7th infantry division artillery - report of ryukus campaign (iceberg operation) - 1 april 1945-30...

8/3/2019 7th Infantry Division Artillery - Report of Ryukus Campaign (Iceberg Operation) - 1 April 1945-30 June 1945

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1. REPORT DATE

1945 2. REPORT TYPE

3. DATES COVERED

-

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Report of Ryukyus campaign : Operation Iceberg, 1 April 1945 - 30 June1945.

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

5b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER

5e. TASK NUMBER

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 7th Infantry Division Artillery,San Francisco,CA,94124

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONREPORT NUMBER

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITORS ACRONYM(S)

11. SPONSOR/MONITORS REPORTNUMBER(S)

12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACT The report is a chronological narrative of events pertaining to the 7th Infantry Division Artilleryimmediately prior to and during the RYUKUS Campaign, compiled for historical purposes, and includescomments, recommendations, and records deemed to be of value to other units participating in similaroperations. The 7th Infantry Division Artillery was assigned the mission of providing artillery support tothe 7th Infantry Division in destroying and defeating all hostile forces encountered in the assigned zone of action on the Island of Okinawa.

15. SUBJECT TERMS

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OFABSTRACT

18. NUMBEROF PAGES

78

19a. NAME OFRESPONSIBLE PERSON

a. REPORT unclassified

b. ABSTRACT unclassified

c. THIS PAGE unclassified

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18


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H E A D Q U A RT E R SS E V E N T H I N FA N T R YDIVISIONA R T I L L E R YA.P.O. #7, c/o PostmasterSon Francisco, California

R E P O RTOg C T T O C A M PA I G N

(ICEBERG O P E R AT I O N )

1 APRIL1945 20. S S B B ii2&

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I N D X S H E E T

PARAGRAPH

I

II

III

IV

V

V I

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

GENERAL NATUREANDPURPOSEOF REPORT

COMPOSITIONOF 7TH INFANTRYDIVISION ARTILLERY .

PRELIMINARYPLANNING ,

TRAINING PHASE AND REHEARSAL

LOADING

MOVEMENT TO ANDARRIVALAT OBJECTIVE AREA.

UNLOADING

NARRATIVEOF OPERATION

COMMENTS ANDCRITICAL ANALYSIS OFOPERATIONS

Assault on Be a c h *Artillery Support.Uso of Oorps Artillery by the Division Artillery.

ENEMY ARTILLERY

PERSONNELANDMATERIELSTATISTICS

RECOMMENDATIONS.- '. . * . ^

PAGE NUMBER

... 1

1

1

1

2

9

9

10

... 36

... 363739

39414344454545

.... 4647474852

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HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH INFANTRYDIVISIONA.P.O* #7, c/o PostmasterSan Francisco, California

REPORTOffRfflKYUSCAMPAIGN

(ICEBERG OPERATION)

J LAPRIfr19 *-ft) JUNE 195

I, GENERALN AT U R KANDflHffOSE | EPORT,

The following report is a chronological narrative of events pertaining tothe 7th Infantry Division Artillery i imnediately prior to and during the R]CtJXYIJ$Campaign, compiled for historical purposes, and includes comments, recommenda-tions, and records deemed to b e of value to other units participating in similaroperations*

The 7th Infantry Division Artillery was assigned the mission of providingArtillery support to the 7th Infantry Division in destroying and defeating allhostile forces encountered in the assigned zone of action on the Island of O K I N AWA ,

II. COMPSITIONOF 7TH INFANTRYDIVISION

7th Inf Div tety... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRIG GENHq & Hq Btry, 7th Inf Div A r t y * * * *FLT GUSS E. WILLIAMS31st FA Bn48th FA Bn49th FA Bn

155mmHowL.v^.^,.rt MAJOHSTUART M. GEORGE105mm How);, ..... . LT COL C. B. E. HARTS105mm H d i r ) * t 4 A .. * . . LT COL FRANCISB. HARRISON

57th FA Ba (109m How),,.**.;,. .... LT COL DONALDP. SLAUGHTER

Hit PRELIMINARYLANNING.

Onreceipt

oftentative plans

for theRYUKSTOS

Operation a WarPlansbuilding was established in the Div CP area. All data, including maps, wereassembled at the War Plans building for study. The 7th Div Arty C m d rheld con-ferences in the War Plans building with his staff and all Bn Cmdrs and theirstaffs* These conferences included attachedUnits capable of provi4ing Artyfire support*

IV- TRAINING PHASEANDREHEARSAI^

No special amphibious training was conducted between th e KING II (LEYTEIsland) Operation and the RYUKYUSCampaign,

The 31st Bnwas^nverted

from a 105injaHowit^et

Bn to a 155iamHowitzer Bnin the period between tha /lEYTB.Campaign and the RYOKYUS Campaign. No specialtraining was conducted a$/th4s Bn ! $ ! & .p r e v i o u s l y trained with the 155mm Howitzer,also available time did not perirdt*, , ^ 7 / ^

All Howitzers of the 7th Div Arty w^re bt3a|xpj&|ed and regrouped prior todeparture; from : IEYTE.

Arty personnel was placed with the 776th Amphibian Tank Battalion andintensive training in indirect fire metl^ods was conducted*

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One (l) ten (10) day school was conducted for selected personnel in themaintenance and operation of the Snooper-Sniper Scopes.

One (l) short course was conducted for selected personnel in the main-tenance and operation of bulldozers,

One (1) lecture was given to personnel concerned in the care and use ofthe VT Fuze.

Conferences were held for all organic and attached units and instructionwas given on communication nets peculiar to this operation.

Behearsals were held on the Island of LEYTE, but from the Arty, only FOand Ln Parties with inf elements participated. All radio nets ?jre checked dur-ing the rehearsal period.

V. LOADING.

a Organization for loading on the Island of LEYTE.

(1) The Div Arty of the 7th inf Div organized and operated the DivLSI Loading Point fbr the loading of all LSTs and LSM$. The7th Div Arty was responsible for loading the light Bns aboardthree (3) LSTs, the medium Bn aboard one (l) APA, one (l) LSI,and three (3) AKAs. In addition, nine (9) supp3^ LSTs and three(3) Engr LSTs were loaded,

(2) The 7th Div Arty S-4 coordinated all activities connected withthe LST Loading Point and maintained.Ln between Div supplyagencies, representatives of AC of S, G~4, and the FA Bns.

(3) The Div Arty Asst S-l was Ammunition Officer for 7th Div Arty*He xvas responsible for establishing an ammunition dum p at which

.all ammunition was sorted by lot number into separate piles andplainly marked with a distinctive symbol so each type and loti iumbor could be readily identified in the field. Most of tho155mm ammunition was repaintod and grommets replaced to protectthe rotating bands.. All 155mm ammunition, including propellingcharges ahd fuzes, was palletized. Tho 7th.Div Arty AmmunitionOfficer issued the ammunition so each Bn received all of one (l)lot number* '

(4-) A Div Arty control point was established at the LSI loading point,The, control point was o rg a n i i s o d v ^ i t h a senior control officqr inbverall charge., three (3) assistant control officers v/ho r en ia inedon duty eight (8) hours per day. The control officers, assistedby suitable non-commissioned officers, regulated and controlledthe movement of ail supplies into and put of their stock piles.A cargo checker kept an Accurate record of all supplies loadedinto trucks. When a truck was loaded,, the cargo phecker handedthe driver a tallyout \vhich the driver surrendered to a cargochecker at vthe ship who coionted the supplies as they were un-l o a d e d^ ojdd returned the tallyout to the control officer, therebyenabling him to keep -.anaccurate record of the supplies loaded ,aboard oach ship.

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(5) The best quaUf officer 4v4ildbia-in tha 7 Div Arty wasselected as the Div Arty TQM who worked in conjunction with theArty Bn fQJte. The 7th Div Arty TQMsupervised the works of theBn TQMsand advised thorn on the loading of each ship.

(6) A TQM was assigned to each ship* In general, tho Arty TQMswerecarefully selected for this duty and wore ably assisted by non-coauaissioned off cers who, in so t i iocases, wer moro qualified toplain and supervise the leading than the officers. The TQMsforthe supply 'LSTs were selected from the lowest rank available forthis duty and were not too satisfactory. Some of the of cersselected for this important duty wore inepcperienced, their plans\vere incomplete, sketchy, impractical, and they did not have theability to supervise the loading of their ships. This resultedin the Arty Bn taking over the job of the TQMselected in order

to get the LSi loaded on time*.(7) One (l) Btry of the modiuia Bn was loaded on an LSM together with

half a unit of firo of 155mm Howitzor amm\ini t ion The remainderof the Bn was loaded on an APA with ammunition loaded on three(3) AKAsand one (1) APA.

(8) Each Bn Cmdr was responsible that the ships loaded by his Bn wereloaded properly and on timeu

(9) Because the LSTs did not arrive at the time plar ined , the per->sottnol of 7th Div Arty did not embark for the rehearsal but re*

mained behind to Ipad Engr eq-a ipment on three (3) LSTs* Certainselected personnel was loaded aboard , the three (3) Arty LSTswith the Bn Cmdr as Troop Cmdr. 1 b o Btry Executive Officer ofthe medium Btry loaded in the LSM was the Troop Cmdr. Tho re-maining personne.l was loaded aboard an -APAwith thq 7th Div ArtyExecutive as the Troop OindrV The GG, 7th Div Arty,; with one (l)AidOj one (l) orderly, two (2) radio operators, and ono (l)oporations sergeant, dtot&rked aboard the Div ConmiandShip.

(10) Each light Bh loaded nine hundred thirty (930) short tons ofoquipment ahd supplies on each Arty 1ST \7hich required 2900 manhours for loading. It was estimated that each Bn performed 2350man hours of work at the supply dumps of the LSI control point.

b. Obstacles oVercocio in loading.

(1) Most of the LSTs to be loaded retwned from IWO JIMA filled withdobris and behind schedule, which delayed the time in loading astime was lost in cleaning them out.

(2) Some of the LSTs carried 51 1 Navy ammunition which had to be re-loaded in order that all the vehicles, Howi t ze r s /vcombat organ*l&ation equ ip tnen t , supplies, and five (5) units oi (immunitioncould be loaded.

