0700 hr |
Pvt. Girtman
treated for shrapnel wound.
|
Capt. Lamar later decided he’d just skinned himself.
|
0700 hr |
Lt. Howard
established that Cpl Westberry walked into his own gun.
|
He had supervised the setting up of the gun after “suspicious” movements
and sounds were observed ahead. Then he had gone forward. Pvt.
Crabb, one of his gunners, saw him move and let him have it.
|
0700 hr |
Rucker
(Nearest Plat of Co D at AJ) to Padgett, S-3, I have no radio contact with
anyone. No contact w/ company. I have patrolled and am
continuing to patrol trails. |
0700 hr |
Est. enemy
thirty w/ auto weapons repted at “A” by CO Co F at “CD”. Co F
directed to cover trails “DC-AT” and “CD-AU”. Capt. Grecco on rec.
from “EX” to AL to AH to AJ 0700, a patrol od 12 men (1st Sgt. Hostinsky)
AL to CD 0700 hr Lt. Bossard w/ 12 man AL to AM to AX to rept to Co
E 0715. D Co Hqs movg. AB to Ac 0730 village NE of
A________ signs of recent evac. Lt. Bossard msg to Co E “Take pos as
directed” AX AW AVBF route of Bossard to Booby Trap. |
0700 hr |
CO 2nd to
all Co’s are any others missing.
|
The adjutant’s cry for a casu rept.
|
0740 hr |
F Co to CO
2nd BN. repeat infro in re to next pos we were to occupy to date
what dispos of seven natives captured by us. Request resupply
grenades, LMG ammo and one mortar comp. Are you sending any one for
captured Jap equip? A patrol is investigating enemy vicin of XX AT |
0758 hr |
S-1 Bn to
CO’s D, E, F send Co runners to Al rept to Sgt Creveling.
|
The Companies, in action as in practice, adhered to the idea that
they were gaining a man by not sending one to the Bn Msg Cen.
|
0800 hr |
Co 2nd
Bn to CO F, evacuate natives to Heat (Bn CP) will get resupply LMG
ammo and notify when we have done so. |
0745 hr |
Pvt.
Snipes, Pvt. Davis FRAL to Rucker AJ.
|
Capt. Padgett’s scouts and observers.
|
0800 hr |
Fr Co F to
CO 2nd Bn send disp of our Co.
|
This is an effect of the habitual control of small units by higher
commanders. Lt. Parks, who has seen the ground, is asking someone
who hasn’t where to place his platoons. He knows that if he places
them himself he will be ordered to move them later. So he is asking
for a map placement.
|
0800 hr |
Panel
placed at Gabsonkek
|
The panel is a signal for
aerial resupply
|
|
Priority Unit |
No |
Co |
|
1 LMG AM |
1 |
Hall (Co
F) |
|
2
Batteries |
1 |
Heat (Bn
CP) |
|
3
Defense |
3 |
Halo (Co
E) |
|
4
SCR-284 |
1 |
Heat |
|
0912 hr |
Co D to CO
2nd Bn. We are at AC |
0825 hr |
Pvt. Watson
Co I jd Bn 1630 5 Sept 43:
at AL
and left 0825 6 Sept 43:. Route intended A1 AN AP Hq Bd BG.
|
This is what the Australians call a control mag. All units through
which the man must pass are notified.
|
0830 hr |
Plane
dropped supplies 0900. COLAFF Co D, treated for GSW. |
0830 hr |
Regt Comdr
to 2nd Bn CO take part of 2nd Bn and salvage all equip and chutes.
|
The Regtl Comdr is now assuming that since he has seen no enemy, there
probably aren’t any.
|
0930 hr |
Lt. Ross
and Lt. Snook, Lt. Ross fr jmpd art. (Austr) arrived at Gabsonkek
for Dy. as liason Officer w/ Bn- ARR w/ 286 which contacted the Arty. Hq. |
0832 hr |
Co E to CO
2nd Bn we want our three resupply bundles. Lt. Snook is w/ Aust.
2/2 Pioneers who effected crossing of Irap River 1400 hr ARR AT W AF about
1730 hr. and contacted Regt. p/2 pioneer under Col. Lang has also
approx 900 natives. Could give no estimate as to time nec to make
field landable. The 2/2 used a bridge built by 2/6 Eng. Co (Aust) of
holding boats under Capt. Dumphry. |
0850 hr |
Lt. Cole
and Lt. Jacomini left w/ party to go back to man w/ broken leg near jump
field.
|
Capt. Lamar says it’s this sort of thing that ruins the medic’s
reputation, he had an aid man staying w/ the man all night.
|
0855 hr |
Five
natives captured by Co F, arrived at Gabson CP (they are smoking Jap
cigarettes). Lt. Snook of Engr. interviewed them
|
Lt. Snook is a character who makes an impression on everyone who meets
him. Not big, but of that Australian wiryness, he’s an unheralded
Lawrence of Arabia whose business is recruiting natives by his own means
to work for the Australian Army. He travels light and fast and often
alone or with no more than a couple of native gun bearers.
