09:00

“E" Co platoon under Lt Whitson left for Recco of area in vicinity of (85.0-55.0), where 20 Japs were contacted yesterday.  Two Co’s of 158th area moving South from Bawe today on hill trails to attempt to drive  Shimuzu force South into our trail block vicinity of (86.0-59.0).  The trail block will be established by D Co, which is leaving Namber today, and will come back tomorrow afternoon.  "G" Co is leaving Namber today, to check in at 2nd Bn C.P. at Inasi.  It will set up a road block East of "D" Co at approximately (88.0-59.5).  This will catch any detachments that try to circle "D" Co to the East, and also cover our native gardens and water-hole.  We has had 4 dry days in a row now and the Japs have to depend on water holes unless they have a supply on hand.  We don’t believe they have a facility for this.  The 2nd Bn return to Namber will coincide with the first beer issue in the S.W.P.A.  A can a day will help put back some of the weight lost out here.“ 

Who ever put out this information must have been dreaming.  There might be an authorized beer rations, but the chances of any getting past the service troops at such an early period was nil."

“No.102  Password till 0900 hr 31 July.  Destination Tokyo."

"The 147th F.A. will lay barrage on reported Jap bivouac area between grid lines 60 and 62.  The 158th will catch Nips pulling out to the north.  "D" Co and "G" Co pulling out to the South."

"Cap't Pratt, 3rd Bn S-3 and Lt. Sanderson, Bn weapons O arrived at Inasi.  They will lay out their plans for the 3 Bn defense of Inasi based on observation and experience of 2 Bn. The 3rd Bn arrives Tuesday.  2nd leaves Wednesday less E Company."

"Hq. Co. patrol killed 2 Japs, took one Formosan at (88.0-56.0) all well armed with rifles and grenades."

"E" Co patrol reports no activity vicinity (95.0-56.0)."

"D" Company is in position for overnight road block patrol out, no activity."

"All patrols in.  No further activity.  "G" Co arrived at Inasi and want go out for its road block till tomorrow."

"Lt. Col. Jones, Regiment C.O., made full Colonel as of July 15th."

Quiet.  Our company strength is greatly reduced.  The unhealthy surroundings are taking their toll, so many evacuated due to infections.  The bad diseases are prevalent, especially malaria.  Our atabrine discipline has laways been strict, both incamp and in the field, but some malaria still occurs.  Not to take the atabrine meant certain malaria.  To take it prevented the disease or reduced the degree of the illness.  It also meant a yellow skin.  Atabrine is a good dye.  We made a peach cobbler today.

"Midnight Charlie was over for quiet awhile last night.  Ach-Ach at Kamiri put up a barrage.  Score 0-0."

"G" Company left for water hole at (88.2-58.0).  They are attached to 2nd Bn for administration and rations till 3rd Bn arrives.  Two days rations were brought in by "G" Company, and native carriers under protective patrol will resupply them.  The duration of "G" Company’s stay is yet unknown.  Sound power wire has been laid and we are in phone contact."

"E" Company patrol killed 2 Japs in garden at (85.7-54.7).  Japs were foraging armed with grenades.  In poor shape."

"E" Company patrol killed 3 Japs (found one a day) near above position.  Bivouac area looked as if 50 had stayed there recently.  Found some LMG ammo in clips, Knee mortar shells, rifle ammo and small shelters.  Destroyed 8 rifles in poor condition.  One Jap dead about a day showed signs of Cannibalism.  The skin on his back, buttocks, and legs had been pulled back and the flesh removed to the bones.  The head, feet, and arms were stiff but still intact.  Decomposition had not set in.  We knew days ago the Japs were hit hard for food, but this was the first evidence of cannibalism."

"G" Company arrived (87.8-57.3) killed 2 Japs armed."

"G" Company killed 2 Japs on their perimeter, 1 a 2nd Lt. They were only ones seen.  In Fair shape."

"D" Co returned to Inasi.  Had no contacts in 2 day patrol.  Last time up that way they had 4 contacts, trying to get back with 4 bodies, that had been left covered along the trail.  "D" Co will go out tomorrow or next day to bring back its 4 dead:  Lt. Vandivort, Lt. Long, Sgt. Eubanks, Pvt Lee.  Col. Britten attempted to recover the bodies 6 days ago but forced to return by Task Force orders curtailing over-nite patrols.  Now Bg Patrick, Cyclone C.O. orders dead brought in."