(3) ,The piers built by the Engrs wore not substantial enough towithstand the hea^y surf and were f other wrecked by th

.coding in to dock in the wind and surf. Time was lost due todifficulty p l V v e L beaching at the piers.

(4) Ine^cperienced /TQIJIs were ^spqnsible for delaying the loading ' - . 'o f supply LSTs , - . / , \ e : T - A'


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(5) The heavy surf increased the difficulty of loading small boatswhich at times could not be used because of the danger of beingswapped.

(6) Several "Red Alerts at night delayed the loading due to thenecessity of extinguishing all light .

c. Supplies carried in assault shipping.

(1) Class I*

(a) An initial supply of four (4) gallons of water per Ban wascarried in five (5) gallon cans.

{b) The following rations were carried with the troops:

2 D Rations v Eation Accessories2 K Rations Coffee Component1 Assault Ration (Candy) Salt Tablets2 10-in-l Rations Atabrine

(2) Class II.

(a) Standard cleaning and preserving kits with essential clean-ing and preserving materials for fifteen (15) days wereloaded aboard each ship. The Quartermaster kit .containedcleaning and preserving materials on the basis of two Jiitodred(200) men per kit for three (3) days. The Ordnance kit con-tained cleaning and preserving materials on the basis oftwo hundred (200) men per kit for five (5) days.

(b) Three (3) days supply of radio batteries and wire werecarried with organizational property.

(0) Tentage in assault shipping was limited to that us d for CPs,Coim Centers, Medical Installations, Kitchens, and Latrines*

(3) Class III.

(a) Eaoh vehicle was loaded with tanks three fourths (3/4) fullof fuel.' v ' . . ' . . . ' . ,

(b) Each Arty Bn carried the following amounts of fuel andlubricants in assault shipping;

Fuel, 50 Octcuio V 735 gallonsGasoline, 80 Octane 1,90 gallonsGaspline, 67 Octane (unleaded) 220 gallons(Jasoline, 73 Octane (Av) , : . ' ? >400 gallonsAirplane lubricants 20 pounds-'Oil* SAE #10 75 gallonsOil, SAE #30 50 gallonsOil f SAE #50 50 gallonsGrease, GO#90 50 gallons

E,,#1, 50 poundsP #2 50' pounds

U) 'C lass

(a) Construction material for flyproof kitchens and latrineswas taken.

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H '

(b) Each Arty Bn carried a limited supply of Engr explosives.

(5) Class V *

(a) One (l) unit of small arms ammunition for all weapons wastaken*

(b) Fifty (50) flares per Bn and 7th Div Arty Hq Btyy were taken.

(c) Each Bn loaded five (5) units of 105mm ammunition with each105mm Howitzer, 0*5 units of 155mm ammunition with each 155mmHowitzer a nd 4 * 5 units of 15 *nmammunition in three (3 )A K A s *A l l 155mm ammunition, e x c e p t t h a t loaded o n t h e LSM,was palletized*

^ Unit of fire for 105mm Howitzer:

130 rounds with fuze M-4885 rounds with fuze M * 5430 rounds IP with fuze M~57

25P rounds total*

g ^ Unit of fire f or 155mm Howitzer:

105 rounds with fuse M~51~A330 rounds with fuze M-55-A115 rounds WPwith fuze M-110

150 rounds total*

' - ' % , .Propelling charges for 155mmHowitzers:

105 white bag,45 green bag*

b Fifth (50) T-105 (concrete piercing) fuzes were carried

per Howitzer, and four (4) rounds of canister werecarried per 105mm Howitzer,

(6) Miscellaneous Supplies*

(a) Unessential items of organizational property, vehicles,officers footlockers, were left behind on IE1CTEwith a rearechelon which was scheduled to arrive at the target whenshipping became available*

(b) Pifty (50) DUKSSfswere ^ecuted from the 472nd D U K WGo andassigned to the 7th Div Arty* These DUKSIswere to revert

to the 472nd D U K WCo t7hen they were no longer needed*-, - 7 - - .- , - : : - -

(cjTto %*4 Ln Planes were loaded by the light Bns in long wheeltrucks which were placed o n t h e v/oather cleck of

The medium Bn loaded two (2) L-4The two (2) L - 5 L n Planes of the

7th DiAtwAir ^S^c t i l i were to be carried aboard a NavyEscort Carrier*

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Loading Chart of Vehicles, Howitzers, and Planes;

HQ &HQ BTRI DIV ARIX

Truck, 1/4 on 4x4.Truck, 3/4 Ton x 4 WC.Truck, 1-1/2 on 6x6.Truck, 2-1/2 on 6 x 6 SMB.Truck, 2-1/2 Ton x 6 LWB.Carrier, Cargo M-29-C0Truck, 2-1/2 Ton AmphDOT.

TOTAL

Trailer, 1/4 Ton.Trailer, 1 Ton.

TOTAL

:APA 155

10410141

,21

43

, 7

*

:LST 27

0000001

. , .100

0

I L S T760000i000

i

0

0

:APA 51

0010000

1

00

0

:AKA 80

000100

.0

1

0. 0

0

s TOTAL

10422142

25

43

3

Note: Air Section of 7th Div Arty H q,was to load two (2) L-5 planesabroad a Navy Carrier, Just before sailing the Navy refused toload the two (2) planes and the planes had to be transported inlater echelons of shipping*

?1ST F.A* B N ,

Truck! 1/4 3ton 4 ^ 4Truck, 3/4 Toi> 4 x 4Truck, l->l/2 Ton 6 xTruck, 2-1/2 Ton 6 xTruck, 2-1/2 Ton 6 xTractor, High Speed iTractor, D-7 w/doaerCarrier Carg o M-29-CWrecker, 4 Ton*

: ' .w e .6.6 S W B .6 LIB.

M-5..*

Trucks, 2-1/2 T on A m p hD U K W

TOTAL

Trailer, 1/4 Ton,Trailer, M-10*Howitaer. l55itof7" ^

r* i i " " ' ( '

'22 -

LSM:26:

2002'042101

13

024

$\ I

< "6 1 .'51

L S T:16

0000020010

3

02

' 0

2

LST: '23:

0004000000

4

000

0

L S T:28:

0000000001

1 . ,

000

0

L S T:29:

1000000001

2

000

0

L S T:760:

200021

0000

100

1

AKA: APA:80:

0241000000

7

000

, 0 , - .

?!

001000000,0 ,

I

000

, . .Q . , ,

TOTAL

106572

153613

58

5141?

31

Note: 31st Bn loaded two (2) L-4 planes on "Brodie" LST.

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48TH F.A. BN.

Truck, 1/4 Ton x 4.Truck, 3/4 Ton x 4 WC,Truck, 1-1/2 Ton 6x6. Truck, 2-1/2 Ton 6 x 6 SWB.Truck, 2-1/2 Ton 6x 6 LWB.Tractor, High Speed M-5*Tractor, D-7 w/dozer.Carrier Cargo M-29-C .Trucks, 2-1/2 Ton AmphDUKS?.

TOTAL

Trailer, 1 / 4 Ton.Trailer, I Ton,Trailer M-10.Howitzer, lOjmm,Planes, L-4.

TOTAL

APA:155,:

300000000 '

2 ,

3000, Q , ; , - ,

3

LST:2,7V

20212633

15

?4

220

122

,,18

LST:11,:.

50005000

, ,o ,

10

0000

, , 0

0

LST: LST:, , ,18, : ,

600430000

3,3

00400

L

2.Q ,;

040000'00o , ,f

00009,,-M

0

LST: AKAs930;

000200000

2

00000,

0 ,

80:

020000000

2

00000

0

TOTAL:

16627

10633

15

68

524

122

25 ,

Note: 48th Bn loaded three (3) Cargo Carriers M*29*Cv/ith LnOs transportedaboard ships loaded with 17th Inf R e g t *

A9THF,.A. BN. , -

Truck, 1/4 Ton 4 x 4!Truck, 3/ 4 To n 4 x 4 WC.Truck, 1-1/2 Ton 6x6,Truck, 2 - 1 / 2 To n 6 x 6 SWB,Truck, 2-1/2 Ton 6 x 6 LIB.Tractor, High Speed M*5.Tractor, D-7 w/dozer.Carrier Cargo M-29-C.Trucks, 2-1/2 Ton A r a p hDUKI,

TOTAL

Trailer, 1/4 Ton.Trailer, 1 Ton.Trailer, M-10. .Howitzer* 105mmPlanes, L-4.

TOTAL

APA:^55

30000o000

3

20000 '

2

LST:,-,,, '^i;,

20342633

15

, ,?8

^ '

2'

0

122

18

LST:,930:

0002

" 0'0- o-00

. ; 2'

\

00400

L

LST:24:

000060000

fr

000

00

0

LST:v, :,,,

1500020000

17

00000 ,

0

AKA:80:

060000000

^

020

00

2

t9

TO TA L : .

20636

10633

15

*??

444

122 . ,

26

N o t ei 49th Bn loaded three (37 Ceargo- .Car r ie r sM*29-C with In0s trans?ported abroad shipis loaded with 32nd Inf R e g t *

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57TH F.A. B N .

Truck, 1/4 Ton 4 x 4.Truck, 3/4 Ton 4 x 4 W C ,Truck, 1-1/2 T on 6 x 6 .Truck, 2-1/2 Ton 6 x 6 S W B .Truck, 2-1/2 T on6 x 6 L W B .Tractor, High SpeedM-5.Tractor D-7, w/dozer.Carrier Cargo , M-29-C,Trucks, 2-3/2 T on A m p hDtlKl

A PA :

30000000

. .0

L S T:29:

121304634

15 ;

L S T:22:

00030006

.,, 0

LST:26:

400160000

L S T:

9JS

000200000

AKA:80:

050000000

TO T^ L

19. 6

36

10634

15

TOTAL 3 48 11 5 72

Trailer, 1/4 Ton.Trailer, 1 Ton.Trailer, M-10.Howitzer, 105nmPlane L-4

TOTAL

20000

230

122

20000

00000

00400

12006

754

122

30

Note: 57th Bn loaded one (l) Cargo Carrier M-29-C on LST 27 and one (l)on LST 28.

