill 700 was the linchpin of the American defenses, the key to holding the perimeter positions to its right and left and eventually the airfield. The 3rd Marine and 37th Infantry divisions were spread thinly along this two-mile perimeter, with forces in reserve that could be sent forward wherever the Japanese might break through. Patrols were sent out to find and fix Japanese troop concentrations. A few prisoners were taken, and several quickly confessed that the Japanese command had finally understood the U.S. defensive concept and tactical plan with Hill 700 as its heart.



On March 8, the inevitable massive Japanese attack began, and it did not wane until March 13, when Hill 700, which had been partially overrun by the Japanese, was retaken by 37th Division forces, who annihilated thousands of Japanese in the recapture phase.

At 6 a.m. on the 8th, the first artillery shell from the attacking Japanese hit in the 145th Infantry Regiment's sector. The enemy began to carry the fight to the Americans.

The American beachhead was on a coastal plain lying at the foot of the towering Crown Prince Range, volcanic mountains held by the Japanese. The enemy also occupied the rest of Bougainville--giving them a white elephant compared to the Americans' potent mouse. The two American divisions could not spread their perimeter beyond the nearest foothills overlooking the beachhead. The best they could do was to hang on to the lesser heights that dominated the airfield and to deny those hills to enemy artillery.

Hostile fire was coming from Japanese positions on Blue Ridge, Hills 1001, 1111, 500 and 501 and the Saua River valley. Fire from only a few pieces could hit the airfield from those positions, but those meager rounds hinted at the Japanese destructive potential if they could place their cannon on the hills that the 37th Division defended, mainly Hill 700.

At 7 a.m., the 2nd Battalion, 145th Infantry, received a few stray small-arms rounds, just enough to alert all positions and encourage the men to clean their M-1 rifles. Short-range patrols discovered that the enemy was assembling in front of the 2nd Battalion, and it was thought that the major attack would be against Hill 700.



Shells continued to fall--not only on the airstrip but also on the 145th, the 6th Field Artillery Battalion, the 54th Coast Artillery Battalion, and the 77th and 36th Seabees. Casualties were light, but the Americans were tense. The inaccuracy of the Japanese fire made even the least strategic American installation subject to those wild haymakers. Helmeted repairmen kept the airstrip in operation, filling up holes and smoothing out shell craters. Planes landed and took off with casual disdain. A few planes were destroyed, however, and the possibility of declaring the bomber strip off-limits was seriously considered.

At noon the last patrol was reported in by the 145th, and the combined guns of the 135th Field Artillery, the 6th Field Artillery, the 140th Field Artillery, the 136th Field Artillery, and two battalions of the Americal Division artillery were readied for area fire on the Japanese as they moved from assembly areas behind Hills 1111 and 1000 toward the American lines. The Japanese 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, and the 13th Infantry (less one battalion) crowded toward Hill 700 to join the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, which had filtered in earlier. For two hours, thousands of rounds of American medium and heavy artillery blanketed the target zone. Later, a prisoner admitted that the Japanese 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, was practically annihilated during this bombardment; he said the rest of the troops escaped a similar fate by moving close enough to American lines to get within that umbrella of safety. Anticipating this ruse, U.S. artillery observers had called for fire closer and closer to the 37th's front lines.

Still, the enemy was in an excellent position. Once the Japanese closed in on the Americans, it was difficult for the U.S. artillery to reach an enemy hiding literally under the front lines. Mortars pounded away in the dark with unobserved results. The 136th Field Artillery alone expended 1,239 rounds that day. Those manning the observation posts yelled back that the enemy was scrambling up the hill after the artillery had subsided. Several booby traps and warning devices were exploded near the positions of Companies E and G, 145th Infantry, and the men in the perimeter holes replied with small arms and mortars. The enemy retaliated with rifles and knee mortars. Fog and rain made the darkness impenetrable.

During that night attack, a device cooked up by Staff Sgt. Otis Hawkins proved invaluable. As soon as the first Japanese started jimmying the barbed wire on the perimeter, Hawkins ordered mortar flares fired and wires pulled, setting off gallon buckets of oil ignited by phosphorus grenades. With help from this artificial lighting, Hawkins directed 600 rounds of 60mm mortar fire, and the riflemen picked off many Japanese who had counted on darkness and confusion to help them achieve their goal.



