8 - 14 JULY 1945
8 July 1945
PHASE X |
"8 July 1945, 0800- Enemy becoming very active at
Fabrica. 2d Bn moved to area. 3d Bn to follow. Field Artillery and 4.2
mortars to assist." |
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I have no further entries until 14 July. The page containing the 7 July
entry is unreadable at the bottom, so there may be a page
missing - Ed. |
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"Nil
activity." |
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9 July 1945
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" At
0900 rec. reports that Nip's were moving along the R.R.
toward Fabrica. Co. alerted and set up perimeter around hospital
and homes of the I.L.C.O. One man
wounded from fall from observation post on hospital. Main force seems to
be in vicinity of Palala River area approx. number 1500. No activity
during night." |
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"Sgt. Thomas with BAR, sniper rifle, two radio operators,
& 16 guerrillas left company CP at 0900 with mission of recco San
Isidro, Dap, Paz, San Jose as follows:
aapr. 30 enemy in vicinity of San Jose (35.2-12.6) armed with HMG,
LMG, & rifles. Guerrillas with patrol reported killing 10 enemy
soldiers. Company
alerted for move to Fabrica." |
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With the move
to Fabrica I end my Phase III. |
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10 July 1945
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NEGROS CAMPAIGN - PHASE IV |
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Platt's
remainded on perimeter. Nil: activity." |
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Apparently "E" Company is alone
at Fabrica. |
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"First
elements of company boarded trucks at 1630 hr for move to Fabrica. Due
to lack of transportation, the move took appr. 5 hours. Company intact
at 2130 hr. & set up in a bonded warehouse in Fabrica. Sgt. Ballard and
squad left company CP to set up on airstrip across river from Fabrica." |
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S/Sgt Ballard had to move his
squad across the river on the middle span of the bridge which had been
blown. The floor of this span was at, or slightly below water level. The
river was wide and deep here. One had to climb down to the blown span
and cross on boards which had been wired in place. The boards were there
to keep the pathway above the water. This usually failed, because there
was a lot of traffic going both ways. The pedestrians had to pass each
other on the boards which were about a foot wide. A lot of traffic put
the boards several inches below the water. When one got to the end of
the blown span they had to climb up to the intact span. In passing on
the floor plank, one had to hold on to the banister and lean out away
from the bridge on one side or toward the bridge on the other side while
the opposite person did the reverse. Vehicles had to be ferried across. |
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11 July 1945
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"Platt's
pulled in from perimeter at 0500 hr. At 0900 hr entire Co. with LMG's
atch. left Fabrica by motor car for Di-anay to investigate a report of
50 Japs in that area. Upon arrival Nip's had left, killed one civilian
and done considerable damage to Di-anay R.R. Bridge. Co. returned at
1900 hr. Two prisoners turned in by guriellas (sic)." |
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"Sgt.
Ballard & squad relieved & Sgt. Fields & squad set up at airstrip are
for possible bivouac area for company. Did not find suitable site to set
up camp. Capt. LaVanchure called a meeting of plat. sgt. & plat. leaders
for move 12 July, 45." |
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A.T. Field had been a
member of Carl Ballard's squad and now had his own squad. Many changes
had occurred. Bill McDonald had been a Pfc. when we landed on Negros. He
now was platoon sergeant of the 1st platoon. John Bartlett was a squad
leader. Anthony Lopez was a squad leader. Others, too, had moved from
Pfc's to the first three grade ranks. Our problem was that there
were so few of the old Pfc's left. |
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12 July 1945
0800 |
Co.'s
Hqs, "D", and "E" are making preparations for move by rail to DIANAY
BRIDGE (16.0-31.4). (Map: Negros I, Scale 1:250,000). Hqs and "E" will
board railcars at 121030 hr. 1130 Trained
(train)
moved out after picking up Batry "A"; 462d Prcht FA. Hqs. Co. leaving
behind mess personnel and supply. "D" Co. will move out this afternoon
are tomorrow morning. "F" Co. to remain behind as security for FABRICA. |
1500 |
Advance
group: Col. Jones, Maj. Padgett, Maj. Donovan arrived at DIANAY BRIDGE
and established bivouac area. Perimeter to be set up by "E" Co. upon
arrival. |
1530 |
Hqs. &
"E" Co arrived in a bit of rain, "E" Co sent out recco patrols in the
immediate area. |
1600 |
Train
movement took longer than expected because of reported enemy activity in
vic of DIANAY BRIDGE. This enemy reported by cub plane dropping message. |
1730 |
Bivouac
area established. "E" Co maintaining perimeter around area. |
1830 |
Orders
issued by Bn. CO for all men to dig in and maintain silence during the
hours of darkness. |
1900 |
Plans
made to send recco patrols out tomorrow morning." |
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E Company
History: "7-12-45 |
"Entire
Co. with LMG's attah. moved out at 1000 hr. by railcar dor Di-anay. Ariv.
