Marine Trooper Ryukyu 1945

The 1st Platoon was deployed on the right of the company area, the 2nd on left, with the 3rd in reserve, in the general vicinity of the company CP. The heavy guns had been brought up, and because of the restricted area to be covered, it was suggested by the machine gun platoon leader that only they be used, with the lights left with the 3rd Platoon at the CP in the event that they might be needed later. It was further suggested that the heavies be employed so that the right and left flanks of the company were defended and the 3rd section set up in the interval between the two platoons covering sectors both right and left forward of the company perimeter front. Each of the sections was assigned a sector that made it possible for them to adequately cover the roadway, the reverse slope of the hill to the front. The dead spaces were filled by the automatic rifles of the two-line platoons.

By 1700, the guns were well dug in position on defilade, camouflaged, and alternate positions planned and dug. Word was passed to all hands to keep to their foxholes after night had fallen. The day’s password was relayed to everyone, and as usual, it was one employing the use of as many letters U as possible. The thin letter is difficult for the Japs to pronounce. At 1900 it was dark, all men were in their foxholes, and the machine gun platoon leader was stationed in his foxhole, near the right flank of the company area a few yards from the first section.

This position was selected, because of the likelihood of an attack coming from that direction. Normally, his position was at the company CP. Until approximately 2300, all was quiet but from then on there was considerable excitement. A whispered report was given to the platoon leader by his runner, that the section leader of the first section had heard a sound similar to that of men walking, to the right front area. Keeping as close to the ground as the seemingly high silhouette of the body will permit, the platoon leader proceeded on his stomach, to the vicinity of the left gun of the first section. When he was within five feet of the position of the gun, the loud burst of a hand grenade, exploding to his front caused him to remain as motionless and as close to the ground as he could get. Shortly after this, a short burst of machine-gun fire was directed in the direction of the grenade burst. Rising quickly to his feet, the platoon leader rushed to the nearest gun whispering to the crew in a stage whisper to hold their fire. This, of course, after having identified himself in a rapid manner.

BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) Man in Action, Okinawa, 1945After a brief inquiry as to the situation, the platoon leader was informed that persons were heard moving on the road toward the machine-gun position. No further movement was heard. Both gunners of the section were cautioned to hold their fire until they were certain of their targets or unless the riflemen opened up on a clearly recognizable enemy.

The platoon leader then went to a slightly defiladed area between the guns and lay down. About an hour and a half later, he was awakened by considerable noise and confusion. Shortly afterward, several hand grenades exploded in rapid succession, and there was heard the firing of Automatic rifles, M-1s, and carbines. No machine-gun fire was noticed at this time. Returning to the vicinity of the left gun he inquired as to what was happening. The gunner, Cpl Bloomstrand, told him that there was something going on in the foxholes of the other weapon, some ten or fifteen yards away. After telling the men to hold fire, the platoon leader proceeded over to this other gun’s position.

When nearly to the foxholes he heard low voices, a few groans, and some activity. Approaching with much caution, he whispered the password and shortly received an answer. He then got close enough to faintly see what was going on, in the very dark night. He talked to the gunner, who informed him that several Japs had sneaked up to the emplacement and attempted to overrun their position. Several of them had been killed, he thought, and were lying just outside the foxholes. They had been killed with carbines and pistols, he added. Upon asking where Sgt William F. Cunningham was, the platoon leader was told that the Japs had killed him. This had occurred when the sergeant was attempting to reach the gun’s position and direct possible fire at the enemy. The machine gun platoon of Baker Co lost one of its finest noncom officers, and in doing so, suffered its first casualty of this campaign. That was the only casualty of the night, with six of the enemy being killed.

Marine firing M-1 CarbineShortly after the morning meal, on Apr 3, word was received that the company was to continue its move toward the north, on the west side of IshiKawa Isthmus. The Battalion was to move a distance of about a thousand yards and set up another defensive position. The assigned mission was to clean out the enemy in the rugged area if he could be contacted. From the information received, it was apparent that the resistance consisted of small isolated bands of leftovers. The major portion of the Jap forces had moved to the south and to the north. However, before the move could be carried out contradictory orders were received. It seems that intelligence had received information that the Japs were going to attempt to land paratroopers on the Yontan Airfield, on the night of Apr 3. No one in the 1/29-MR worried much about it since they were of the opinion that sufficient troops had been landed in the days since the initial landing to handle them. So the company prepared to move out as scheduled.