"Hq. Co. patrol killed 3 Japs of 3 gardens at (87.8-54.8) armed with grenades only.  The Japs equipment is becoming very poor especially shoes which are torn by coral composing this island.  Now when we kill Japs the shoes are cut up."

"Score:  Japs killed 232   Prisoners 31  Our losses 9 killed  15 wounded."

"Password will 0900 hr.  Aug 1st, Homeward Bound.  Someone has a sense of humor."

 "A platoon of "E" Co. went out to bring back Toupal, killed 7 days ago, and Frinsterwald lost in same action that Captain Smith’s in which 20 Japs were accounted for.”

For some time now the Jap rifles were in poor shape due to corrosion and rust.  Many would not fire.  They evidently had little or no cleaning and preservative materials.  We had to really spend a lot of time each day to keep our weapons serviceable.  Cannibalism first reported here, and it  it would soon become very common.  The Japs were not the only ones whose shoes were cut up.  Our boots and shoes also were cut up.

“One platoon left area to patrol enemy bivouac areas, contacted enemy and returned.”

 Preparing to go back to Namber Drome.  Every so often our wet, filthy fatigues would fall apart.  They brought us a new pair at last once, or we would have been naked.  They would not last much more than a week.

"D" Co’s outpost killed Sup. Pvt. North of our perimeter.  Another wounded-----(illegible)---."

"Communication from 158th.  They will recco vicinity hills 390 and 385.  Another patrol to vicinity West of Bawe.  They killed six."

"G" Company reports killing 2 more at above spot.  Capture 1 Sgt and 1 Formosan."

"A carrier party arrived at G Co, with additional chow.  It was dispatched from Inasi 2 hrs ago."

"The 3rd BN will not arrive at Inasi till tomorrow, Aug, 2nd.  The 2nd Bn will move back to Namber, less "E" and "F" tomorrow.  "D" Co. leaves at 1000 hr with Bn C.P., Hq. Co. at 1030 hr.   Company will be relieved at its base today by "I" Company, and will proceed to Namber this afternoon.  Lt. Roberts, "F" Co C.O. is happiest man in 2nd Bn today.  A radiogram from 6th Army requests all O’s and EM on July quota who are going home on 30 day furlough, to be ready to go today.  Lt. McRoberts is only 2nd Bn person to leave.  Our June and July rotation quotas are still with us.  Priority is given to those choosing to this theatre.  Lt. McRoberts departure coincided with the first issue of beer in the S.W.P.A.  The 503rd has been anticipating this event for 21 months.”  As will be pointed out Lt. McRoberts was not the only person, officer or enlisted man, from "F" Company to make the furlough list.

“Score since leaving Namber Drome July 12th.  Japs killed 236  Captured 33 mostly Formosans.  Our losses 9 killed 15 wounded."

"Hq Co patrol saw 1 and killed him.  No rank, armed with grenades, had pack full of food, canned Jap chow, extra clothes."

"Sgt. Garrett killed one at (87.6-54.7) not armed."

"Lt. Whitson’s patrol killed one at (87.0-56.2), had grenades, in poor physical shape."

"S/Sgt. Roberts killed one of two at (87.0-56.2) had grenades."

"P.O. Sgt, brought into C.P. tried suicide."

"F" Co is already at Namber.  Tomorrow morning Bn C.P., Hq C.P. and "D" Co go to Namber.  "E" Co will stay at Inasi till Fri and will then go to Mandori on patrol till further notice.  3rd Battalion will arrive tomorrow.  Score:  Japs killed 240   Captured 33  Our losses 9 killed  15 wounded."

"E" Company patrol that went out to locate two bodies, found them missing.  The equipment was found on the ground, slashed to uselessness, but no bodies.  Lt. Meade is going with a platoon this A.M. to recover bodies of D Co men.  It will take two days round trip.”

“4 Officers and 77 EM KIA with 3 EM captured.  Co. suffered casualties of 2 Officers and 3 Enlisted Men KIA and 2 EM WIA.”

“Sergeant Watson was wounded on July 24 and received the Purple Heart award on August 1, 1944.  The company returned to the Namber Air Strip and Lt. Clyde assumed command.”

Moved back to Namber Drome.  We set up in the hills at the northeast end of the drome.  The Japanese had built excellent defensive positions here.  They had bunkers connected by trenches.  Vines were tied to stakes as guides for night movement.  In a cave behind the hill was a large amount of equipment.  There was fur lined clothing and knapsacks with animal hair still attached to the outside of the sacks.  They had snafu’s too.