1600 hr. Set up perimeter and dug in. Local patrols sent out. Nil
activity."
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F Company
History, 12 July 1945 |
"Company
moved from abandoned warehouse to area formerly occupied by "E" Company
which is located in Fabrica proper. First squad set up a guard for
airstrip & called back at 1235 hr. Lt. Turpin with five men acted as
guide & guard for regimental commander to San Pablo." |
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Turpin had been with the
OSS during the later part of the ETO. He had jumped in the Marseilles
area. |
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Regimantal
History, 13 July 1945 |
"Secured
plane to trips to Dumaguette."
Lt.
Col's Lawrie & Erickson awarded Silver Stars." |
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Col Erickson was a brave
and efficient battalion commander. He was well respected throughout the
RCT and deserved the award. |
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13 July 1945
0730
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Nil
activity during the hours of darkness. |
0745 |
Password
for 1218001 to 130800I is NELLY KELLY. |
0800 |
Filipino
civilians report approx 100 enemy bivouaced during the night approx 500
yds west of DIANAU BRIDGE. Patrol sent out from "E" Co to investigate. |
0830 |
Communications equipment arrived also temporary rations for "E" Co. |
1000 |
Air
strike made by twelve (12) B-24's on BAGO area (15.8-31.4). Second pass
made by six B-24's which dropped bombs at approx (16.2-24.0 bomb
fragments fell inside the battalion area.
We suffered no serious casualties. |
1100 |
D & F
Co's arrived at 130945 and have established their position as
follows;
D Co (15.8-23.5) F Co
(16.0-22.8) (Map: Operations Map #1. |
1300 |
Two
squads, Lt West patrol leader, left "E" Co CP at 130830 to recco rail
line SOUTH. Engaged estimated twenty to thirty enemy in vicinity
(16.0-24.3) accounted for five (5) enemy KIA. |
1500 |
(Map
Operations #1) Disposition of troops: Bn CP (15.2-24.2), E Co
(15.1-24.1), F Co (16.0-22.8), D Co (15.8-23.5).
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1700 |
At 1615
hr following message below was sent to all Co CO's: |
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At
approx 0930 hr 14 July '45 at approx 4 mi SOUTH of BAGO area (15.8-31.4)
(Map: Scale 1:250,000) Col. Jones has requested an airstrike. Warn
everyone not to use WP until strike is over, everyone will be notified
when strike is over. |
1710 |
One
platoon, Lt. Loehr patrol leader, left E Co CP at 130700I with mission
of investigating reported enemy activity in vic (15.5-24.5) (Operation
Map #1). Patrol returned at 130945I and the patrol leader reports coming
upon an estimated six or eight enemy, patrol killed one, enemy was armed
with rifles and returned several shots before fleeing. Our patrol
captured all the equipment the enemy was carrying which included one Ml
rifle and one enemy rifle which was destroyed. |
1715 |
Unable
to send patrol to obtain results of airstrike due to artillery
registration till 131700I.
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1800 |
The
password for 131800I to 140800I is HOLIDAY-INN. |
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"2nd
platt. patrolled east 1000 yds, hit approx.10 Japs, killed 2. Capt. 7
packs, 1 M-1 rifle, 2 .25 rifles. 3rd plat patrolled north 2 kilos, hit
15 Japs, killed five."
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"Company
awoke at 1305 & prepared to move. Boarded train at 1307, six B-24
Bombers dropped their bombs near the train & caused much excitement. We
had one casualty from indirect causes. After the bombing, we proceeded
to Maniog Bridge where company set up perimeter for the night. At 1315,
Lt. Whiting with one squad, proceeded to recon the Palotanguan(,)
Manbalico & Dinabongbong Bridges, found bridges to be in good shape.