At the boundary between Companies E and G, an alert sentry killed two Japanese who had squirmed through the wire, and the 2nd Battalion, 145th, reported possible penetration at Hill 700. Under cover of heavy rain and darkness, using Bangalore torpedoes and dynamite to blast holes in the wire, and pushing one full battalion directly at the forward U.S. emplacements, the Japanese had shoved their foot in the door.

Holding fast, the hopelessly overwhelmed soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 145th Infantry, lived or died where they stood. The Japanese assaulted an isolated mortar observation post from Company E, situated on a knoll on the outer perimeter and affectionately dubbed "Company E Nose." The enemy managed to cut three of the four double aprons of protecting wire before a sergeant, investigating the noise, crawled out of his pillbox and discovered them. Just as the Japanese placed a Bangalore torpedo under the fourth double apron, the sergeant opened up with his Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and caught eight Japanese in the wire. Holding off additional Japanese with his BAR, he called in a 60mm mortar concentration, adjusted it in and around the wire, ducked back to his pillbox and then had a steady concentration dropped around--and often behind--his pillbox during the night. The sergeant and his men survived.

Not so fortunate were Sergeant William I. Carroll, Jr., Pfc John W. Cobb, Pfc Armando W. Rodriguez and Pfc Howard E. Ashley from Company G. Fighting desperately from their large emplacement, they were engulfed by Japanese who attacked them from all sides. Disregarding a possible escape route because they recognized the strategic importance of their assignment, they decided to stick it out, hoping for reinforcements.

The four soldiers fired rifles and threw hand grenades, and Rodriguez knifed an enemy soldier who got in close. His knife was later found in another dead Japanese soldier 100 yards away. One fanatical Japanese shoved a Bangalore torpedo next to the pillbox, and the explosion dazed the occupants. The Japanese then rushed the emplacement. Semiconscious, the four men fired at and wrestled with the enemy. The next day, when the bodies of the gallant Americans were recovered, 12 dead Japanese were found inside the pillbox. Probably many more of the hundreds of lifeless Japanese found around that position were killed by those four soldiers.



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: army; bougainville; freeperfoxhole; japan; marines; militaryhistory; pacific; veterans; wwii
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To: snippy_about_it

Another flag tomorrow.


261 posted on 05/18/2006 8:42:28 AM PDT by Professional Engineer (Hang up and drive? Do you mean, FReepin and drivin don't mix?)
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To: snippy_about_it

: )


262 posted on 05/18/2006 8:45:08 AM PDT by The Mayor ( We are moving in on Albany! http://www.newyorkcoalition.org)
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To: Professional Engineer

Oh dear, tummy virus it would seem.


263 posted on 05/18/2006 9:00:53 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: snippy_about_it; bentfeather; Peanut Gallery

We think Bittygirl has several molars coming in, which may be causing here problems.

I don't think Msdrby is teething, however.


264 posted on 05/18/2006 9:03:48 AM PDT by Professional Engineer (Hang up and drive? Do you mean, FReepin and drivin don't mix?)
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To: Professional Engineer

Ow. Teething. No fun. Hope msdrby is well soon.


265 posted on 05/18/2006 2:32:13 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: vox_PL
You make me recall that those who throw away their honor can never get it back. Such people try every day to convince themselves that they are not dishonored. Some cannot stomach the lie. Such say that "honor" is but a word.

There is such tragedy in a human life and so much is self inflicted. Better a day with honor than a thousand years without.

Reminds me of the Polish lads at Monte Cassino. Reminds me of people I miss to this day.
266 posted on 05/19/2006 3:10:07 AM PDT by Iris7 (Dare to be pigheaded! Stubborn! "Tolerance" is not a virtue!)
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To: alfa6
I believe the F4U was the first two thousand horsepower single engine American fighter to see combat. F4Us were flown from Guadalcanal in February 1943 whereas the justly famous Jug first went looking for trouble a month later.

The Corsair's and Thunderbolt's R-2800 Double Wasp is a favorite of mine. R-2800s flew in DC-6s as I recall. I flew in one in late 1966. Almost thirty years in first line service. A proper piece of work, that.
267 posted on 05/19/2006 3:48:57 AM PDT by Iris7 (Dare to be pigheaded! Stubborn! "Tolerance" is not a virtue!)
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To: Iris7

I did a list once of all the planes that were powered by the R-2800 during WW-II. The F6F Helcat was also powered by the R-2800 and may have beat the Corsair into combat, just barely.