What a relief to have fires at night and smoke anytime you wanted to.  Some of the first smokes lasted all night.  We had our first baths since leaving Inasi Village.  That was 16 July.  After we bathed we itched.  It was irritating.  Our skin was even red as from a rash.  Then, too, the flies tried to eat us up.  They had not been particularly noticeable before we bathed.  When you get too dirty for flies you are dirty.  It really took a couple of days to get used to being clean.  There were big springs at the base of the hill near the coast, so water was plentiful.

The first night, or there about, a lone Jap twin engine Betty Bomber flew up the strip as passed near us.  It dropped no bombs and fired no guns.  We could plainly see the pilots face because a light was on in the cockpit.  This was the only Jap plane I saw during the entire Noemfoor operation.

We now found out more about what happened to "D" and "E" Companies.  "D" Company had been sent on patrol with the intentions of going directly from Inasi Village to Hill 670 following an azimuth.  Joe Whitson’s 1st platoon of "E" Company was sent on a patrol north to Ridge 200 area.  He reported a large enemy bivouac area there.  McCaffery’s platoon from "E" Company was out on patrol, so Capt. Sam Smith took Luscomb’s platoon north to join Whitson’s force.  After an hour he was passing over a steep, heavily wooded hill on the trail we had twice used.  This area appeared dangerous to us.  A large enemy force struck Smith’s force in the rear.  Then an enemy force attacked his front.  He was surrounded.  All the fighting elements of the 2nd Battalion were in the field.  All other friendly forces were on their own missions in other parts of the island.  Whitson was ordered to return down the trail to Inasi Village to relieve the Smith force.  Lt. Meade was ordered to return from his position near Hill 670 and go to the relief of E Company. Whitson’s force was ambushed coming out of the garden area. 

According to what Joe Whitson told me, there were eleven Japs in the force that attempted to ambush his platoon.  The scouts spotted the ambush on the right side of the trail and passed the word back.  On Joe’s signal the men of his platoon wheeled and charged into the Japs, firing.  They killed nine Japs with two escaping.  Whitson killed the last Jap himself, tearing up his carbine in the process.  When Joe jumped over a low embankment the Jap crouching behind it grabbed him around the legs hanging on with one hand and pounded a grenade on the ground with the other hand trying to arm the grenade.  Evidently he intended to kill Whitson along with himself.  During this time Joe is battering the Jap in the head with butt strokes from his carbine.  I never did like these light toys and usually carried an M-1 rifle.  Some of Joe’s men gathered and watched the show which did not amuse Joe.  Finally they dispatched the Jap.  Joe’s carbine stock was completely splintered.  He ended up beating the Jap with the barrel.

This ambush defense was exactly as taught in the Australian Jungle Warfare School.  It was a classic example of what the Aussies meant that when facing a well-trained and alert force, the ambushers have the disadvantage.  On account of the presence of more enemy troops in the area Whitson’s force had to proceed with caution and was unable to effect a speedy relief of Smith’s forces.

In the meantime "D" Company started straight across country to Smith’s relief.  As they started up a hill 15-20  Japs entrenched  on top of the hill opened fire.  2nd Lt. Long led a charge to take the position and was killed along with Pvt. Lee.  The hour was late so the company withdrew and bivouacked for the night.  At dawn they attacked the Jap position.  The Japs were ready and waiting.  1st Lt. Vandivort  and Sgt. Ray Eubanks were killed, however, Eubanks had taken the position single-handedly, but he was killed.  There were twenty-three dead Japs in the position.  Eubanks had picked up a BAR and charged up the kill firing until the trigger mechanism was shot off the BAR.  He then used the bar as a club.  When the action was over the Japs including a machinegun crew were dead.  The tragic part was that Sgt. Eubanks died too.

Back to Sam Smith’s trapped unit, they had dug in for the night with their bare hands and steel helmets.  Due to the coral and difficulty of digging there were very few entrenching tools being carried.  They were extra, cumbersome baggage.  To everyone’s amazement and great relief the Japs unaccountably withdrew about 09:30 the next morning.  They counted twenty dead Japs in the heavy brush around their position.  Pfc Toupal was KIA.  Pvt Frinswald was missing, and Cpl Alfred was wounded.

È

"Breakfast!  The area will be thoroughly policed, cans buried, latrines covered and move out by 1000 hr."

"Bn C.P. with "D" Co left Inasi; Hq Co followed at 1/2 hr. intervals.

"Passed Maj. Erickson with 3rd Bn on track.  They will occupy Inasi."