Investigated huts 1/2 mile from Dinabongbong Bridge on right side of
bridge. Found one boy picking corn and one woman running away. In the
biggest hut found two documents.
Everything quiet during the night with one exception, Pfc Green, threw a
hand grenade at a wild pig which he
had mistaken to be a Jap." |
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The
writer is hung up on 1300 hours. "D" Company and "F" Company left
Fabrica early that morning. "D" Company was on flat cars, and "F"
Company was in box cars. The sliding doors on the right side were open.
I was sitting in the door leaning back against the jamb. We were in a
cut several feet deep. There was a deep drainage ditch on each side of
the roadbed. The train had stopped and was sitting there. The engines,
rolling stock, and rails were in poor shape so it was not unusual to
stop. When we moved it was at slow speed.
Soon
we heard the roar of approaching B-24 Bombers. Nothing unusual about
that, another air strike. But suddenly we head the explosions of bombs
coming our way. These were the first bombs of a stick which had been
released with us as the target. I think they were 500 pound bombs. They
were shaking the earth. My reflex action carried me in one leap from the
door into the drainage ditch in a prone position. Others were on top of
me almost instantly. I heard a groan. When we got out of the ditch we
could see that the other box cars had done as we did. Then we found the
cause of the groan. One of the early ones on the bottom had been
kicked in the jaw, and his
jaw was fractured, so that was our "casualty from indirect causes."
"D"
Company was on the flat cars and stopped out of the cut. They had
several men hit by shrapnel. Fortunately the chain of bombs crossed our
train at a 90 degree angle.
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14 July 1945
PHASE X
14 July 1945 |
"..Patrol from E Co ran into Japs. Lt.
Turpin killed; two enlisted men
drowned while crossing swollen river."
Turpin was the last
man killed in "F" Company during WWII. The account of the tragic death of
the two men from E Company is given below in the "D" Company History.
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0700 |
" Nil
activity during the hours of darkness. |
0800 |
Coordinated
move of two reinforced platoons from "D" Co & two reinforced platoons
from "E" Co will remain in contact with each other by SCR-300 radio and
move
into BAGO area (15.8-31.4)(Map:
1:250,000) to recco this area and obtain results of air strike that was
made in that area yesterday. "F" Co will send one platoon to recco
(17.0-20.4) another platoon to recco rail line to (18.5-22.7) and
(18.6-20.7) (Map: Operations #1.
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0830 |
At
approx 131800I Lt. Whiting
"F"
Co with thirty (30) man patrol returned. Patrol reached approx
(17.7-12.7) (Operations Map #1) No enemy contacted.
At
approx 131800I Lt. Watkins, C Co with thirty (30) man patrol returned.
No enemy contacted, Reports possible river ford at approx (15.3-23.35).
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0900 |
Two
reinforced platoons, E Co, Lt Whitson in charge with Lt Link Arty Obsv
moved out at 140855I.
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0910 |
B-24
air strike was made at 140830I at appr (4 mi SOUTH) pf BAGO. |
1030 |
"D"
Co patrol reports reaching HIMUGAAN RIVER are are preparing to cross the
river at (15.3-23.3) at 141020. |
1045 |
Filipino
civilians report enemy activity vic (16.2-24.2) one squad bring sent out
by E Co to recco area. |
1130 |
E
Co patrol reports crossing HIMUGAAN RIVER. |
1435 |
At
141030I one reinforced squad, Lt. Presher patrol leader, R Co, left Co
CP with mission of investigating Filipino report of enemy activity in
vicinity (16.5-24.5) (Operations Map). Patrol returned at 141330I and
the patrol leader made the following report: In vicinity of (16.2-24.4)
patrol came upon believed enemy OP consisting of four (4) enemy, patrol
killed one (1) enemy also observed one other believed enemy OP off to
the right side of the trail also observed hut with estimated
group of approx fifty (50) enemy in that area. Patrol accounted for
twelve (12) enemy killed from BAR and rifle fire. Patrol leader believes
they killed more but were unable to search the hut or area due to enemy
rifle fire coming from approx 500 yds to their front. Plan to send
platoon patrol to this area with Field Artillery observer on 15th July.
