15 - 21 JULY 1945
15 July 1945
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PHASE X
15 July 1945 |
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0700 |
Nil activity
during the hours of darkness. |
0830 |
"D" Co
patrol returned and made the following report: When "D" Co was crossing
river at (15.3-23.3). They observed five (5) enemy on the opposite side
. Patrol opened fire and wounded one enemy. Wounded enemy committed
HARI-KARI when patrol approached. Wounded enemy who committed HARI-KARI
was carrying new enemy carbine and sixty rouds of ammo, and was a rated
naval man. Patrol continued on approx 3 Km SW and reported
all
native huts evacuated and no sign of enemu activity. Patrol was unable
to reach air strike area due to elapse of time. Patrol attempted tp
recross river at (15.3-23.3) where they loss (lost) two men by drowning
due to the dangerous current of the river. Patrol was unable to recross
and remained in this position during the hours of darkness and returned
at 150815I.
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0930 |
Message sent
to see if train left this position. |
0935 |
Lt Presher
with one rifle platoon, one mortar platoon, one LMG section left at
150800I to investigate area where twelve (12) enemy were killed
yesterday at (17.2-24.4) and if possible to push on past this area.
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1000 |
Total enemy
casualties from 131200I to 150800I is 27 KIA- 1 POW- 5 Civilians.Our
casualties from 131200I to 150800 is: 2 WIA - 3 KIA. |
1200 |
Train
arrived an began moving "F" Co to BUGANG. "F" Co to establish CP at
(17.5-22.5) and will send out
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(There is a page
missing)
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"Lt
Gifford, Lt Watkins and ten men returned to the perimeter at 0730. At
0900 the 1st plt under Lt. Mara and the 3d pit. under Lt Watkins, left
the perimeter at 0800, crossed the Himaagon River, and proceeded into S.
Bago area. The 1st platoon in the lead surprised two Japs and opened
fire but the enemy escaped. The patrol returned at 1700."
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"7-15-45
1st and 4th platt with L.M.G. patrolled 2 mile to the S.E. 1 Nip
KIA."
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"Company
moved by train to Bugand (sic) Lumber Camp & set up perimeter. Boarded train
at 1545 & arrived at lumber camp one hour later. After arriving there,
sent small recon parties out to feel out the area. Patrol returned with
reports from civilians that Japs were living in houses on other side of
camp. Patrols were sent out to investigate & found no enemy."
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16 July 1945
PHASE X
16 July 1945 |
"16 July
1945, 1030- 5000 surrender leaflets dropped on Bago and Malapasoc area.
"F" Company patrol, Lt. Whiting and 21 men." |
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1800 |
" At 161315I
patrol broke contact due to enemy fire. Patrol returned at 161500I. |
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E Co
activities: At 160830I Lt West one platoon left Bn CP with mission to
patrol to the NORTH and recco area WEST of raillines, between railline
on HIMAGAAN RIVER. At approx 161030I at (14.3-24.7) patrol killed one
enemy armed with bayonet only. At approx 161230I vicinity (14.1-25.0)
patrol found one enemy dead floating in a stream. Had been dead two
days. Patrol returned to taillines at (14.8-26.0) re-turned SOUTH along
tracks to Bn CP at 161600I. Second patrol sent out fro "E" Co at
161000I. Lt Loehr with one platoon and one LMG section left CP mission
patrol two miles
SE. Patrol reached (17.5-24.2). Reported nil enemy activity no sign of
enemy. Filipinos
still in area. patrol returned at 161545I." |
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D Co
activities: At 160830I Lt Gifford two rifle platoons, ome mortar
platoon, ome LMG platoon with mission tto patrol BAGO area. Patrol
proceeded SOUTH on track to MINOG BRIDGE (15.9-23.4) turned WEST crossed
HIMAGAAN R. at (15.5-23.0) proceeded into BAGO area. At 161430I at
(14.8-22.7) sighted two enemy. Patrol opened
fire fire after searching area
no bodies could be found. Enemy was well dresses ans armed with carbine.