VI. MOVEMSMT TO AMDARRIVALAT OBJECTIVEA B E A

The Tractor Group transporting 7th Div Arty units departed frota IEITE25 March 1945, The Transport Group transporting 7th Div Arty units left 26March 1945 No unusual incidents occurred during the movement to the targetarea. Time aboard ship was utilized to orient all personnel on the situationand the plan of action. Physical exercises were conducted in all availablespaces.

The 7th Div Arty arrived intact and in excellent condition off thetarget area in the early mo rning of 1 April 1945.

VII. UMLpADING,

f f i th the arrival of the ships in the outer transport area off the westcoast of OKINAWAat 0545, 1 April 1945, the Arty was thoroughly prepared,tobegin unloading. Arty personnel transported in APA 155 was transferred at 0700by small boats to their respective LSTs and LSM, leaving behind on APA 155 thepersonnel of Hq and Hq Btry, 7th Div Arty, and the 31st Bn, less Btry nBM.Actual debarkation of the Arty began at 1145, after it had been determined bythe GG, 7th Div Arty that the beaches had been cleared of enemy small arms fire.

The Arty Bn Cmdrs, with their reconnaissance parties, debarked in DU0s t followedjLramediately by the remainder of thoir Bns to select positions just in from thebeaches* The 48th Bn lost one (l) DUKHloaded with a 105mm Howitzer which wasswamped by the wake from an LCI at this time. The advanced elements of the 7thDiv Arty CP, under the Div Arty Executive, landed in LCMs an d established aOP previously selected in a group of native tombs. The first ship to be beachedand mloaded was LSM 26, loaded with Btry l! B!l r 31st Bn. The Arty LSTs having

a high priority on beaching oajne up to the coral reef at low tide enabling thevehicles loaded on the weatl&&eck of the LSTs to drive down the ramp onto the


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reef and into shore without difficulty. All vehicles including the two (2) L-4planes loaded in 2f-ton trucks were unloaded b y dark of the first d a y * At high

tide the water was four (4.) and five (5) feet over the reef precluding the useof any vehicles for unloading except the D U J K W s ,The LCMs unloading equipmentfrom APA 155 had difficulty in beaching at the reef due to the congestion ofsmall boats* It finally became necessary to use DUOTs to complete the unload-ing. The exit roads leading from the beach were cut through the seawall. Theroads were extremely narrow with ditches on both sides and extremely congestedwith personnel and vehicles which 'delayed the unloading of the Arty, An un*loading platoon of about forty .(40) men working a twelve (12) hour shift wasfurnished by each Bn for the unloading of the Arty LSTs, Because of the dangerof Jap suicide planes Crashing into the beached LSTs, the Navy provided somepersonnel for unloading which greatly facilitated the work. The unloading pro -ceeded without incident and was completed by 2400, 3 April 1945.

VIII. NARRATIVEOF OPERATION*

1945:

The Arty of the 7th Inf Div, mbarked aboard APA 155 (USS UCOMING),LST 557| LST 558, 1ST 615, LSM 26, arrived in outer transport area off t h e westcoast pf OKINAWAat 0545, 1 April 1945 (Love Day), Transfer of Arty personnelfrom the LXCOMINGto the respective LSTs and LSM was effected by small boat, be-ginning at 0700, At 1Q30 orders to land the Arty were issued through Army andNaval channels* Actual debarkation commenced at 1145* The table below givesthe times of unloading and landing of the 7th Div Arty on 1 April 1945.

Hq Bta?y 31st FA Bn : Btry "B" i48th : 49th s 57th Div Art.vt (Less Btf.v "B") 131st FA BmFABm FA Bn; FA Bn:

Began unloading.Landed on beach.Arrived at position.First Btry in position.Second Btry in position.Third Btry in position,Registratio-n completed.

130015401555

1220154016301440163021251830

1310 1145 1145 11201310 1430 1325 12301354 1500 3430 1340144-0 1658 1450 1400

1740 1525 15101750 1545 1530

1830 1723 1630 1530

tho 7th Div Arty CP was established in a group of tombs at 8188 Oaod tale-phone conpunicatipn with all Bns was completed by 1930% The 13th ngr Bn startedconstruction of a Cub landing strip but the 7th Div Arty Air Officer selected aCub landing strip at KADEM&Airfield and this construction ceased. The statusof unloading of the Arty, as of 2400, 1 April 1945, was as follows:

55 ; y ^ 557 i 1ST 615 r IT.55S *Hq Btry Div Arty : 48th PA : 49th FA ; 57th FA :

31st (Less Btry "B11): Bn .: Bn : Bn :

Howitzers,Ammunition.Vehicles,Water, Rations,Fuel,Planes.

33100565 %

25$

1 5 %1005$100$

100J6 100JJ

100$

10050$

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2 April 1945:

Due to the rapid advance of the Irif who were encountering only lightresistance, the 31st, 4,8th and 57th Bns were ordered to displace, The 31st Bn,which was in general support, began displacing by Btry,to 8587 V at 0845 andcompleted its displacement by 1445* The 4-8th Bn, which ?/as in direct supportof the 17th Inf Begt, began displacing by Btry to 8588 I at 1150 and completedits displacemen t by 1730. The 57th Bn, with the mission of reinforcing thefires of the 48th Bn, began displacing by Btry to 86876 at 1220, after thefirst Btiry of the 48th Bn was. in'positidtu The raidaindar $f the $71*h Eta emulatedits displacement by 1830 The 491>h' Bn remained in position, furnishing directsupport to the 32nd Inf Regt. The 776th Amph Ik Bn displaced in the morningto positions north of th e 31st Bn, from which position all Cos were registeredby Observers from the 48th and 49th Bns ,Two Co s were assigned th& mission of

reinforcing the fires of the 48th Bn, and the other two (.2) Cos reinforced the49th Bn* One SCR 609 radio was completely destroyed, and ono (l) ma n of a FOParty was wounded when a bomb was dropped in the front lines of Gp nl lf , 32ndInf Regt, by a friendly plane. The Cub landing strip at KADENAAirfield wasplaced in operation and thfc first plane from the "Brodio" LST landed at 1040and took off at 1100 on the first mission flown in the Corps sector* The 7thDiv Arty GP displaced to 8587 K at 1500* The 225th FA Bn, with the mission ofreinforcing the fires of the 7th Div Arty, went into position east of theKADENaAirfield and fired harassing missions during the night of 2-3 April 1945*One (1) plane, belonging to XXIV Corps, was flown off by a pilot from the 31stBn at 1030* Because of an inadequate number qf launching devices it was im-possible to fly the two (2) L-4 Cubs off the "Brodie 1* LST, They were conse*-

quently unloaded by I )UKW The status of unloading of the Artillery as of 2400,2 April 1945 was as follows:

A PA 1 5 5 tHq Btry Div Arty :

31st (Less "B Btr.v)j

LST 557 l48th FA

Bn :

LST 615 *49th FA :

Bn j

LST 558 :57th FA ;

Bn :

Howitzers.Ammunition*Vehicles*Water, Rations.

Fuel,Planes*

100$40$

100$

100$

100

100$100$

100$65$

100$100$

100$

100$

100$100$

100$100$

3 April 19A5t

The CG, 7th Div Arty, went on reconnaissance early in the morning forBn areas and a Oub landing strip. The plan of operation for the 7th Inf Divwas received at 1145, at which time the CG, Div Arty announced his plan forthe employment of th e Arty. The 49th Bn was ordered to displace to:8884 forthe purpose of furnishing direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt, which had beenordered to advance south along the east coast of OKINAWAon the left flank of

the Div. Two (2) Co s of the 776th Amph Tk Bn were ordered to displace near the49-th Bn in order to reinforce its fires The 48th Bn was ordered to take overthe mission of furnishing direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt until isuchtimeas the 49th Bn had completed its displacement when it would reinforce the 49thBn, The 57th Bn was relieved of the mission of reinforcing the 48th Bn, andwas ordered to d i s p 3 ^ a c e to 8783 B for the purpose of furnishing direct supportto the 184th - laf. Reg t / which had been ordered to pass through elements, of the96-oh lnf-.;i)iv and attack south on the right flank of the 7th Inf Div. The 31stBn was assigned the mission;of furnishing direct support to the 184th Inf Regtuntil such time as the 57th Bn had completed its displacement, when it'would

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revert to general support* Two (2) Cos of the 776th Amp h Tk Bn were ordered todisplace near the 57th Bn in order to reinforce its fires Work was started ouclearing a Cub landing field at 8785 B - 8685 D by the 13th Engr Bn and ordersv \ r e r eissued to move the Air Section to the new strip when it was completed*

The 49th Bn displaced to 8783 K and was in position by 1940. The 57th Bn com-pleted its displacement to 8783 by 1715. The 776th AmphTk Bn displaced to8783 and was registered by Observers from the 49th and 57th Bns. The 225th Bnreinforced the fires of the 7th Div Arty from position at 8486 I. Harassingmissions were assigned to all Bns. The 31st Bp located twenty seven (27)civilians lurking in a tomb and turned them over to the IPs, One (l) Jap xsoldier and a civilian were killed when they resisted arrest. The 57th g^-hadone (l) man killed during the night of 3~4 April 1945 when he was mistaken foran enemy soldier. At 1000, BtJry "A", 48th Bn, received one (1) 105mm Howitzerto replace the one lost when being unloaded in a DUKI from the LST on 1 April1945.. Eight (8) 1>4 Planes were operating off K A D E N AAirfield throughout thed a y * APA 155 was unloaded by 1500j 1ST 615 was unloaded by 0930; LST 557 was

unloaded. by 1630 and LSI 558 was unloaded by 2400, 3 April 1945 . The unloadingof all LSTs was delayed due to the necessity of using DUK5? for unloading APA155 t^cause of conditions at the reef. The unloading of LST 558 was furtherdelayed because it retracted from the beach, without competent Navy orders,due to apprehension of attack by Jap suicide planes.

