5307th : Plan of Attack

The line of departure was to be approximately one and one half miles from the south bank of the Tanai River. H-Hour varied with each battalion. The 3rd Battalion was to move out at 1600, Mar 2, while the 2nd and 1st Battalions were to follow at approximately 0100, on Mar 3. The 3rd Battalion was to move south to the objective by way of Sana Ga, and Lagang Ga, and was to seize and hold the high ground on the east bank of the Nambyu River overlooking Walawbum.

From positions on this high ground the 3rd Battalion was to prevent an enemy withdrawal from Walawbum by covering the Kamaing Road with machine-gun and mortar fire. The 2nd Battalion was to proceed south along the trail to Wesu Ga, cut a trail southwest to a point two and a half miles from Walawbum on the Kamaing Road, and to build and hold a road block at this point to prevent the flow of reinforcements and supplies to the enemy engaged by the Chinese 22nd and 38th Divisions in the vicinity of Maingkwan.

The 1st Battalion in reserve had the mission of building road blocks at Sana Ga and Nichet Ga, and holding them with one platoon at each. The purpose of this mission was to prevent enemy elements known to be north of the Tanai River from moving south to reinforce Walawbum and to prevent attack from the rear. The remainder of one combat team was to set up combat patrols west of Walawbum between Shimak Ga, and Uga Ga to protect the right flank of the forward elements. One combat team was to be held near Wesu Ga, prepared to be committed upon order.

The 5307 was to hold these positions until relieved by either the Chinese 22nd or 38th Divisions. There was no artillery with, or in support of the Marauders. Each battalion was to depend upon its organic 60-MM and 81-MM mortars and .30 caliber light machine guns for supporting fire. The Command Post of the 5307 was to be initially at Pup Ga and would displace forward when the three battalions had advanced to the vicinity of the objectives. A command radio net was maintained which enabled the 5307 to have direct contact with each of the three battalions and with the six combat teams.

This unusual arrangement gave isolated units direct access to the HQs of the 5307 for the purpose of forwarding information or receiving orders when beyond range or cut off from its immediate headquarters. Provision was also made for elements of the combat teams to have a similar direct access to the Command Group by SCR-536. Each battalion was provided an AN/PRC-1 for communication with the supply base and an SCR-284 for contact with cargo and fighter planes. All units within battalions were equipped with SCR-300’s. In addition to radio, mounted and foot messengers were to be used when necessary. No wire was to be used because of its weight and bulk.

Final Preparation Before Crossing the Line of Departure

On the afternoon of Mar 2, all three battalions were in a drop zone north of the Tanai River. Here, at 1500, the 1st and 2nd Battalions received three days rations, as well as grain, equipment and ammunition. The 3rd Battalion, due to depart at 1600, had time to draw sufficient ammunition and equipment, but received only one day’s ration before it moved out. After drawing their quota the 1st and 2nd Battalions crossed the Tanai River. They then proceeded by trail to the vicinity of the line of departure where they bivouacked.

The Attack on Walawbum

At 1650, on Mar 2, the 3/5307 in single file, preceded by its I&R Platoon, crossed the line of departure and made its way to the vicinity of Sana Ga. Here, the Battalion established heavy security and bivouacked for the night. In the early hours of Mar 3, the 2/5307, the Command Group, and the 1/5307 followed and by dawn, all elements of the 5307 had crossed the line of departure. By mid-morning of the same day, the 3/5307 was rapidly moving toward its objectives over the trail and through the tangled underbrush. By 1100 it had passed through the hamlet of Sabu Ga, where the enemy withdrew before a shot was fired. At 1200 the 3/5307 reported a sizable skirmish on the outskirts of Lagang Ga in which 50 Japanese were killed. Shortly after noon, the 3/5307 left Lagang Ga leaving Khaki Combat Team behind to commence work immediately upon the forward drop zone and airstrip and to protect the rear of the battalion as it advanced toward Walawbum.

Despite almost continuous encounters with small enemy patrols the Battalion then moved on without delay to the immediate vicinity of Walawbum. Here they quickly established two positions; one on a small knoll about 500 yards to the north of Walawbum and the other approximately 1200 yards southeast of the village on high ground overlooking the eastern bank of the Numpyek River. As evening closed in the men prepared foxholes roofed with timber. Strong security forces were posted to guard the perimeter and patrols screened the area.