Patrol returned at 161700I and did not reach air strike area. |
1830 |
Plan to make
recco flight of BAGO area and MALAPASOC will also drop surrender
leaf-lets in these areas by Bn S-2." |
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"7-16-45
Local patrols by 2nd and 3rd plat. 1 Nip KIA."
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First platoon
left company CP at 1630 to investigate house supposedly occupied by
Japs. Returned at 1600hr with no activity reported. Third platoon left
company CP at 1600 hr. to recon area of Malapasoc. On way ran into
scattered groups of Japs. Reaching Festinato, an assault was made &
nineteen enemy soldiers were killed.. Patrol destroyed food, equipment,
& eighteen rifles. Patrol returned at 1600 hr. with no casualties." The
return hours on both patrols above are at or before the time of
departure. probably they both left around 1800 or 0830.. despite all the
patrolling, no one had yet been to Minapasoc, or Malapasoc, or Miopasoc-
take your pick like Bugang or Bugand. It was felt that this lumber camp
town was a Jap base of operations." |
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17 July 1945
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0730 |
Nil enemy activity during the hours of darkness. |
0745 |
The password for 161800I to 170800I is MARY-ANN. |
0900 |
Lt Presher
with one rifle platoon, one section LMG left Co CP at 170830I with
mission of overnight patrol to
thoroughly recco SAGO area and air strike area. |
1200 |
D Co moved
out by rail cars to (15.9-23.4) MIANOG BRIDGE and establish CP at
1712001. 1430 F Co Sgt Santoy patrol
killed one enemy at 170900I patrol consisted of one squad at(17.8-22.4).
Enemy had been wounded in previous action. At 171000I killed one
enemy(17.2-22.2). At 1711301 approx (16.4-20.4) Lt Calhoun patrol moved
in behind 81mm mortar barrage captured the shacks occupied by enemy
yesterday. Encountered three enemy, killed one believe wounded two. Only
three bodies of yesterdays enemy killed remained in the area. Patrol
'returned at 1714001. Total three enemy killed, one by
civilians. |
1800 |
Scooter arrived back from FABRICA at 1745 hr. |
1845 |
Lt Presher returned and made the following report: Patrol obtained the
information
from
Filipino civilians that there was 5,000 enemy troops back in the BAGO
area. Our patrol believed the
report was highly exagerated
(sic). Patrol continue(d) on mission
but encountered a group of eight armed enemy and also observed two
groups of enemy approx 30 to 40 in each. |
1900 |
Arrangements
being made to place heavy concentration of artillery in the BAGO area.
Lt Presher to make cub fight of area in the morning." |
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"The Co. moved appr. 400 yds. on the logging train."
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"4-17-45 1st platt. patroled across Himugaan R. to Camp Bago area.
Spotted several groups of Japs. Made no physical contact. Returned 1900
hr." |
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"First & second platoons with 81mm attached left CP at 1700 hr. to
assault Malapasoc. arriving there saw much evidence of occupancy & laid
in 81mm mortars, the patrol then made the assault & 1 enemy soldier was
killed. We suffered no casualties. At 1330 hr. the patrol returned to
the company CP. Four men investigated a report of one Jap in civilian
camp. Native brought in head of Jap caught stealing food." |
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Battalion ordered me to take a combat patrol consisting of two rifle
platoons, one machine gun platoon, one 81mm mortar, and our 60mm mortar
platoon and attack Malapasoc, killing any enemy there. I took the 1st
and 2d platoons, the 3d LMG platoon attached to "F" Company, the "F" Company
mortar platoon, and one 81mm mortar section. There were several smaller
sections also attached, such as flame throwers and demolitions. We left
at 0700 riding on flat cars, on an ILCO logging train. I had the train stop
about a mile before we reached Malapasoc in order to seek to surprise
the enemy in the camp.