L April 1,94$:

7th Inf Div Arty, 145th and 225th FA Bns, and 776th A m p hTk; Bn fired1800 rounds on harassing missions throughout the night of 3-4 April 1945 * The31st and 48th Bns were ordered to displace to the south of positions occupiedby the 49th Bn* The 48th Bn began displacing to 8781 at 0630 The 3lst Bn

finished displacing to 8681 b y 1345* Cos GU

and D% 776tlvAmph Tk Bn, wereassigned the mission of furnishing direct support to the 17th Inf Regt and ad-justed on points along the coast, using Observers from the 48th Bn in t h e sectorof the 17th Inf Regt. Cos HA" and "B", 776th AmphTk Bn, continued to reinforcethe fires of the 57th Bn. The 49th and 57th Bns remained in position, fu rn i sh -*ing direct support to the 32nd and 184th Inf R e g t s > respectively. Two (2) FOsof the 57th Bn were seriously wounded by enemy machine gun fire while in t h efront lines of the 184th Inf R e g t * One (l) L-4 Ln Plane of the 48th Bn wasdamaged beyond repair when caught in a crosswind while taking off 7th Div Artybegan displacing at 1300 and tho new OP opened at KISHABA(8782 05), a t 1600.The 57th Bn fired a Bn concentration on an estimated Go of Japs .with excellenteffect. Air Sectioa displaced to the new Cub landing strip*

A r i l

The 57th Bn completed displacing two (2) Btries to 8680 0 by 1500. The31st B x *reinforced the fires of the 57th Bn during the displacement* Cos "Cnand "D", 776th AmphTk, displaced south along east coast to 8979 F and 8980 F,with the mission of providing reinforcing fires in tho sectors of tho 32nd and184th Inf Regts as well as being able to fire along the coast in tho sector ofthe 17th Inf Regt. The 49th Bn was ordered to displace as far forward as pos*sible the morning of 6 April 1945% T h q 502nd A A A(Gun) Bn whoso mission was toreinforce the fires of tho 7th Div Arty against land targets, reverted to con-trol of 97th AAAGroup, since its Btrios were so far north of the front linesas to preclude their use on roinforcing

missionsin the Div sector. The LnO

with the 1st Mar Div returned and was assigned 'to the 96th Div Arty. The 225thBn displaced to position near th$ 31st Bn. |$t rounds of ominunit iou were f rodby 7th Div Arty, 225th Bn, and 776th AmphTki^i Buying the night of ^5 -6 April1945 on harassing missions. Increasing numbers o enemy installations werobeing picked up and taken under fire throughout the day. An Air Observer ad-justed the 31st Bn on an eneiny ammunition d u m pwhich blow up f Tho Bn Gmdr, 31stBn, riding in a ^-ton truck, hit an anti-tank mine which blew off tho front ofthe vehicle without injury to any personnel* Observation was hindered b y low

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E I I I 4 C L E H I L L (8j>77

S I L L

Photos by Ttii DiY.Artj Air Sec.


19/79


20/79

hanging clouds and fog. An Air Observer and Pilot from the 31st Bn were woundedby two (2) Japs discovered lurking in a cave in the vicinity of the Cub airatrip* A forward Arty ammunition d u m pwas established near the 7th Div Arty GPjand by 1900$ 4470 rounds of ammunition were hauled from the beach over circuitousone-lane roads* Sixteen (16) 2|~ton trucks were available for hauling ammunitionand were able to complete only three (3) trips in a ten (10) hour period*

6 April 194J5;

Btry HB!'t 57th Bn, displaced at 0730 to positions occupied by the re-mainder of the Bn* The 4$th Bn completed its displacement to 8778 F by 0930and resumed its mission of furnishing direct support to the 32nd Inf R e g t * The48th Bn assumed direct support of the 32nd Inf Regt mtil the 49th Bn had com-pleted its displacement, when it resumed its mission of reinforcing the 49th En*Cos " A11 and " B11* 776th AmphTk Bn, displaced south and continued with theirmission of furnishing reinforcing fires to the 57th Bn. Cos l! Cf! and " D1*, 776thAmphTk Bn. reteained in position and continued with their mission of being pre-pared to fire aiohg the coast in the sector of the 17th and 32nd Inf Regts torepel any aji hibious landing by the enemy* Two (2) OPs were set ' iupto maintaincontinuous observation of the beache^* The ttub -planes- provided air observationand adjusted fire on enemy machine guns, mortar , Arty, tanks* and supply d u m p s *The 3lst Bn set up a Div W om which the CG of the Eiv adjusted fire bn tar-gets of opportunity. The 49th Bn received snemy Arty fire which inflicted nod a m a g e * the 57th Bn fired a preparation on a strongly entrenched position onPinnacle Hill (8577 S) with good effect^ killing over sixty (60) Japs andenabling the 184th Inf Regt to dcdupy the position with a minimum of casualtios*During the night of 6*7 April 1945 the1 7th Biv Arty, 776th AmphTk Bn, 225thand 145th Bris fired 2300; rounds on harassing and interdiction missions for thepurposes of preventing the enemy frbm o^ga^aiing a coordinated %ttack during thenight* A total of 11,645 roiinds of ^ hauled to the forwarddump, using twenty three (23) trucks which succeeded in making Soiir (4) roundtrips " ; - ' ' - ^: : " ;' " -i :' : : : :- ' ; v' ;' ' ' ' ' ; - " ' ; ' " ' / ' ;""-" '

April

The 48th Bn began displacing to 8677 H at 0630 and the last Btry was inposition and ready to fir6 at 0940* The 287th FA Obsn Bn set up sound todflash OPs in the Div fcone of action* Naval Gunfire, using Plane Sppt, adjustedon enemy installations south of grid line 71 The 184th Inf Regt encounteredincreasing resistance in its sector from the vicinity of Tomb Hill (8475 I) andRed Hill (8477 Q) and was able to Mvahce only after intense shelling " of domi^nating terrain features by the 57th and 31st Bns in its acme of acstlon* 3016rounds were fired by the 7th Piv Arty, 776th AmphTk Bn, and t he 225th and145th Bns throughout the night on harassing missions. The enemy shelled po-sitions occupi


21/79

pieces, AA guns, pillboxes, caves, tables, and strongly entrenched positions,Naval Gunfire provided night illumination and fired on targets of opportunityusing Plane Spot. A number of enemy Arty pieces were* located which the enemypulled into position, fired & few rounds and then pulled back into a c a v e be-

fore the piece could be fired upon effectively* Other enemy Arty pieces wereapparently emplaced in caves out of which they fired in a comparatively narrowsector and could be discovered only accidently when an observe* S A Wa f ash.The 287th FA ObsnBn located and adjusted fire on several enemy field pieces,Preparations were fired by the 49th and 57th Bns in support of tEei Inf just priorto the jumpoff* The 776th AmphTk Bn finished registering on criticed pointsalong the southern portion of t h e east coast in the Div sector The 4th Bn,llth Mar Arty Regt, was attached to the 7th Inf Div and assigned the mission ofreinforcing the fires of the 57th Br u Orders were received from XXIV Corpsthat, due to the shortage : of Arty ammcinit ioni not more than 0*3 Unit^ of Firewould b e expended except in case of emergency, Thig allowance was later in-creased to 0,5 Units


22/79

I f i l l fi I & & (8475 I)

SI S 11 i i (8A77q

Photos by T t J i Div Arty A ir


23/79


24/79

P*% ffiv f- r .ft fj H (' ' 71 7n^

11 April 19A5; / $ / ' < ' ' "!; ' '' "' ^^^^^*&_-**& ,^ ;/; , , t " ; v:" ':

The Div remained in position and dug in preparatory t q >resuming the attacksouth when sufficient Arty ammunition could be unloaded to support the Inf*Naval Gunfire, using Air Spot, fired on enemy installations inclining Artypositions in caves* Inf action was limited to patrolling and normal barrageswere fired to stop the enemy in his attempt to reta^:T


25/79

the purpose of locating enemy Arty positions at night by 1! Flash Bang", T w o (2)Battleships and one (1) Cruiser were available throughout the day for fire onareas and for counterbattery* Btry HBff , 502nd AM (Gun) Bn, displaced to 8733 Rwith the mission of supporting the 7th Inf Div by firing on ground targets* The7th Div Arty* with attached units, fired limited harassing missions throughoutthe night* A roving gun was used for the purpose of adjusting on enemy en-trenchments* Twenty four (24) rounds of WP ammunition wore destroyed by enemyArty fire which landed in a forward ammunition d u m p *

15 .April 1945:

The 57th Bn captured one (l) Jap soldier in its area, and picked up one(1) Jap civilian who was able to speak English fluently* The 48th Bn receivedeighteen (18) rounds of enemy 150mm shells Which were either duds or were firedwi th ' a , delay action fuze which caused no damage in the soft soil* An amphibiantank of the 776th AmphTk Bn was hit and a pile of 75mm ammunition set on fire.The Navy provided two (2) Battleships, one (l) Cruiser and two (2) Destroyers toprovide harassing, counterbattery fire, and night illximination.

16 April 1945;

The Arty of the 7th Inf Div, assigned and attached, continued t o improvetheir positions and haul ammunition* Two (2) Btries of the 31st Bn displacedto an alternate position* At a meeting of Bn Gmdrs, the Arty plan for theattack on 19 April 1945 was announced and everyone oriented on the operation*The enemy continued to shell positions occupied by the 49th Bn and the 776thAmphTk Bn* One amphibian tank was hit and several men injured by high ex-plosive frag^nts* The CG, 7th Div Arty, visited XXIV Corps Hq and 96th DivArty Hq f r the purpose of coordinating the Arty available to t he 7th Div Arty*One (l/ Btry of the 502nd and one (1) Btry of the 504th AAA (Gun) Bns were r e gistered on check points using a Ln Plane and computing the initial data bymeans of Radar* The Navy continued to shell installations around XONABARU,firing seventy three (73; rounds of 16" shells, seventy (70) rounds of 14nshells, two hundred ninety eight (298) rounds of 5f t shells, and an unreportodnumber of 8lf shells at camouflaged enemy installations, including A A positions,Arty positions, supply dumps, and truck porks . Maval Gunfire succeeded in d e -stroying a camouflaged observation tower in the vicinity of SHURI*

17 Api^i l 1945:

All Arty Bns started registration on targets to be covered , by scheduled

fire or iP-Day* The enemy shelled areas occupied by the Arty of the Div, causingno damage* The 4th Bn, llth Mar Arty Regt, continued experimenting /with its"Dodar" equipment in attempts to locate enemy Btries by sound ranging* withoutmuch success* Two (2) medium Bns and one (1) light Bn fired a "Time on Target 11

mission on an enemy Btry located by "Flash Bang f from several 0?s, The missionwas successful, for the enemy Btry was silenced for t he night and a largo firewith numerous explosions was started. The Navy fired six hundred ninety two(692) rounds of 5t r ammunition, five hundred sixteen (516) rounds of 61 1 ammuni*tion* thirty nine (39) rounds of 14 U ammunition, and one hundred thirty eight(138) rounds of 16 I! ammvini t ionin the 7th Inf Div sector throughout the dayand night of 17 April 1945 on enemy installations*

18 April 1945:Preparations were completed foi^ytto coordinated attack by three (3) Divs

in line against the eriomy main defenses north of SHURI* All Arty Bns completedregistration for preparation and scheduled fires* The 57th Bn fired a screeningmiss io r i in order to allow the Inf to evacuate three (3) wounded men of a patrolwho wore pinned down by enemy fire in front of the front lines* An Arty Ob*server reported the appoarance of ten (10) Japs with packs and camouflaged

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helmets in entrances to caves, apparently indicating that the enemy was bringingUp fresh troops* One (1) Battleship, two (2) Cruisers, and two (2; Destroyersfurnished Naval Gunfire in the Div sector oa tenemy emplacements and installationsfor the purpose of softening up the enemy in preparation for the IM)ay attack ofXXIV Corps * Th enemy laid down a particularly heavy concentration of Arty andmortar fire on the front lines of the 32nd Inf Regt shortly after dusk.