"Arrived at Namber strip.  The boat from Oro Bay with all Reg’l equipment did not arrive at Noemfoor yet, and 2nd Bn will assume perimeter defense on Namber, evacuated by 3rd Bn because of poor warning system.  The entire personnel of Reg’t is sleeping in slit trenches.  A Jap plane buzzed the strip two nights ago but didn’t fire a shot or bomb.  It did get an oil dump at Kamiri."

"The 2nd Bn kitchen served its first meal since we left Ebli Plantation, Hollandia.  The mess section did an admirable job in the field delivering rations, coordinating native carrying parties, and the numerous duties necessary to keep a combat Bn equipped in the field."

 What a nice, quiet day.  When we landed and saw the area it was so desolate.  The trees were scarred by shells and bombs.  What a change.  Now after three weeks in the rain forestit was beautiful.  Quiet and peaceful.  We heard and then saw black panthers around the area.  We heard they had been brought in by Japanese troops who picked them up on the Malayan Peninsula and kept hem as mascots. 

"Meals are served at 0730; 1200; 1700 hrs.  The 2nd Bn will maintain its perimeter, and get some well-deserved rest."

"All our June and July men requesting furloughs to the U.S. under rotation plane will be gone by Saturday 5 August.  No word has been received on June and July quota to return under straight rotation.  We are 2 Mo’s behind."

"Lt. McCaffery, senior 1st Lt. in Reg’t appointed C.O. of "E" Co in absence of Lt. McRoberts who departed 2 days ago on leave to U.S.” 

Obviously the above company is "F" Company.

“Ordinance truck repaired all 2nd Bn. weapons at Namber.  Our B.A.R. were particularly needing repair.  Most of them would only fire one shot.” 

BAR failures were very common and during these periodic ordnance maintenance visits these guns were always needing repair.

"There will be a movie tonight in Reg’t area, "Pardon My Sarong". 

Our first since Hollandia.

"The Bn has 9 pyramidal tents and are being distributed to Co’s mess, and Bn C.P. and aid station."

Sleeping, eating, and enjoying ourselves.  Lt. McRoberts, Lt. LaVanchure, Sgt. Wuertz, Sgt Baker, Sgt Johnson, and S/Sgt John R Philips were in the group who left to go home on thirty days furloughs.  Baker must have developed medical problems, because he never returned.  Our new commanding officer is the ex from "E" Company.  He is Lt. “Rabbit”, “Greenhornet” McCaffery.  We cleaned up an area for pyramidal tents to be set up if they ever come in by ship.

Laborers were coming in everyday to surrender.  They’d come to our position on the north east end of the strip with their hands held high and yelling “me Taiwan.”  We’d point down the strip and motion for them to keep going.  The stockade for laborers was at the southeast corner of the strip.  It was an area surrounded by two or three strands of barbed wire loosely attached to post. 

 It was not built to hold people.  The purpose was to mark the area off.  The laborers were very happy to be there and were not going anywhere.  Beside a well-built fence might have kept some out.  Many times there were more occupants in the morning than there were the day and night before.

We had some work details, but they gave us lots of time off to rest and recuperate.  There were some movies at night.  We had jungle hammocks which made sleeping much easier.

"Improvement of our emplacements and deepening of slit  trenches to accommodate hammocks will occupy the day.  At a C.O.’s meeting Col. Britten stressed a clean camp and good latrines as a necessity for sanitation and healthy bivouac area."

"Our Bn transportation is nil.  A Re’l truck fills our water trailer 3 times a day, which suffices a small fresh water pool is the only bathing facility, at North end of strip.  Some Co’s walk ¾ mi to wash.

"It rained heavily 4 or 5 hrs every day the coral absorbs all water rapidly."

"Six Formosans recovered by F Co at North end of strip."

"A Regiment area has been designated at revetment area South of drome.  The area is in bad shape, logs, trees, underbrush, etc.  The Japs cut the large trees down in their initial work at that stage."

“2 Aug. 1944  Left Inasi Village, Noemfoor Island 1000 hr.  Arrived at Namber Drome, Noemfoor 1400 hr.  Pitched camp.”

“Lt McCaffery assumed command August 4.”

È

 "Hq Co. is grubbing the new area this morning.  "D" Co will work at it this afternoon, and "F" Co Monday morning.  We are attempting to give the men a much needed rest in between shifts.  "E" Co is still at Mandori for an indefinite stay."

"Cleaning of weapons and equipment, washing clothes occupy the time of the Co’s not working on new area."