(see –913)
|
0900 hr |
Captured*
Jap equipment sent by Co F to Bn CP: 1 blanket, 1 knee mortar, 1 helmet, 1
shelter half, 1 field glass, container shaped billycan, 2 water jugs, 5
clips of 303 DC 41 V112 ammo, several books and logs both in Jap and
German. Medicine bottles- Atabrine, plasmquine, quinine.
|
*ie abandoned
|
0900 hr |
S/Sgt.
Getz Co A, jd 1700 hr 5 Sept, Pvt. Caldwell left for 1st Bn 0900. |
0905 hr |
Lt. Snook
was in this area several years ago. |
0906 hr |
Co D to CO
2nd Bn. No missing in action, no casualties. |
0906 hr |
Co F to CO
2nd Bn none missing in action no casualties. |
0910 hr |
Co E to CO
2nd Bn, No MIA no Cas. |
0913 hr |
Native say
no Jap in Nadzab or Gabsonkek area. The Yalu natives tell them that
there (are) Japs between Yalu and Ekkovka plantation “A lot” which may
mean 10 or 1000. Most friendly-recommend they be evac through PW
channels Lt. Snook will take them w/ him to where the rest are
hiding in the bush. This reported to 2nd Engr. 2/6 Eng left
0930. |
0925 hr |
CO 2nd Bn
to CO 2/2nd Pioneers (Thru Regt) Lt. Snook left Gabsonkek forward
toward Yalu w/ 5 natives to bring on all Gabsonkek natives. |
0930 hr |
Pvt. Drew,
Pvt. Lee, Pvt. Calla, jd 0830 had not yet seen Co. left for Co D 0935.
|
Note the rept of Co D at 0906- no missing in action.
|
0930 hr |
Lt. Ross
left for Co E. |
0930 hr |
CO 2nd Bn
to Regt Collaff GSW tr at 0700, evac, Elvelth Co D, broken shoulder, evac,
Synkowsky Co F left on jump field w/ broken tibia. Seal Co D, broken
ankle not yet evacuated. Fisher Co D Left on jump field, exhaustion. |
0945 hr |
Faulkner
and Lt. Shell of Aust Arty AR FR Arty CP and left for area of 3rd Bn |
0950 hr |
Cpl.
Westberry wounded last night evacuated by patrol and 3 natives. |
0956 hr |
Co E to CO
2nd Bn Resupply us w/ anti personnel mines, also 4000 rds LMG ammo drop at
3rd Bn area let us know if we can expect it. |
1000 hr |
CO 2nd to
CO D, Drew, Lee, Calla left for Co 0935. |
1020 hr |
1st.
Sgt. Hq 2nd to CO 2nd none missing in action from mortar and com. No
report Lt. Howard, Cpl. Westberry casualties.
|
1 LMG section under Lt. Howard was attached to Co E, the other under Lt.
Grant was with Co F. Hq. Co 2nd, always late on everything in
garrison, was no better in action.
|
1025 hr |
Lt. Luscomb
arrived w/ 19 men from Co E on route to look for initial drop bundle. |
1035 hr |
CO 2nd Bn
to regt Cpl. Westberry Hq 2nd GSW Evelth Co D broken shoulder,
Colaff Co D GSW evac to Regt. Synkowsky Co F left on jump field w/
broken tibia. Seal Co D left on jump field, exhaust Pvt.
Girtman Co D shrapnel wound not evac. |
1050 hr |
S-3 Regt to CO 2nd Bn Regt disposed as follows: 3d Bn in
pos as sched 1st Bn was working on strip at 1530 hr 5 Sept 43:
2/2 Pioneer Bn arrived by 1730 hr 5 Sept 43:. All were working
on strip and 7th Div has been notified that planes can now land,
Regt’l CP AT C Aid stat little enemy activity. Signed at 0918. |
1100 hr |
Blum left
w/ 1 man w/ Lt. Ross going forward. |
1110 hr |
CO 2nd to
CO Co E, contact Lt. Howard for casu rpt on LMG plat particularly has Pvt.
Parker been located. |
1120 hr |
1st
Sgt. Guy arrived from Co D - D Co is starting to salvage
equipment-missing in action Sgt. Himmelburger, Carter, seen on grd, Berger
not seen since jump Co D 1st platoon Co D near Mac’s camp killed one
native w/ booby trap during the night, and are going to bury at Mac’s
jump.
|
The native had evidently been a resident of Mac’s Camp and had come back
to see what was up. He had been carrying a spear. Had hit the
first booby trap line and then the second. He let out a deathly
scream that kept the whole platoon shivering in their fox holes till dawn.
|
1123 hr |
CO 2nd to
D, F Have you sent a detail to salvage equipment as yet, if not do
so. |
1130 hr |
Lt.