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1500 |
At 1330
hr D & E Co. patrols now in BAGO area investigating results of air
strike made 13 July '45. Will send full report to regiment when patrols
return. (This message was sent to CO RCT. |
1530 |
Total
enemy killed for 2d Bn on 13 July was six KIA. |
1540 |
One man
WIA by enemy rifle shot on "D" Co perimeter at 141445I. |
1830 |
At
140900, Lt Whitson two platoons, LMG sec, mission to obtain results of
air strike on 13 Jult '45 in BAGO area. At 141000I (14.7-24.3) patrol
captured unarmed enemy. POW surrendered voluntarily at 141200I at
(14.5-24.4) patrol killed four (4) unarmed enemy one was navy aid man
and other three were soldiers. Enemy had two cans salmon, some
vegetables. Patrol crossed river with difficulty (14.5-24.4) patroled
WEST up HAMTICON RIVER to approx (13.6-22.6) turned SOUTH (14.7-22.4)
then EAST to HIMUGAAN RIVER. At 141515I at (14.6-22.4) patrol killed three (3) unarmed enemy at (14.6-22.9) checked at least thirty shacks.
No enemy bodies found. Air strike moderately concentrated in this area.
Patrol reports river extremely dangerous to cross river. One
MI
rifle
loss in crossing. |
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At
140900 Lt Calhoun with two platoon, one LMG section, one 60mm mortar
squad left E Co CP arrived BUGANG area (15.5-22.4). Nil enemy activity
F
Co
established forward CP. Sent one platoon SOUTH to MALOPASOC.
Civilians
report groups two to eight enemy in this vicinity, hunting food and
returning to woods. Usually one rifle per group. Patrol reports all
bridges servicable. BARRE BRIDGE (17.3-216) has been damaged by burning.
Believe servicable for trains. One platoon
up EAST spur of BUGANG
reported enemy activity. Fourteen cars loaded with logs approx
900 yds EAST of BUGANG railline still servicable. Patrol returned to
BUGANG. Lt Turpin with twelve men investigated reported four enemy
at (17.3-22.6). Approaching enemy fired one shot killing Lt. Turpin.
Patrol took shack found fire burning, enemy fled believe two were
wounded. Lt. Turpin's body recovered. |
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Dog Co
activities incomplete due to patrol digging in on WEST BANK HIMAGAAN
RIVER (15.3-23.35)
patrol unable to recross river due to extremely swift current of
river also reports killing one enemy. |
1900 |
The
password for 141800I to 150800I is LUCKY-DAY." |
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"At 0900
the CO, Lt Gifford, the 2nd plt under Lt:
Ward, and the 3d pit under Lt.
Watkins, and one section of LMG under Lt. Pomeroy moved west
to patrol S Bago area
across the Himagaan River. The machine gunners fired on the enemy who
was sighted across the river. The 2nd plt and the 2d squad of the 3d
crossed the river and proceeded SW. The machine gunners
investigated the enemy they had fired upon and discovered
he was only wounded. When they approached the Jap, he committed suicide
with a grenade.
Upon
investigation he was found to be a Naval Petty Officer. The patrol
returned and started to cross the
river at 1330. The river, due to heavy rains, was rising rapidly and
Pvts. Chapman and Maveus were washed off the rope and drowned in spite
of efforts of Lt. Ward, and Pfc. Beauregard and Santilli and Pvt. Usar
to save them. Lt. Gifford, Lt. Ward, and 10 men remained on the west
side of the river and the remainder of the patrol returned to the
perimeter at 1730. At 1600 Pvt. Michael was shot in the foot by a Jap
sniper."
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"7-14-45
2nd and 3rd platt to Camp Bago area. 3 Nip KIA. 1 Chinese POW taken. 1
M-1 rifle lost crossing Himugaan River. 1 squad from 1st platt. to
investigate report of 100 Japs 2000 yds to the SE. KIA approx. 10." |
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"Lt
Calhoun with first and second platoons & one section of machine guns,
plus one section of mortars, left by train to recon Buagang Lumber Camp.