19 April 3,945:

Limited harassing and coimterbatt^ry fires were delivered in the 7th InfDiv sector during the hours of darkness by the 7th Div Arty, 4th Bn. llth MarArty Regt, 776th A m p hTk Bn (less Co D), Btry Atf , 504th A A A(Gun) Bn, Btry

BV 502nd A A A(Gun) Bn, XXIV Corps Arty, and III Phib Corps Arty. The Artyfired a forty (40) minute preparation beginning a t 0600, using a large pro-portion of delay fuzes to dig the enemy out of his caves and covered emplace-ments. The Inf attacked at Q64Q, with two (2) Bns of the 184 h Inf Regt on theright and two (2) Bns of the 32nd Inf Regt on the left* The 17th 1 Inf Regt re-mained in Div reserve Af er the attack, Arty fires were lifted to commandingterrain features which were effectively neutralized and screened with smoke*The SLAUGHTERGroup, consisting of the 57th Bn, 4th Bn, llth Mar Arty Regt,and Cos lf Alf and "B11, 776th AmphTk Bn, provided direct support tp the 184th InfRegt, The HARRISONGroup, consisting of the 49th Bn, 48th Bn, and Co "C",776th AnnphTk Bn, provided direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt, The GEORGEGroup, consisting of the 31st Bn, Btry "A11, 504th AM , (Gun) Bn, and Btry n B%

502nd AAA(Gun) Bn, provided general s i^ppor t* The JACKSONGroup, consistingof the 225th PA Bn ( 155mm Howitzers) and 1st Mar Arty Bn (155mm Howitzers),reinforced the fires of the 7th Div Arty* Five (5) ships provided Naval Gun-fire on rear areas for the purpose of di&rupting communications and preventingmovement by the enemy, Conical Hill (8271 G) was kept under fire and screenedwith smoke throughout the day. One (l) Navy Spotter Plane was shot d own byenemy fire. Co "B11, 776th An^h Tk Bn, d isplaced, beginning at 1200. The 57thB n began preparing positions i n t h e vicinity i f Tomb 'Hill. T h e I n f w as ableto advance less than 500 yards against stiff jenemyresistance* A heavy down-pour in the afternoon stopped any further progress and the Inf dug in for thenight. The 49th Bn had one (l) officer and one (1) enlisted man wounded, andthe 4-th Bn, llth Mar Arty Regt, had one (1) officer killed by a sniper in the

CP of the 3rd Bn, 184th Inf Regt. An^ by 7th Div Arty andattached raits consisted of 0.38 units of fire for 155nnnammunitioh^ 1.41 unitsof fire f r 105am ammunition, 0.8? units of fire for 90mm ammunition, 0.55units of fire for 75iam ammunition. The Navy fired one hundred forty four (144)rounds of l6 ff ammunition, one hundred fifty (150) rounds of 8t f ammunition, andthree hundred ninety two (392) rounds of 5" ammunition against Arty in caves,Supply dumps, and other military installations, in support of the 7th Inf Div.

20 April

The Arty continued to support the attack of the Div b y fire againstcountless enemy caves and tunnels. Enemy Arty was active throughout the day,

firing at tops of hills occupied by friendly troops and tanks* The Arty fireda preparation in the morning and afternoon for a coordinated attapk by the Inf.Particular attention was given to locating en^my Arty, utilizing all observationagencies including the Air Spotting Planes of the Navy. Navy ships off thecoast of O K JN AV /Afurnished continuous support day and night, firing threehundred seventy four (374) rounds of 12rf ammunition, three hundred thirteen(313) rounds of n airnnionition, one hundred twenty five (125) rounds of 6"ammunition, andr!2$4 rounds of 5f t ammunition in the Div sector, knocking out anumber of onemj^guns. The Arty .fired 0.47 units of fire of 155romammunition,064 units of fire of 105mm ammunition, 0. 41 units of fire of 90mm ammunition,and 0,48 units of fire of 75mm ammunitiott^ ^ ?

-17 .''''./


27/79

21 Apyil.19^1 ,Ji >,:


33/79


34/79

?8 April 9^ 5*

The 1st Bn, 32nd Inf Regt, advanced several hundred yards but had towithdraw to its original position in the afternoon upon receiving a heavy con-centration of mortar fire. The 17th Inf Rbgt on the right flank was able tpmake only slight progress against a carefully coordinated defense put up bythe enemy. The enemy fired 75ramAA at observation planes in order to interferewith observation. All Air Observers intensified efforts to locate eneray Artyand succeeded in destroying or damaging numerous pieces. Some colored smokeammunition for marking targets was received and the present lot of VT fuzes wasfound to be defective and was withdrawn from use. The 155romgun, using directlaying, emplaced near Hill 178 (8374 B), succeeded in completely knocking offa concrete blockhouse atop Conical Hill (8271 G), which was used -by the enemyas an OP. Ten (10) FA officers, four (4) Signal Corps officers, and two (2)Corps of Engr officers were assigned to the 7th Dtv Arty as replacements. NayalGunfire was having difficulty in locating profitable targets. Six (6) shipswere assigned to the 7th Inf Div to fire on targets of opportunity. The enemysucceeded in flying nuisance missions over our front lines and rear areas,using a few planes which inflicted little damage to friendly installations.

39 April 1945:

Activities i n t h e front lines were generally limited t o I n f attacks , . i against limited bbjectives. Friendly tanks received intense concentrations of

enemy Arty fire whenever they moved forward* The Inf received considerablemortar fire upon launching an attack against an bbjective* The Arty supported

the attack of the Inf by firing on areas suspected of containing mortars andmachine guns. Very little activity was observed in the eneny lines. The enemywas dug in and fired only whenever a target presented itself. The I55nnn gunin the vicinity of Hill 170 (8374 B) used direct fire on caves and emplacementslocated near Conical Hill (8271 G). A i*ton truck belonging to the 31st Bnwas damaged by enemy shell fragments on the skyline in the vicinity of Hill 178(8374 B). Enenjy Arty was directed against the 155mm gun and modium tanks, whichcaused casualties among troops nearby and cut wire lines to OPs on Hill 178(8374 B). The 49th Bn had two (2) men wounded in action. The 4th Bn, llthMar Arty Regt, received orders detaching it frora the 7th Div Arty, effectivethe morning of 30 April 1945* Four (4) ships fired n ight illumination, counter-battery, apid harassing missions throughout the night. Six (6) ships, each

with its OTOAir Spot, were assigned to the 7th Inf Div during daylight andfired on caves containing supplies and Arty pieces.

30 April 194$.;

The 4th Bnf llth Mar Arty Regt r was relieved of attachment to 7th DivArty. The 362nd FA Bn, ^6th Inf Div, was assigned to reinforce the fires ofthe 57th Bn and registered in tfce sector of the 17th Inf Regt. A second 155mmgun was emplaced near Hill 178 (8374 B) and both guns began a systematic es-truction of all caves, tunnels, and emplacements on the forward slopes of theinnumerable hills and ridges to the direct front. Tho 77th Inf Div beganrelieving the 96th Inf Div and the 1st Mar Div began relieving the 27th Inf iv.

The 7th Inf Div remained in the front lines with the 17th Inf Rogt on the right,the 184th Inf Regt relieving the 32nd Inf Regt in the center and the 7th RenT v p on the left flank along the beach. Each 105mm Howitzer Bn furnished two (2)Li:Q3 and four (4) FOs with the assault R^gts* the 48th Bri furnished one (l)FO with the 7th Ren Trp. All Bjis continued to man OPs on Hill 178 (8374 B)and Skyline Ridge (8474 F). The Cannon Co, 32nd Inf Regt. received betweenfifty (5Q). and seventy five (75) rounds of Arty f re frbia Jap 75roia gun whichwas finally destroyed by Naval Gunfire. A Cub Plane of the 57th Bn was hit inthe wing by a Jap 20nunAA sh^ll. Neither the pilot nor the observer was in-jured and the plane was able to return to the landing field. Medical supplieswere successfully dropped after a second attempt from an altitude of fifty (50)feet, to a patrol of the 17th Inf Regt which was pinned $own by enemy machine

gun fire and almost wiped out when advancing forward of the front lines. The- 21 -


35/79

patrol.'was rescued after dark, assisted by a box barrage fired by the A r t y *The 57th Bn fired Bn concentrations on two (2) separate groups of from twenty(20) to thirty (30) Japs in t h e o p e n * These were t h e largest concentrationsof enemy troops observed and the results of Arty fire v/ere excellent* Pre-cision adjustments were made on eaves, tunnels and the reverse slopes of steep

ridges from which the enemy continued to defend tenaciously* The 7th Div ArtyAir Section flew a photographic mission, taking a series of verticals andobliques from an altitude of 2500 feet for the use of the Inf and Arty* Six(6) ships fired 16% 12% 8!f , and 5 n projectiles against enemyinstallationswith excellent results* One (l), Naval Spotting Plane \ms hit by enemy AA fireand completely destroyed* Arty ammunition expenditure was limited to 0*5 Witsof fire per day by XXIV Corps*