After a day of cautious movement, the 2/5307 aware that the area was alive with Japanese patrols, approached Wesu Ga. Suddenly the trail blazed with fire as a small enemy patrol hidden by the dense foliage along the trail blasted at the lead scout. The scout dropped instantly to the ground. Two Japanese, believing him dead, rushed forward. As they did, he arose quickly from his prone position and fired, killing them both and routing the rest of the enemy patrol.

This incident farther alerted the battalion and an attack formation was organized. Searching every tree and gully the unit continued the march toward Wesu Ga. However, the leading elements entered the village only to find it completely deserted. The 2/5307, moved on through Wesu Ga, and halted about one mile west of the village. After organizing a strong perimeter defense the battalion dug in. The Command Group and the 1/5307 proceeded along the trail to the vicinity of Sabaw Ga, where they halted. After putting out patrols and establishing road blocks they bivouacked.

Second Day at Walawbum

On the morning of Mar 4, the Japanese, obviously confused and surprised by the unexpected and lightning-like advance of the Marauders searched the area with patrols, to determine the exact location and number of the unwelcome intruder. At dawn, Walawbum and the road leading south were brought under mortar fire by the 3/5307. In a desperate effort to locate the source of this bombardment, the Japanese sent several patrols in the direction of the Orange Combat Team. Orange Combat Team, however, from its vantage point on the high ground used its machine-guns to make the venture a costly one and killed 75 Japanese.
From its position on the knoll overlooking Walawbum, the 3/5307’s I&R Platoon was furnishing the 5307 with valuable information concerning the enemy’s activities in the village. However, the enemy early recognized the advantage this small hill gave the Marauders and at 0720 attacked the position from the north.

The initial assault was quickly followed by jabs from the northeast and northwest. Fortunately, a Nisei Sgt (Japanese-American) with the platoon was able to translate the loud orders shouted by the enemy. This enabled the platoon to meet each new direction of attack with automatic weapons fire. As the morning progressed the attacks grew in violence. The platoon leader radioed the combat team commander and asked permission to direct mortar fire on the attackers. Permission was granted and shells commenced falling around the platoon’s perimeter.

However, the enemy had practically surrounded the platoon and the Combat Team commander fearing the unit would be cut off from its parent organization ordered it to withdraw and join the Orange Combat Team. In compliance with this order, the platoon withdrew across the river under cover of mortar fire and the platoon’s own automatic weapons fire as well as a protective smokescreen. In the course of this action, the platoon had accounted for 90 enemies dead and lost only one of its own men.

Meanwhile, at 0900, the Khaki Combat Team (3/5307), in the vicinity of the Lagang Ga airstrip, was repulsing an enemy attack from the north. This enemy force, a patrol of about 30, was reinforced with a light machine-gun and a knee mortar. In the skirmish, the machine gunner whose fire lane covered the attacker’s route of approach was wounded but was promptly relieved by the assistant gunner. The assistant gunner had scarcely commenced firing when he too was wounded but managed to continue fire.

In the meantime, the machine-gun platoon leader had radioed back to the mortar section and was directing fire on the enemy. This combination of machine-gun and mortar fire forced the enemy to withdraw leaving ten members of his force dead. After leaving Wesu Ga, the 2/5307 hacked its way through the dense bamboo and by twilight had successfully reached the road without unduly alerting the enemy. By early evening of the same day, the Battalion had succeeded in building a roadblock on the Kamaing Road several miles west of Walawbum.

The 2nd Battalion’s I&R Platoon also managed to tap a telephone line connecting the Japanese 18th Division Headquarters with the forward enemy forces. This wiretap supplied the Marauders with valuable information on the following day. Meanwhile, the 1/5307 had constructed roadblocks on the trail leading into Lagang Ga, and Wesu Ga, at Nichet Ga, and Sana Ga. Patrols from the Battalion were covering the rear area from Ninghkn Ga to the rear of Gen Merrill’s Command Post and forward in the vicinity of Lagang Ga. These patrols met little resistance.

In spite of the patrolling twice during the day, individual Japanese soldiers managed to get within firing distance of the command post. The first time a Japanese machine gunner was spotted on the Walawbum Trail calmly placing his gun in position about one hundred yards from the Command Post. He was quickly driven off. Later, about fifty yards from the Command Post a lone Jap soldier was discovered. This enemy intruder was also driven away. As the shroud-like jungle night cloaked Walawbum the village grew strangely silent. The enemy was quiet. There were no sounds by which to gauge his movements nor anticipate his actions. The three battalions dug in after putting out strong security and prepared for another long night.



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