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."

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.

"Nil activity."

"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."

Platt's remainded on perimeter. Nil: activity." 

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.

"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)."

"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."

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.

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.

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.

Hqs. & "E" Co arrived in a bit of rain, "E" Co sent out recco patrols in the immediate area.

Train movement took longer than expected because of reported enemy activity in vic of DIANAY BRIDGE. This enemy reported by cub plane dropping message.

Bivouac area established. "E" Co maintaining perimeter around area.

Orders issued by Bn. CO for all men to dig in and maintain silence during the hours of darkness.

Plans made to send recco patrols out tomorrow morning."

"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."

"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."

Turpin had been with the OSS during the later part of the ETO. He had jumped in the Marseilles area.

"Secured plane to trips to Dumaguette."

Lt. Col's Lawrie & Erickson awarded Silver Stars."

Col Erickson was a brave and efficient battalion commander. He was well respected throughout the RCT and deserved the award.

Nil activity during the hours of darkness.

Password for 1218001 to 130800I is NELLY KELLY.

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.

Communications equipment arrived also temporary rations for "E" Co.

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.

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.

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.

(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).

At 1615 hr following message below was sent to all Co CO's:

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.

 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.

Unable to send patrol to obtain results of airstrike due to artillery registration till 131700I.

The password for 131800I to 140800I is HOLIDAY-INN.

"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."

"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."

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.

"..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.

" Nil activity during the hours of darkness.

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).

 Two reinforced platoons, E Co, Lt Whitson in charge with Lt Link Arty Obsv moved out at 140855I.

 B-24 air strike was made at 140830I at appr (4 mi SOUTH) pf BAGO.

 "D" Co patrol reports reaching HIMUGAAN RIVER are are preparing to cross the river at (15.3-23.3) at 141020.

 Filipino civilians report enemy activity vic (16.2-24.2) one squad bring sent out by E Co to recco area.

 E Co patrol reports crossing HIMUGAAN RIVER.

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.

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.

Total enemy killed for 2d Bn on 13 July was six KIA.

One man WIA by enemy rifle shot on "D" Co perimeter at 141445I.

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.

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.

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.

The password for 141800I to 150800I is LUCKY-DAY."

"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."

"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."

"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."

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.