1 May 1945>

The 49th Bh reinforced b y t h e 48th Bn, assumed direct support of the184th Inf Regt, The 362nd PA Bn of the 96th Div Arty reinforced the fires of

the 57th Bn in the sector of the 17th Inf R e g t * The 1st Bn, 184th Inf Regt,successfully relieved the 1st Bn of the 32nd Inf Regt. The 1st Bn, 32nd InfRegt, was unable to withdraw because of being flanked by enemy machine gun fire*The 363rd FA Bn of the 96th Div Arty reinforced the fires of the 31st Bn, beingallowed three hundred (300) rounds per day during daylight for this purpose*Medium tanks, using direct fire against enemy emplacements fuora the vicinity ofHill 178 (8374 B), drew heavy enemy Arty fire, some of which fell o n the ArtyOPs. During t he night of 1-2 May 1945* the enemy attempted to infiltrate throughthe front lines but was beaten back with t he help of normal barrages firedthroughout the night by the Arty^

2 May 1945?

The 49th Bn displaced to new.position at 8576 E during the morning* Thesky was overcast with low hanging clouds which limited visibility, restricteduse of air observation, and limited deep Arty support furnished by the N a v y *Seventy five (75) replacements for the 7th Div Arty were received and assignedto the B n s * One (1) round of HE-A$ ammunition burst prematurely in tube of a105mm Howitzer of Btry tf Cl f , 57th Bn, completely blowing of t ho end of the tubebut causing no injury to any personnel. Co L11, 184th Inf Regt. attacked at0230 and seissod a sfiiall hill just short of Conical Hill (8271 G ; * By daylightthe Co was surrounded by abtive enep\y The Co maintained its position duringdaylight but v/as forced to withdraw under cover of darkness and the protectionof a box barrage* The FO with Co fl Ltf was killed and other members of his party

wounded by enemy mortar fire* The usual harassing, interdiction, and illumina~tion missions were fired by two (2) ships of the Navy during the night andsix (6) ships were available for counterbattery and for targets of opportunitythroughout tho d a y * Poor visibility limited amount of firing. As a'result ofsound and flash readings obtained by the 7th Div Arty, XXIV Corps Arty, andInf OPs, numerous counterbattery missions were fired at night, silencing enemyArty at least temporarily.

3 May 194$*

The Inf attempted to attack south in the Div sector but the attacksencountered such heavy resistance that the gains were measurod in yards. Tho

Arty continued to pound enemy defenses and exerted every offort to locate enemyA r t y * Btry "A", 834th A A A(AW) Bn (Mobile), m o v e dinto the 7th Inf Div sectort o provide A Aprotection to areas occupied b y tho A r t y * The Air Section hadseven (7) L-4 Planes operational and two (2) L-5 Planes wore on hand but notassembled* At dusk, Air Observers discovered and took undor fire enemy troopswho were moving north from t he southern end of t he island* The enemy wasextremely active during th e night, laying down the heaviest concentration offiro on our front linos and on areas in front of our front linos, 00 far

' " " . ' ' ' , . * 2 2 - ' : i - , ; ;', , . , .


36/79

.

experienced. Observation at a flash base OP occupied by the 57th Bn had to bediscontinued because of the heavy shelling-, which hit the ; du g in OP* withoutcausing any casualties. Observers at an OP on the seawall, manned by the 48th -Bn, saw three (3} Jap barges approximate;ly 1 miles of shore at 2345 whichwere fired o n b y t h e . fth e rounds > f iling into areas oceup i eci by o u r Arty were e they dudsor fired with a del iay^fuase which did little or no d a m a g e * At least eight (8)Japanese j sf t ia l lboats were sunk on the left flank of the Div by fire from the :7th Ron Trp and the Navy which effectively stopped the attempt at landing be-hind the 7th Jftf Divi POs discovered large groups of enemy assembling for theattack* Thfcse groups were effectively neutralized and the expected coordinatedattack was broken up^. Only small groups were able to infiltrate our front linesand by 0745 the main attack was definitely stopped* After the failure of theinitial attaek> disorganized groups of Japs* somerwithout arms, were observed

fleeing southward and these were taken under Arty fire , for the remainder of theday* Both direct support Bns adjusted time-fire on groups of the eneigy in theope with devastating effect* Air Obsearve r sreported seeing many lucrativetargets, consisting of enemy Arty in the open protected by AA guns* Enemy A Awas: particularly active against our observation planes in an attempt at pre>-venting Air Observers from adjusting on Arty pieces, which had bean moved intothe open during - t h e night in order to support the attack* The onomy was alsoutilising siaioke- pots in an effort to cpnceal his Arty positions. Ai* Air Obser-ver was able to adjust the 31st Bn shortly after dawn on three (3) 75mmAA guns,scoring direct hits on two (2) of the .guns before his target was obscured bys u > k e * fhe same observer also scored direct hits on two \2) Btrie^ of 75mmguns. Arty OPs on Hill 173 (8374 B) receive^ .heavy shelling a t night anA

throughout tho^ day. One (1) man from ; the 57th Bn was killed b y on. enemy shell,which scored a direct hit on a wire truck /h e was riding* One (1) l|-ton trupkand one (1) t n truck were hit :by shall JRragmentsat the position of the 57thBa* Six (6) ^ ships, with Air Spot, fired ttooughowt the day and reported hittingeight (8) AA guns, twelve (12) Arty pieces, a number of trucks in the open,dumps,: caves and personnel in tho open*-; Arty observers reported scoring hitson a total of nine .(9) M gms, eighteen (18) field pieces, qjwmunition dumps,large groups of enemy in the open, and iwerable other target , Majiy gxinsin caves Kfore fired on with undetenained results. At the close o the poriodthe front lines: were -unchanged* /m estimated seventy five (75) to eighty (80)Japs succseededin infiltrating into rear areas* Otherwise the eneiqy attack wastotally unsuccessful*

Approximately one h\mdred fifty (150) Japs, armed with machine guns,mortars, arid demolition charges, succeeded in getting through tho 17th Inf Rogtduring the night* This party ttined ro$d$


37/79

through the entire action* One (l) Okinawan soldier was killed and another waawounded and . . aptured near Cub air strip, A Cub plane toocked off its landinggear by hitting a stump while taking off* It #raeh landed at K&DENA air fieldwithout injury to pilot or observer, Front lines in the Div sector were not

able to advance during the d ay * Enemy AA fire at friendly observation planeswas not as active* and a number of profitable targets were fired upon, usingAir Spot* Six (6) ships provided fire support in the Div sector, destroyingA A guns and Ai^ty pieces, besides firing at enemy caves, supply dumps, trucksand personnel in the open* Three (3) ships provided night illuminationâssing, interdiction, and counterbattery fires throughout the night

( > M a y

Normal barrages were fired on Jap activity all along the front linesthroughout the night, A patrol sent out f pm the 184th Inf Regt into areawhere normal barrage had been fired, reported locating three hundred fifty (350)

dead Japs along with one (1) 75mm Pack Howitaer, one (l) 37ramAnti^Tank Gun*five (5v grenade dischargers, two (2) machine guns* A predominance of the deadwere of icers and non-commissioned officers. Another patrol located one hun-dred (100) dead Japs killed by an Arty concentration. The 17th Inf Regt at-tacked at 1230 to seize a hill in its front from which fire was holding up the184th Inf Regt on the left. The 184th Inf: Regt attacked at 1300 to seize GAJAHill (8272 T>* One (l) L-5 plane was operational and two (2) crated L-4 planeswere received. Two (2) Battleships, one 3(1) riiiser, and three (3) Destroyersprovided Naval Gunfire for the 7th Inf Div during the day* Profitable targetswere much less numerous than on the previous two (2) days. The 48th and 49thfins began, construction of bomb proof OPs .near Skyline Ridge (8474 $ , The Infwas able to send patrols forward freely and seize some hills to its front which

had been defended tenaciously before the attack of 4 May 1945*7 M a y ' ' ' " ' ' " ' "

The 17th and 184th Inf Regts attacked in the morning following an Artypreparation in order to secure commanding terrain to the immediate f ;ont. Theadvance wî halted by enemy machine gun and mortar fire before much progresswas madev A large grotp of Japs apparently withdrawing from TANABARUattemptedto get past the 3rd Bn, 17th Inf Regt, Arty fire broke up he group, killingat least forty seven (47) of the enemy. Air observation was excellent dioringthe morniag and Air Observers adjusted medium Arty on six (6) active AA guns,several Arty pieces, ammunition dumps in dugouts, troops in the open, and a

fuel d u m pin a town* M guns were camouflaged in grass huts and fired atObservation Planes flying within range, rThe 3rd Bn, 184th Inf R^gt, succeededin securing GAJA Hill (8272 T) in the afternoon. Visibility was poor in theafternoon when a light rain fell. The 362nd Bn, reinforcing tho 57th Bn, dis-placed, and the 48th Bn took over reinforcing missions until displacement wascompleted. The 225th Bn and the 1st Mar 155mm Howitzer Bn reinforced the firesof the 57th Bn^ Suitable Arty targets continued to be observed early in themorning and Just before dusk at night, Tho *Navy f i rn ished six (6) ships, withPlane Spot, to firo on targets in the Div sector, Nimierousprofitable targetswere located and taken under fire. Two (2) AA guns and eight (8) 75mm gunswere definitely destroyed and several others fired on with undetermined re-sults, ' ' - ' - ' - - ; ' / ; ' * - - - ' . - - . - : " " . ' ; , ,' . ' ' . - , - ' ' :; . , , ;. ' '/,, ' - . , ,

8 May

Orders received indicated that the 96th Inf Div would commen ce relievingt h e 7th Inf Div in its sector. One (l) light Bn of Arty was ordered to rein-force the Arty of the 96th Inf Div, and two (2) light Bris were ordered to r e - *iôi^ce 'the Arty of the 77th Inf Div, The medium Bn was ordered to fire in thesector of both the^ 96th and 77th Inf Diva as needed. Visibility .was, very poor

' ' - : ' - " :i ' " . ' : ; . - ' ' - - . '' ' *~ ' ' '' - 1 3' >J ^

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and a heavy rain grounded all planes for the day. fcTte dre (pt support Arty firedat enemy mortar positions on the reverse slopes of hills. One (l) inan from t h e i ':

57th Bn was killed when he accidently sat off a booby trap at his Btry position*The 921st FA Bn of the 96th Inf Div displaced into the sector of the 7th InfDiv. All FA pieces and the Navy fired one (1) volley at 1200 to celebrate thefinal capitulation of GERMANY.The Navy furnished six (6) ships with the missionof providing d e e p support in the 7th Inf Div sector . Harassing fires were pro*-vided during the day and night Ifo observed missions were fired because of poorvisibility.