Just before 0900, Capt Lyle E. Specht, Baker Co’s CO, sent down word to hold up preparations to move and told all hands to take it easy. He added that as far as he knew the company would stay again in this position for the night. The remainder of the day was spent improving the positions, cleaning the guns, and resting. Several recon groups were sent out short distances to search for and try to contact the enemy but reports came back that none were seen.

At about 1730, the machine-gun platoon leader checked all gun positions reminded the crews of several points concerning the final protective line, and went to his foxhole where he prepared for the night waiting. At 2000, all hands were aroused from their foxholes and told to be ready to move out in half an hour. By 2020, the machine-gun platoon was mustered on the road with light machine guns awaiting orders from the platoon leader. They received orders to march at rapid speed, with as few stops as possible to the Yontan Airfield, set up a defensive area, and stand by to defend it against enemy parachute units. Promptly, at 2030, Baker Co, directly behind a guide furnished by rear echelon headquarters, moved out with the 1st rifle platoon leading, followed by HQs Co, the 2nd rifle platoon, machine gun platoon, mortar section, and the 3rd rifle platoon bringing up the rear. Battalion headquarters followed Baker Co, with Able and Charlie Cos, respectively in the column. To further amplify the rapidity of that march, the Battalion arrived intact, at the Airfield at approximately 2200. The distance covered was about four miles. When approximately a hundred yards from the airfield it was noticed that there was considerable activity going on throughout the area. Because of the extreme darkness, nothing of these activities could be seen. No lights of any kind were permitted, and the units were forced to design their respective defense areas in as nearly total blackness as can be imagined.

This former airfield was built by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1944 under the name 'Kita Airfield'. It was captured by US forces on April 1, 1945

A Soldier of the US Marine Corps sit on a US 400-MM (+-) dud and sand out of his shoe. 1945 (Once a Marine, Always a Marine)Many attempts were made to dig in, but the asphalt of the landing strip made this impossible. As an alternative, the men dug up parts of the field and constructed foxholes above the ground. Shortly after being assigned an area for the defense, and putting the machine guns in their places, the machine gun platoon leader was informed by the CO that tanks were going to be moving up into the main lines and to have guides ready to lead them around the already started foxholes. This was accomplished within the next twenty minutes without a serious mishap to any of the personnel in the area.

At 2330 all activity ceased in the area, and the troops settled down for the night. It was with considerable surprise, that the men of Baker Co greeted daybreak, on April 4. As far as the eye could see, it seemed, troops on foot, and many tanks were occupying the area. The 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion, had also been ordered to Yontan, to supplement the 1st Battalion, 29th Regiment, in the night’s defense. Also on this morning, the men received the happy surprise that prior to returning to the defensive area occupied on the third night, they were to receive hot coffee and soup and would be transported via trucks to the Love plus three lines. Upon returning to the battalion-occupied area at 1130, Apr 4, the previous day’s plans to continue the advance to the front were put into action. Since small elements of the Battalion headquarters unit, Charlie Co, and a platoon from Able Co, had been left to hold the position against attack. Upon disembarking from the trucks, the information had been disseminated that the night of Apr 3 had been quiet with no enemy activity reported.

April 1, 1945, 1st Armored Amphibious Battalion heading to the beach in Okinawa

Shortly after 1200, the company was formed on the road and prepared to move out for the defensive area planned for that night. Reaching the area at 1700, the same type of defense was set up as for the previous day, and the unit spent an uneventful wight. On the following day, the company moved at 0730 and at noon received the word that the remainder of the 29th Regiment had been landed and moved up to the Love plus four lines and that the 1st Battalion would rejoin them on the afternoon of Apr 5. Thus the drive up Ishikawa Isthmus continued with the 22d Regiment on the left followed by the 29th, and the 4th on the right of the Division sector.

Some well deserved rest in Okinawa

By 1700 on Apr 5, the advance had reached a line extending from Atsutabaru on the west coast of the Peninsula, to Kin on the east. A defensive position was established and again the troops dug in. Baker Co was located well in the right of the regimental sector, high up in the rough terrain. Again on this night, the machine gun platoon suffered casualties, as well as the remainder of the company. Proceeded by the explosion of hand grenades and the fires of small arms, an attack made by a small band of Japs, war repelled. No machine gun fires were laid down because of the clear thinking of the gunners in estimating the size of the attacking force. However, several hand-to-hand fights were reported the following day as well as one in which the machine gun platoon leader became engaged. The attack came at approximately midnight, all hands being alerted by the listening posts throwing their grenades. It was on the right flank of the company area, the enemy being about twenty in strength.



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