We walked quietly along the tracks, and as we
neared Malapasoc we could see a high hill on the left side of the
tracks. The line curved around the base of this hill swinging in a wide
arc to the right. The road bed of the rail line was higher than the camp
being cut into the base of the hill. Before we got to the hill I sent a
squad on ahead to climb the hill and protect our flank. The hill was
heavily wooded, so this took some time. As soon as the squad was in
position we moved on along the tracks. There it was, a large camp laid
out in blocks with rows and rows of small houses made of unplaned lumber
filling the plain between the tracks and the river, which was perhaps
three hundred yards away. The houses were roofed with wooden, split
shingles. The windows were covered with hinged planks just as. were the
doors. These were the rough cut prefabricated house I described above
which were taken apart and moved on flat cars. The houses were on stilts
several feet above the ground. Even so, we were still
were
slightly above the roof tops so that we could see out across the several
hundred houses.
We quietly went into position along the railroad tracks, and when
our LMG's, mortars, BAR's, and riflemen were in place, we opened up on
signal. A little movement had been seen among the buildings as we went
into position. Our fire was devastating, and we shot up the
camp. After a heavy barrage one rifle platoon moved out in an assault
across the camp. We found nothing until we reached the far side of the
camp near the river. There lay a dead Jap which our fire had killed. We
felt sure the Japs had been here' probably a considerable force. They probably moved out on our approach. Any still there ran
for the river when we opened up. One unlucky straggler got hit. We patrolled
the hills above the river valley and down the tracks another mile south,
but saw no signs of the enemy. We had been slow getting in position
while the rifle squad worked its way up the hill to protect our flank,
but that was something that had to be done. We had accomplished our
mission, so we walked back to the train and returned to the company
perimeter at Bugang.
I was told that later when the company and the battalion moved to
Malapasoc that the
roofs leaked like seives due to our shoot 'em up. They said it rained everyday, too. |
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19 July 1945
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0730 |
" Nil activity during the hours of darkness. |
0900 |
At
190830 D co sent two rifle platoons, one LMG platoon to investigate
vicinity (14.0-22.0) mission to recto that area and observe effects of
artillery barrage. Patrol will remain in BAGO area overnight. |
1000 |
Train
arrived from Fabrica with beer issue. |
1200 |
Patrol, one
platoon, that was sent out from "F" Co to recco rail line spurs SOUTH
report nil activity.
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1400 |
E Co bring held in reserve for "D" Co. |
1700 |
Patrol sent
out from F Co at 1300 hr returned at 1600 hr reported nil enemy
activity, Recco area SE & SW along
rail line.
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1800 |
The password for 191800I to 200800I is: LAUGHING-BOX. |
1830 |
Artillery interdicktory
(sic) fire was used at 182300I. |
1845 |
The password
for 191800 to 200800 is: LAUGHING-BOY. |
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"At 0939
the CO, Lt Gifford, the 1st plt under Lt. Mara, the 2d plat under Lt.
Ward, and one LMG section crossed the Himaagon River and moved to the S
Bago area. Two enemy were fired upon but escaped. One Jap 1st Lt was
found in a hut and killed. Patrol set up perimeter at 1600."
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"At 0830,
third platoon moved out on combat patrol with radio communications. One
squad plus radio section set up strong point at Malapesco. Two squads
proceeded to Yaningan Creek. No enemy encountered. Patrol returned at
1600 hr." |
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20 July 1945
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0730 |
Nil
activity during the hours of darkness. |
0830 |
At
200815I one platoon E Co and one LMG section, Lt Loehr, patrol leader,
left Co CP with mission to recco area vicinity (15.5-21.5). |
0930 |
One
platoon, F Co, Lt Whiting patrol leader, left Co CP with the mission to
patrol YAMINGAN CREEK at 200825I. |
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"Patrol
returned to Co. perimeter at 1030. No more enemy contacted."