M a

Visibility was excellent but the roads were barely passable , s a x tesu l tof th& heavy rain of the previous day* The 382nd Inf Regt of the 9&th Inf Div

commenced relieving the 17th Inf Regt in its sector, and the relief1

was com-pleted by 1800 at whidh time the 57th Bn was relieved of its direct supportmission by the 362nd Bn and was assigned the mission of reinforcing the 304thBn, 77th Inf Div. The 48th Bn reconnoitered for positions in the sector of the77th Inf piv. th0 49th Bn destroyed a single enemy Arty piece with its crewwhich opened up on the rear of the 184th In Regt from the vicinity, of the AirStrip* The 184th Inf Regt was able to adva,nQe to the west slope of ConicalHill, The front lines of the 17th Inf Regt remained unchanged.

10 May 1945*

The 48tlA Bn d isplaced to 8177 X iuxth, and 49th Bns wore to reinforce tho firesof the 57th Bn which was to be yfraat support" of the 184th Inf Rogt. Whenthe 32nd Inf Regt was conrnitte


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22

The 7th Inf Div signalized its return t o combat by a pre-dawn Attackwithout the usual Arty preparation* The maneuver caught the enemy completelyoff guard and two (2) Bns of the 184th Inf Regt were able to push through tothe high ground south of IONABARUagainst meager resistance* Intermittejat rainfell throughout the day, limiting visibility to a few thousand feet and ground-ing Ln Planes* Tanks could not be used over the cultivated fields and ricepaddies which the enemy had literally sprint various types of improvisedmines. The 57th Bn had two (2) off cers wounded by enemy mortar fire, only one(1) of whom had to be evacuated* . One (l) Go of the 32nd Inf Regt pushed through,with the 184th Inf Regt on the right flank to cover the deployment of the 32ndInf Regt in that sector when it was committed* Due to the inability of the 96thInf Div to advance south and west on Conical Hill, the right flank of the 7thInf Div was vulnerable to enemy f re froin the high ground in that sector andlimited the advance west of YONABAIIU*two (2) Cruisers and two (2) Destroyersprovided Naval Gunfire support for the 7th Inf Div during the d a y * Six (6)Rocket LGIs fired 15QO 5t f rockets in support of t he attack. Enemy communicationfrom front lines to Arty positions appeared to b e inadequate because no energyArty fell on our front lines until hours after carrier pigeons were observedbeing r e l e a s e d > by >the enemy* It was evident tho enemy was unable to adjust hisArty because his shelling was sporadic and erratic*

2 3 M a y ' ' " ' '

The 184th Inf Regt continued its advance south and succeeded in seizingBamboo Hill (8268 R)* The 32nd Inf Regt moved into position and attacked southand west to seize the high ground south of SHURI and effect & junction with theMarines thereby cutting off SHURI from the south* The 49th Bn took over the

mission of providing direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt * The 31st and 48th Bnswere in general support. The 145th Bn of XXIV Corps Arty was gi^en the missionof reinforcing the 7th Inf Div in place of the 225th Bn which was displacing*Ln Planes were able to fly throughout the morning but were grounded late in t h eafternoon because of poor visibility Intermittent rains fell throughout theday* Four (4) ships with three (3) 'planes were available to the 7th Inf Divthroughout the day and provided i l luininati*

Weather cleared up but muddy roads hampered movement of troops and

vehicles* Visibility was sufficient to enable Ln Planes to adjust Arty fireon profitable targets which usually appeared after dawn and just prior to dusk*One (l) off cer from the 57th Bn died as a result of wounds sustained when hitby friendly strafing fire Leaflets were dropped directing enemy civilians tomove south dressed in white clothing* The 31st and 48th Bns established OPson Juniper Hill (8368 F), south of YQNABARU, The32nd Inf Regt continued toreceive fire from tho southern slopes of Conipal Hill* The 57th Bn had two (2)Howitzers oiit of action because of stripped lands and brokeh recoil mechanism^The Navy provided five (5) ships with Air Spot and two (2) groups of RocketBoats*

25 May 1945*

Continued rains made roads nearly impassible? all movement was greatlyrestricted. Visibility was poor* but some air observation missions wore flo-wn.Normal Barrage firod by the 49th Bn stopped a Jap night attack on ,tho 32nd InfRegty One (l)'Co of tho 184th Inf Regt on iKb !escarpmont at 83 8 V manaTgQd^ohold off a fierce Jap attack which was preceded by an intense mortar prepara-.tion* Arty fire succeeded in repulsing the attack, and tho Inf hold its posi-tion in spite of heavy casualties* Persistent Jap air attacks were made against

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OKINAWAthroughout the day* Friendly air succeeded in destroying over fifty(50) Jap planes of assorted make and model including one (l) bomber carryinga Jap suicide flying rocket. An enemy shell exploded an ammunition dump nearthe 48th Bn. The 57th Bn received about twenty (20) rounds of enemy Arty inits position with no damage inflicted* The 57th Bn had a 105mm Howitzer outof action because of stripped lands It was replaced by the Ordnance with atube from a medium tank. In addition to the 145th Bn, the 225th and 532nd Bnsprovided reinforcing fires against numerous enemy targets, The Navy providedfive (5) ships for Naval Gunfire, and LCI Rocket Boats which cdvered the sea-ward slopes of the hills in the Div sector* / ; ; , ' / < ~^ * ' ' * , - i ir\?6 M a y19A5; . . ' ' . '" ' :- ';'-- , - , , - , '

s , i " d

Heavy rains continued throughout the day grounding Arty Spotting Pianos,causing roads to become barely passable and making the use of tanks. mpossible.The 32nd Inf Regt conducted extensive patrols to the west in an effort to locateenemy positions* The 184th Inf Regt attacked to the south on the Div left flankto seize high ground south of the escarpment. In spite of poor visibility, muchenergy activities n & 3 &observed. Several columns of Jap troops and trucks weretaken under effective Arty fire while moving south. ICI Rocket Boats supportedthe advance of the 184th Inf Regt by neutralizing enemy positions along theshore, using 5* rockets. Five (5) ships provided Naval Gunfire support but poorvisibility hankered activities. The 49th Bn was reinforced by the fires of the31st, 225thj and 749th Bns throughout the day. One (l) Howitzer tube of the57th Bn became unsafe to fire because of stripped lands. The Ordnance deliveredone (l) new Howitzer to the 57th Bn to replace one (l) which had been out ofaction* Five (5) rounds of 150mm Arty fire fell in the area of the 57th Bn,causing no damage.

27 May 19A5*

The rains continued, the visibility was poor, the Inf moved forward todestroy isolated groups of Japs in caves in its push south. All Observers re-ported observing movements of the enemy, including tanks pulling Arty pieces.Ten (10) Bns of Arty were fired on an estimated five hundred (500) Japs movingsouth* Excellent results were reported* The 184th Inf Regt sent patrols athousand yards forward of the front lines against meager opposition* The 32ndInf Regt encountered intense mortar and machine gun fire as the enemy iiado veryeffort to halt the push westward which threatened to cut off his retreat fromhis SHORE position. The 48th and 57th Bns were ordered to displace to thevicinity of YONABARU.Btry "8% 48th Bn, completed its displacement to 8370 0by 1600 over nearly impassible roads* The Navy furnished four (4) ships forNaval Gunfire and two (2) LCI Gunboats which made a reconnaissance of the shore-line of the QHINENPeninsula adjusting Naval Gunfire on caves and emplacements.Small caliber air bursts fell in the areas of the 48th and 57th Bns during thenight. The 48th Bn had one (l) Howitzer out of action because of damaged lands.Ln Planes were able to fly six (6) missions during the day.

28 Ma

The Inf continued extensive patrolling to its fronts and the 184th InfRegt was able to advance south in, its sector. The remainder of the 48th Bncompleted its displacement to 8371 Q. The 57th Bn displaced to 8372 X. Theall ies were overcast and occasional showers fell throughout the day. Visibilitywas limited to several himq^^.fe.et, curtailing the use of Ln Planes which wereable to fly only four (4)/mDxs ipn0 , The 17th Inf Regt displaced one (l) Bnsouth of YONABARU.The ^ f & ^ r f ^ l ^ one' (l) Howitzer out of action because ofstripped lands. An Observer^ffii{/th^ 49th Bn' fired three (3) Bns on an esti-mated five hundred^ (500) Japs in tlfe/< en, causing a f eleast seventy five per-cent (75$) casualties among the enemy. v*fe%yy->poT^ foxar (4) 'Ships forNaval Gunfire. One (l) Navy Spotting Plane**ife# bM maged by enemy AA firebut managed to return to its s h i p c lest of the missions for the Navywere adjusted by liigh Performance Plane because the low ceiling forced thoplanes to fly too close to the ground where effective small arms fire endangeredthe slow flying Observation Plane. *

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2 . May

I Strong wind and heavy rains hampered operations against the enemy TheInf continued extensive patrolling to locate enemy dispositions. The 7th RenTrp dispatched a patrol along coast of CHIMBN Peninsula in the sector of the184th Inf Regt without encountering any well organised enemy opposition. Btrylf Bfl | 48th Bn, displaced to position just north of YONABARUoccupied by remainderof Bn* The 7th Div Arty CP displaced to 8476 I and th^ new OP opened at 1100*The 57th Bn established an OP at 836? A* All Ln Planes were grounded throughoutthe day* The ,48th Bn discovered mines in its Bn area and one (1) man was woundedslightly when hit by fragments from an enemy Arty shell which fell in the Bnarea* Observers from the 31st Bn adjusted the 8 n Howitzers on three (3) 150mmguns which were reported destroyed by direct hits. The Navy provided five (5)ships and one (l) LCI for shore bombardment in the sector of the 7th Inf Div

0 Ma 1945?

The 32nd Inf Regt resumed its attack west toward Mable Hill (8063 G)The 17th Inf Regt completed its mo ve to assembly areas in rear of the 32nd InfReg t - and 184th Inf Regt* The 184th Inf Regt straightened out its lines in pre-paration for continuing its attack to the south. The 7th Ren' Trp sent patrolsto locate enemy dispositions, and encountered very few Japs f The 96th Inf Divfinally began to move forward in its sector, thus clearing the way for the 32ndInf Regt to advance .to Mable Hill. The 49th Bn was ordered to displace to thevicinity of YQMBARU,31 May 1945, and the 48th Bn took over the mission ofproviding direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt during the displacement . Visi-bility was so poor planes were not able to operate throughout the day. TheNavy provided five (5) ships and one (1) LSM to provide fire support to the7th Inf Div . Their use was limited to harassing fire due to lack of visibility*One (1) officer of the 57th Bn was seriously injured by a Jap grenade which fellat his feet after he had killed a Jap soldier hiding in the vicinity of an OPmanned by the 57th Bn* The 57th Bn received a new tube to replace one vtrhich hadbeen out of action.