McNerney arrived from Co CP enroute to 2nd Plat left 1140. |
1130 hr |
Bossert to
CO 2nd thru Co E I am at AX cannot send carrying party to you, can
you drop on 3d Bn resupply area, if not I will continue on patrol mission
only. |
1130 hr |
Co D to CO
2nd Can we booby trap at night? CO 2nd to CO D. ask later.
|
Lt. Col. Jones had just heard about the killed native and it does not
please him at all.
|
1140 hr |
Lt. Howard
to CO 2nd No casu in 1st LMG contact, Grant w/ Co F for RPT on 2nd Sect. |
1155 hr |
CO 2nd to
Bossert thru CO Co E, request for AP mines forwarded to regt by runner if
possible will be dropped on 3d Bn Cp. |
1159 hr |
Co E to CO
2nd the next time a party comes this way have them bring 50 yds w-130*.
|
*booby trapping wire.
|
1230 hr |
Lt. Bibb
left w/ 10 man detail on chute salvage. |
1231 hr |
Aust Arty
fired 2 rounds to East. |
1255 hr |
Pvt.
Baltivik broke toes on jump. left at “D” (BN Surg) |
1300 hr |
radio
contact with Co D lost |
1300 hr |
9 defence
bundles dropped by B-17’s so far this AM. |
1300 hr |
CO Co D to
Co 2nd Martini MIA, Cpl Hine, Pfc Minor, Pvt Martin, Pvt Lynch, MIA. |
1305 hr |
Patrol sent
out by Lt. Blum (2 men Co D) returned route K-1-N-R-AH-AF-AD (log road)
AD AH HL- no enemy sighted. There are living chickens (6) in Macs
Camp- left out for Macs Camp 1310. |
1305 hr |
CO 2nd to
Hq 2nd, D, E, and F, seventh Aust. Div. has been notified 0918 that planes
may land on Nadzap strip notify men. |
1322 hr |
CO 2nd to
CO Regt. Case report Pvt Baltivik Co F broke toes on jump not yet
evac put Steinborn Co F boarded plane 0700 5 Sept 43: ABCESS ILIAC, Pvt
Martin Hq 2nd Cpl Hame, Pfc Minor, Pvt Martin Pvt Lynch MIA, Pvt Parker Hq
2nd MIA. |
1330 hr |
Co D to CO
2nd plat rear K w/ patrol 2000 yds E of AB also patrols 250 yds NW
of K 3rd Plat AT AC w/ patrols 500 yds SW of K 2nd plat not reported end. |
1340 hr
|
Co F to CO
2nd Bn the enemy reported at At have left our disposition is as follows.
1st plat in pos vic of AU they have recon patrols AU east to BF 2nd plat
is in pos 1000 yds E at AT, 3d plat is in pos between AG and AE CP is in
vic of CD. All platoons have patrols recon 1 mile to their front.
We have one outpost near AK. |
1350 hr |
CO 2nd to
CO Co E. Have you contacted 3rd Bn end. |
1400 hr |
Co E to CO
2nd Bn have contacted 3d Bn. |
1418 hr |
Lt. Luscomb
rtn fr jump field w/ 18 men found mortar 81 bundle and own bundles.
Left on main trail beyond F. Left for Co E 1440 hour. |
1425 hr |
CO 2nd to
Co E, has Greco been there? |
1427 hr |
S/Sgt.
Simon missing in action. |
1440 hr |
Lt. Col.
Jones left for Co E at AX (w/ Cpl. Dulaney) |
1445 hr |
Lt. Snook
to CO Regt thru 2nd Bn- Relay to CO Aust troops have contacted five
Gabsonkek natives contact me thru USA troops at Henry. (Co D). |
1500 hr |
Co D to CO
2nd 1st and 2nd plat will booby trap tonight. Co 2nd to Co D, Lt.
Rucker will not repeat will not booby trap tonight. |
1500 hr |
An Aust
from the air strip arrived w/ 20 native carriers to evac wounded (He came
in five days from Tsilli-Tsilli the adv supply base) |
1515 hr |
Co E to CO 2nd are there any water cooled MG there? CP to
Co E. No water cooled guns here. |
1530 hr |
Cpl. Meeks was injured on jump never arrived in camp. |
1600 hr |
Native carriers evac Pvt. Seal Co D, Pvt Carter Co D, fr MIA to
Evac. |
1525 hr |
Lt. Cole w/ Sgt. Shaw, reported in fr jump field. Pvt.
Synkowsky w/ broken leg and Sgt. Himmelberger w/ heat exhaustion were evac
to point D.
|
The mission for today was to find the equipment which had been
in the initial drop bundles. Very few initial drop bundles were even
seen after the jump and only a very small part of the equipment therein
moved toward the objective with the Bn. Lt. Cole’s mission:
Find Pvt. Parker whose chute did not open. |
|
|