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21 July 1945
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1130 |
" Recd report
that Lt Sharp was KIA while on
cub
flight with Lt Albritton. Full particulars unknown." |
1500
(Back up to
21 July. 22 had been crossed out and 21 inserted). |
The
one (10 plat patrol from Dog Co accomplished its mission and, reported
nil enemy
activity. In vicinity of (14.8-23.35) the patrol recovered the body of
one of our boys who drowned crossing the river a few days ago. The
identity is unknown at present. The Easy Co patrol under Lt Presher
reports nil enemy activity in the Bago area.
The patrol thoroughly searched where the air strikes took place and
found nothing but craters. The patrol will remain there tonight and
tomorrow will search out the area where the arty barrage was laid in. A
Fox Co patrol under Lt Beck accomplished its mission and reported nil
enemy activity. The patrol returned at 211400 hr. Tomorrow, the
companies will send local security patrols out. |
1535 |
At
200830 Lt Ward's patrol left CP to search Bago area. At 201000I
(14.45-22.05) patrol killed one (1) enemy (1st Lt) in hut. One Jap
carbine was captured and destroyed. Patrol returned at 201200I. |
1535 |
At
200800I Lt Boykin and one (1) plat left "E" Co CP and went South to
(16.25-22.3) then went southwest to (15.8-12.8) Patrol tried to find
suitable crossing point. Patrol returned to "E" Co CP. at 201400I. Nil
enemy activity. |
1545 |
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Lt Whiting's patrol left "F" Co CP at 200830 and patrolled Malapasoc
area. Civilians reported one hundred
and eighty (180) Japs in that vic but patrol reported nil findings.
Patrol then went west to Yamingan Ck. Nil activity reported. Patrol
returned at 201530I.
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[Note: The Filipino civilians would report
substantial numbers of Japs in their areas so that we would send in
troops. This would protect the civilians against Jap foragers, and
roving bands of so-called guerrillas who were little more than outlaws
and brigands.]
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1545 |
Dog
Co on 21 Jul 45 one plat is to patrol E bank of Himugaan River from
Miang Bridge area S to Bugang area. Patrol will leave 0830 hr.
Easy Co at 210830 Lt Presher with one (1) reinforced plat will move to
Bago area and
thoroughly search it. Patrol will remain overnight.
Fox Co will
send two (2) plat plus one (1) LMG section three Km. to SE to clear out
caves where Japs are reported.
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"One squad
under Lt. Mara left the perimeter at 1000 to recover the body of soldier
drowned on 14 July. The body was recovered but unidentified. mapp
security patrol reported no enemy activity." |
The
body was taken into Fabrica and turned over to Capt Danus. I went back into Fabrica
that morning, and when I got off the scooter walked right
into Danus. He asked me when I'd gotten back thinking I had been off for
treatment. I explained that I had gotten to feeling better and had never
gone to the clearing station in Bacolod. He got upset and told me among
other things that "you've got amoebic dysentry." He said that he was
going to Bacolod right then, and for me get in the jeep with
him. We walked over to the jeep, which had trailer attached. Rolled
up in a poncho was a large object, and the poncho was covered with
flies. The stench was terrible. It was the bloated body of one of the D
Company soldiers who downed 14 July. We got into the jeep and took off.
Everytime
we slowed down the odor would drift forward and almost overcome us, so
Donus drove at
high speed almost all the way. We went to the small hospital in
the school and Donus saw that I was admitted.
The 2d Battalion aid
station patient registry list my name
on 21 July and shows that I was then sent to the 637th Clearing Company for a
stool specimen.
When they took me in the clearing station they immediately ran a test on
my stool. That was no problem, because I was having difficulty again.
That afternoon I was in a plane on my way
to Leyte Island, where I was admitted to the 133d General Hospital. I had
served my last day with "F" Company, the best of them all.
The war went on for the
503d without me, of course, and so too shall Bless 'em All. |
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"7-21-45 1st
platt to Camp Bago area for two day patrol. |
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"First &
second platoon's reinforced patrol swept the Makatagak River area from
0800 to 1330 hr. Encountered no enemy. Weather bad."
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