Second platoon went to Malapasoc area to patrol that area and first
platoon took the track to east of the lumber camp. Second platoon
received message that four Japs were in a civilian home. Approaching the
house, Lt. Turpin was killed by a sniper. Patrol returned to camp at
1400 hr. First Lt. Mathis was told to report to regimental CP at 1430."
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1st Lt. Norman Turpin |
"Lt. Calhoun with first and
second platoons & one section of machine guns, plus one section of mortars,
left by train to recon Buagang Lumber Camp. Second platoon went to Malapasoc
area to patrol that area and first platoon took the track to east of the
lumber camp. Second platoon received message that four Japs were in a
civilian home. Approaching the house, Lt. Turpin was killed by a sniper.
Patrol returned to camp at 1400 hr. First Lt. Mathis was told to report to
regimental CP at 1430."
Norman Turpin was the last "F" Company KIA of WWII. |
Bugang Camp was at the
junction of the main line running north-south and a spur running
to the east. The map shows the camp to be a distance from the railroad,
but it was on the lines. I do not remember any buildings there. Insular
Lumber Company (ILCO) constructed these camps for their employees. They
consisted of small houses with roofs, sides, and floors which could be
taken apart. These sections were placed on flat cars and hauled to a new
site for a camp.
The platoons are reversed in the "history". The 1st
platoon under Lt.
Mathis patrolled south along the main line toward Malapasoc, and the 2d
platoon patrolled east along the spur. Lt. Turpin was the 2d platoon
leader. The train with the 81mm mortar and the light machine guns waited
at the rail junction. Before the 2d platoon had moved more than a few
hundred yards a Filipino civilian approached them and told Lt. Turpin
that four daps were in a nipa hut off to the left of the tracks a few
hundred yards ahead. Following him they turned on the tracks onto a
path leading through thick underbrush. After going a short distance the
path emerged into a clearing. The hut stood in the middle of the
clearing. It was built on stilts about four or five feet off the ground.
The windows were covered with hinged thatch covers. The platoon sergeant
wanted to blast the hut with fire, but Turpin disagreed and walked out
into the clearing toward the hut, apparently believing it was
unoccupied. A shot rang out and Turpin fell. Now, too late, the hut was
riddled. Norman Turpin's death
brought back memories of the death of Willaim
G.
Campbell on Corregidor -- I have
always felt they both could have been avoided had the officers lived
long enough to gain more experience. Lt. David, LMG platoon leader,
attached to "D" Company died early in the Negros campaign when he insisted
in standing and scanning the country side with his binoculars. So many
other men and officers died due to mistakes, but this does not lessen
their contribution one iota. It just causes those of us who knew them to
sadly reflect "what if?"
We carried Turpin's body back to Fabrica on the
train. He was turned over to graves Registration and properly interned.
At this stage the war seemed destined to last a long time. There was the
Japanese homeland yet to be invaded. None of us felt that our chances of
survival were good. Little did we know that Turpin's death would be the
last in "F" Company from enemy action.
According to Tony Lopez, who was with the 2d platoon today, when
they approached the clearing the lead elements halted and stayed low
behind a large log. Then, after declining to take his sergeant's advice,
Turpin went forward and was killed. They opened fire, but a Jap jumped
out of the hut on the far side away from them and dashed into the nearby
brush. They fired at him but did not know if they hit him. After
riddling the hut they rushed in. The only occupant was a woman who had
escaped injury by taking refuge in a big, heavily built oven.
About
this time, either the day before, or shortly thereafter, I took a large
part of the company down the tracks on patrol. We approached a large
nipa house on the left side of the tracks. A garden bordered the right
side of the tracks. About half the garden was planted in corn which was
full grown. As we were investigating the house firing broke out, a woman
started screaming, and a child could be heard crying. Running out to the
tracks I saw a couple of the newer men firing into the corn. A woman was
near them screaming "Don't kill my husband!" A boy about eight years of
age was crying, "Don't kill my daddy!" I stopped the firing, and we went
into the corn patch. Soon we found a terrified younger Filipino man lying
between the rows. A bullet had almost torn one of his heels off.
The two men had seen the man through the corn - and, thinking he was a
Jap, opened fire on him. The Filipino had attempted to run. Luckily for
him and his family he was not more severely injured.
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