A few other R-2800 craft were the A-26 Invader, The P-61 Black Widow, the C-46 Commando and two that just missed serving in WW-II the F7F Tigercat and F8F Bearcat.

The R-2800 IMHO is right up there with the Merlin as the most important aircraft engine for the Allies in WW-II

Regards

alfa6 ;>}


268 posted on 05/19/2006 4:00:27 AM PDT by alfa6
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; Professional Engineer; bentfeather; The Mayor; All
Friday for y'all but Monday for me bump for the Freeper Foxhole. And it's nights no less :-(

Another Terrence Cunro painting titled "The Ringed Wellington April 1940"

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

269 posted on 05/19/2006 4:06:52 AM PDT by alfa6
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; bentfeather; Professional Engineer; Samwise; Peanut Gallery; Wneighbor; ..

May 19, 2006

Signs Are Not Enough

READ: John 6:25-35

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” . . . They said to Him, “What sign will You perform?” —John 6:29-30

Film director Woody Allen has been quoted as saying, “If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank.”

The reasons people give for not believing God often boil down to something they want God to do to prove Himself. Sadly, in making “to do” lists for God, we miss seeing the countless things He has already done.

Even people who lived near Jesus and who witnessed His miracles asked for more proof. Comparing Jesus to Moses, they asked, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? . . . Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’” (John 6:30-31).

The startling thing about their request is that just one day earlier Jesus had indeed given them bread. He had fed 5,000 of them with the bread from one boy’s lunch!

Had we been in Jesus’ place, we may have replied, “What about the bread I fed you yesterday?” But Jesus used the moment to teach them, “I am the bread of life” (v.35).

Instead of waiting in doubt and disappointment for God to do the one thing we demand of Him, let’s take the time to look at everything God has already done. Julie Ackerman Link

If you’re waiting for a sign from heaven,
I’m afraid you may be disappointed;
God has given us the perfect witness—
Jesus Christ, the One He has anointed.  —Hess

What we know of God encourages us to trust Him in all we don’t know.

Bible in One Year:  1 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-44


270 posted on 05/19/2006 5:06:43 AM PDT by The Mayor ( We are moving in on Albany! http://www.newyorkcoalition.org)
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Comment #271 Removed by Moderator

To: snippy_about_it

I am feeling better, but I fear that PE has whateveritwas I had on Wednesday. It is a 24 hour bug of some sort from what I can tell. Not fun.


272 posted on 05/19/2006 5:55:19 AM PDT by Peanut Gallery
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To: alfa6; Professional Engineer; Peanut Gallery; SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Samwise; The Mayor

Good morning everyone.


273 posted on 05/19/2006 7:18:03 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: snippy_about_it; bentfeather; Samwise; Peanut Gallery; Wneighbor; Valin; alfa6; Iris7; SAMWolf; ...
Fill in Flag-O-Gram as the P.E. is under the weather with the creeping crud.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

274 posted on 05/19/2006 8:59:08 AM PDT by alfa6
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To: bentfeather; snippy_about_it
Thanks for the ping, feather. I hope everyone has a nice weekend. Record heat predicted here - 90's - very warm for May. It's looking like our years-long drought still isn't over.
275 posted on 05/19/2006 9:16:12 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: colorado tanker

WOW that is a heat wave. We have had nothing but gloom and rain all week. The sun has come out once or twice this week. It's very pretty here when it does shine.

Everything is flush green, very gorgeous.

May in NY is a wonderful time. ;) Then we get humidity, ugh.


276 posted on 05/19/2006 9:21:54 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather

My wife and oldest were in Chicago a few days ago and got nothing but rain. Too bad you folks can't share a little of that with us!


277 posted on 05/19/2006 9:24:56 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: colorado tanker

I guess we must have gotten the Chicago weather. ;(


278 posted on 05/19/2006 9:33:43 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: Professional Engineer; Peanut Gallery

Hi guys!

Sorry you have the crud. It's a family affair, boy do I remember those days.

Hang in a get well.


279 posted on 05/19/2006 9:35:12 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather; The Mayor; alfa6; snippy_about_it; Peanut Gallery

It is Alive! (I think)

I laid down for a wee nap at 10am after the involunatry oral evacuation of my tummy. I just woke up.

Some much for calling into the office to see if stuff was getting done in my absence.


280 posted on 05/19/2006 4:57:38 PM PDT by Professional Engineer (Hang up and drive? Do you mean, FReepin and drivin don't mix?)
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