Orote Peninsula To The End

The Japanese provided a strange prelude to the battle for Orote, during the night of the 25^th. In response to an order for a general counterattack, over 500 Japanese troops had assembled in the mangrove swamp to the front of the 22^nd Marines.

The Marines could hear them jabbering and shouting, in what seemed to be a drunken brawl. At last, fortified by sake, they boiled out of the swamp, and like a disorganized mob attacked the left flank of Company L, 22nd Marines, and the right flank of Company A, 4^th Marines. Forward observers immediately called artillery fire of the Brigade, 77^th Division and Corps down on the screaming enemy troops. The few that reached the marines lines were cut down by small arms and machine gun fire. It was soon over and the usual nighttime routines were resumed. The early morning light revealed the mangled remains of over 400 Japanese dead. A gruesome sight, even for the hardened veterans of the First Brigade. Their sacrifice did not hinder in any way, the assault of the Brigade ordered for the 26^th.

The attack of the Brigade on the 26^th was preceded by an intense bombardment by air, naval gunfire and artillery. The 4^th Marines then began their advance in a column of Battalions, with the 1^st Battalion in the lead supported by tanks. On the right, the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions of the 22^nd Marines were subjected to a heavy shelling by the enemy as they were preparing to jump off. This caused much confusion, and it was 0815 before the assault units were ready to advance.

This delay opened a gap between the two regiments that was quickly closed by L Company, 4^th Marines. Also, as the 1^st Battalion advanced behind the tanks, I Company 4^th Marines mopped up enemy troops that had been by-passed. The 4^th Marines met light resistance initially, but as the attack progressed dense brush on the left, and increasing enemy fire on the right, slowed their progress. To maintain the momentum of the assault, and utilize the entire resources of the regiment, General Shepherd ordered a change of regimental boundaries. The change would permit all three Battalion’s of the 4^th Marines to participate in the assault.

Brigade tanks played an essential role, as the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions moved into position on line. The thick vegetation that was encountered was crushed down by the tanks, and scattered resistance was smothered by their machine gun fire. As the advance continued, heavy machine and mortar fire began to rake the 4^th Marines lines. The enemy had cut mutually supporting fire lanes, through the thick brush and overhanging branches, that were not apparent until the Japanese opened fire. It was clear that the Brigade was uncovering a well organized, in depth enemy defense line. However, by 1730 both regiments were on their objective and organizing for defense, except on the far right flank.

The 22^nd Marines, in the late afternoon, had been delayed by a 200 yard corridor of Aerial bomb mines, covered by heavy machine gun and mortar fire. For the night, they had refused their flank, and covered the gap that was created by machine gun and artillery fire. The Brigade enjoyed a quiet night all along the line, with no effort by the enemy to make a penetration.

The 4^th Marines objective for the 27^th was an ill defined trail 700 yards forward of their existing position’s. The ground they would cross was covered with thick tangled brush that concealed an abundance of pillbox’s, trenches and bunkers that were mutually supporting. The enemy positions were well supplied with machine guns, mortars and artillery of various sizes and bore.

The Brigades attack began on the heels of a thorough bombardment of the target area by air, naval gunfire and artillery. In the 4^th Marines sector, the 3^rd Battalion moved out with I and L companies in the assault supported by a platoon of tanks. Following a morning of intense and costly fighting, they broke through the enemy’s defenses organized along a low ridge. The tanks were indispensable as their 75’s ripped apart the enemy’s gun emplacements. The tank infantry teams continued to advance through a stand of coconut trees but casualties were heavy among the exposed marines. When the objective line was reached and secured, Company L had incurred 70 casualties.

The 1^st Battalion, on the far left of the 4^th Marines line, had encountered far less resistance and had reached it’s objective by 1100. The 2^nd Battalion, had also experienced much easier going, and reached the objective line by 1200 hours.

Both units, organized for defense, and waited for the 3^rd Battalion to come up on the right. As the 3^rd Battalion reached the phase line, their supporting tanks ran out of ammunition. The Sherman’s, that had supported the advance in the center, moved over and covered the Battalion while defensive positions were being established. During that interval, a column of some 300 Japanese were spotted moving in the open across a ridge. Cannon and machine gun fire, delivered by the Sherman tanks, ripped apart the enemy column amid the cheers of the watching marines.

On the right flank of the Brigade, G Company 22^nd Marines, supported by tanks, worked their way through the minefield that had previously delayed the advance. The Bomb Disposal Officer, covered by smoke, then cleared a path for the tanks to move through and support the assault. The 2^nd Battalion, 22^nd Marines, encountered heavy resistance, but drove relentlessly ahead. By 1400, there was room for the 3^rd Battalion to come up on the right and join the attack. The advance was slow but steady, with the tanks ripping apart enemy bunkers. Late in the afternoon, Col. Schneider decided to make an all out effort to break through the enemy’s line. He called for a concentration of artillery fire, and a bombing and strafing run by carrier aircraft. Suddenly, after the air strike had been delivered, the Japanese abandoned their positions and fled, to the astonishment of the assaulting marines. This enabled the 22^nd, to advance quickly to high ground overlooking the Marine Barracks, and organize their defense for the night. The Brigade again experienced an unusually quiet night free of enemy activity.

The assault on the 28^th was preceded by a prolonged bombardment by air, naval gunfire and artillery. The 22^nd Marines launched their attack at 0830 and moved forward against very little resistance. By 1000, the objective line had been reached, and by order of General Shepherd they pressed on to take full advantage of the opportunity. Without serious opposition the 22^nd Marines were able to secure the old Marine Barracks, the town of Sumay and the cliffs along the harbor. A secure defensive line on favorable ground was established by 1750.

However, the enemy was alert and ready for the attack of the 4^th Marines. Their defense was organized in depth, along a 300 yard ridgeline, blocking the approaches to the rifle range and the air field. Thorn bushes and other tropical growth was hiding 200 or more emplacements reinforced with coconut logs, earth and cement, also anti-tank and anti-personnel mines guarded the approaches to their positions. The ability to maneuver was limited by the terrain, and left no alternative to a frontal assault. When the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions began their advance, they encountered a large volume of fire and very determined resistance. Slowly, hour by hour, the assault was pressed with tank infantry teams closing with the line of emplacements.

Eventually, the tanks were able to pour 75mm fire directly into the bunkers, while marines flushed out survivors with white phosphorous grenades. Angry marines quickly dispatched the emerging enemy troops. Reinforced, by two platoon’s of marine tanks and a platoon of army light tanks, the 4^th Marines swept through the last Japanese defenders to a position near the rifle range. By nightfall, the regiment was securely dug in and in contact with the 22^nd Marines on the right.

PERSONAL NOTE: [During the long day, everyone in K Company who was not directly engaged manned litters and moved forward to evacuate the seriously wounded. The ground was very rough, uneven and covered with holes that were hidden by the long grass. Because of the urgency we would run or half-run and frequently stumbled and fell. The screams, outcries or whimpering of the helpless victims was hard to endure, but increased our resolve to get them to the Aid Station. Sometimes, when we arrived we were rewarded by grateful smiles from the wounded. Frequently however, the corpsman would shake his head and we understood that we were to late. We could only turn away to return, hoping that the next time would be different.]

Late that evening, Capt. Sexton told me to report to the weapons platoon, as replacements were needed. I was assigned to a machine gun squad, and since I was new to the company and unknown to most, I told no one that I was an NCO. I remained with the squad until the Brigade returned to our base at Guadalcanal. I was quickly accepted and felt very comfortable as a functioning member of a machine gun squad.