1 May 1945:

The 7th Inf Div patrolled to the southeast, south and southwest. The32nd Inf Regt attacked at 0910 to seize Mable Hill (8063 G) to the west. MableHill was secured by 1310. The 77th and 96th Inf Pivs reached their objectives.The 96th Inf Div received orders to take over the sector occupied by the 32ndInf Regt and to continue the attack south. The 17th Inf Regt went into positionon Hill 106 (8267 U) and Hill 69 (8167 V) relieving elements of the 32nd and

184th la^f Regts in that sector. XXIV Corps Arty reinforced the fires of the7th Div Arty, Btry I! B% 49th Bn, completed its displacement to XOMABARU(8270 Y). One (1) off cer of the 49th Bn was killed by a fragment from anenemy morta r* shell passing through his heart while he was in his foxhole. One(l) other man v/as ounded* -Visibility was excellent in the morning and nine(9) missions were flown by the Ln PJLanoSi Planes were grounded in the af or-noon due to lack of visibility* Five (5) ships and .two (2) LSMs provided NavalGunfire support for the 7th Inf Div during the day*

IJu^e 1945i

The 32nd Inf Regt was relieved by elements of the 96th Inf Div and re~

verted to Div reserve* The 48th Bn was relieved of furnishing direct supportto the 32nd Inf Regt and was assigned the mission of direct support to the 17thInf Regt. The 17th Inf Regt attacked ; in column of Bns and succeeded in captur-ing Hills 75 (8266 F) and 88 (8266 I) against slight opposition. By nightfallthe 17th Inf Regt had secured Hill 117 18266 U). Btry A , 31st Bn, displacedto 8270 Y, Btry A , 49th Bn, displaced to 8270 P. Due to, pop? visibility,Ln Pianos were not able to fly in the morning. FieS) missions \iere fowx

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in the afternoon* XXIV Corps Arty increased the allowance of ammunition autho-

rised to be expended to 0*5 units of fire* However/with the roads, rapidly/be-coming impassible, ammunition supply w a s *becoming l - c r i t i c a l * The Navy p romised \ -to unload an ICT of ammunition at YONABARU,but between Red Alerts and a sporadic' 1

shelling of YONABARU,no LOT ventured to beach* The 419th FA Gp was relievedof reinforcing the 7th Div Arty* The 225th Bn was assigned the mission o f re-inforcing the 7th Div Arty while the 145th Bn was assigned.the missipn of re in-*forcing the 7th Div Arty and 96th Div Arty with priority to the 96th Div Ariy^The Navy furnished six (6) ships and five (5) LCI Rocket Boats* The LGIs sail-ing around the southern end of the island fired rockets, 40mm and 20mm guns atenemy activities along the coast denying the Japs the use of coast road s*

2 June 1


43/79

tanks were destroyed by fires of the 43th and 145th Bos, The Navy provided four(4) ships and five (5) LCIs in support of the 7th Inf Div which fired on smallgroups of troops, tanks and trucks Night harassing missions were firedthroughout the night.

June

The 17th Inf Regt drove through ARAGUSUKU (8162) and secured Hill 93(8161 D) following an effective Arty concentration. The 184th Inf Regt assistedthe 17th Inf Regt in securing Hill 93 and continued the advance to secure hillmass at 8161 FGL. The 32nd Inf Regt continued mopping up operations in theCHINEN-MURAPeninsula* The 4Sth Bn, less Btry "B", began displacing to thevicinity of FUNAKUSHI(8264 N) over almost impassible roads/ Btry I TC " , 31stBn, commen ced displacing by section to 8374 U * By nightfall it had succeededin pulling one (l) 155mm Howitaer several hundred yards to the road* The 49thBn was relieved of providing direct support to the 32nd Inf Regt and assignedthe mission of reinforcing the fires of the 57th Bm During the displacementof the 48th Bn, the 57th Bn was assigned the mission of providing direct supportof the 17th Inf Regt* Rain and po or visibility hampered observation by LnPlanes* Two (2) reconnaissance missions, four (4) propaganda leaflet dropmissions and six (6) mail and supply drop missions were flown* Four (4) shipsand five (5) LC s provided Naval Gunfire for the 7th Inf D i vf - Over five hundred(500) rounds of 5 I! ammunition were placed on the eastern slopes of the escarp-ment in the sector of the 184th Inf Regt

6 June 1945:

The 17th Inf Regt drove to the outskirts of TOMUI (7964) and consolidated

gains ranging from five hundred (500) yards on the left flank to eight hundredt800) yards on the right flank* The 184th Inf Regt , with two Bns abreast, re-sumed determined drive southwest against stiff enemy opposition. The 32nd InfRegt patrolled the CHINEN-MtJRAPeninsula rounding up civilians hiding in caves*The 48th Bn took over direct support missions of 17th Inf Regt. Btry "B", 57thBn, displaced to new positions near TOIAMA(836! 0). The 155mm Howitzer Bns .of XXIV Corps Arty could not furnish support to the 7th Inf Div because theywere out of range* The road north of YONABARUwas totally impassible to allvehicles* Ammunition and supplies had to be unloaded at IONABARUfrom smallboats. The visibility was excelle/it with the sun shining for the first time indays* The Ln Planes flew two (2) mail drop missions, two (2) special recon-naissance missions, and eight (8) observation missions. One (l) Cruiser, two

(2) Destroyers, and five (5) LCIs provided Naval Gunfire support during the day,firing on personnel in the open, heavily fortified emplacements and one (1)75mm gun which was being m o v e d *

7 June 194$:

The 17th Inf Regt registered moderate gains against tenacious enemygroups defending from extremely well constructed positions. The 184th Inf Regtpushed the enemy out of GUSHICHAW(8160) and vdped out pockets of resistance onHill 53 (8260 L) The 32nd Inf Regt, in Division reserve, patrolled the CHINEN-MURAPeninsula* Elements of the 32nd Inf Regt landed on 0-SBIMA (8461) complet-ing seizure of that island. Btry "B", .43th Bn, displaced to 8264 M * 57th Bn,

less Btry B , displaced to 8361 0. Bfcry " A*1

* 49th Bn displaced to 836! T.The remaining three (3) Bns of the 96th Div Arty displaced south* One (1) Btryof 8 l r Howitzers and one (1) Bn of 155 Howitzers displaced south to positionsfrom which they were within effective Arty range. One (l) platoon of Btry "C",31st Bn, was in position and ready to fire near Hill 178, One (1) officer witha FO Party from the 57th Bn was woun ded* Visibility was fair and the Ln Planesflew too (2) supply drop missions, one (l) mail d rop mission, three (3) recon-naissance missions and thirteen (13) observation missions. Considerable enemyArty fell in the front lines of the Inf* Three (3) ships and five (5) LCIs

/& . - ::

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44/79

25 (8159 B )

41g S T R I P

!! 211 A _ RT I

(8361 XX)

Photos by T f c h Div Arty Air Sec.


45/79


46/79

provided, Naval Gunfire, support Targets fired on consisted of small groups of

troops, trucks and supplies* The LCIs providing close support to the left flankof the 184th Inf Regt were fired on by enemy mortars and machine guns.

8 June 194,5:

Against intense enemy resistance, the 17th Inf Regt pushed forward tothe TOMUI-GUSHICHANRoad and the adjacent valley. The 184th Inf Regt consoli-dated minor gains in its sector against desperate enemy resistance The terrainin enemy hands was particularly well suited for defense* Excellent observationand fields of fire .from the base, sides and top of the YAEJU-DAKB escarpmentlimited the attacker to minor gains after a large expenditure of Arty ammunition*The enemy had constructed virtually impregnable defenses consisting of concrete

pillboxes boneath coral outcropping and boulders which Arty fire could not de-stroy vdthout an exorbitant expenditure of ammunition* The terrain had appar-ently boon used by the Japs as a training and demonstration area for all typesof field fortifications* The soft ground following the heavy rains precludedthe use of tanks until the ground dried u p and the roads became usable* The32nd Inf Regt began relieving the 184th Inf Regt and completed th& relief bydusk* The 49th Bn* less Btry ft A! l . displaced to 836! T from which po sition ittook over direct support of the 32nd Inf Regt, The 57th Bn was assigned themission of providing reinforcing fires to the 49th Bn* The weather was clearbut visibility over the target area was restricted by low flying clouds andsmoke from Arty shelling* The Air Section flew one (l) mail d rop mission* two(2) photo drop missions* one (1) reconnaissance mission, and thirteen (13 )

observation missions* Three (3) ships and five (5) LCIs provided Naval Gunfiresupport* An estimated two hundred (200) Japs were decimated by a ten (10)minute five (5) gun salvo vrioich caught them as they were emerging from a groupof oaves. A tremendous explosion which blew av/ay part of a ridge occurred whenfire was adjusted on a large c a v e * Two (2) small field p ieces wore destroyed,

9 Juno 1945;

In bitter fighting beneath the enemy held IAEJU-DAKE escarpment, the17th Inf Regt scored moderate but important gains against heavy resistanceThe 32nd Inf Regt launched an attack at 0730 which encounterod accurate ^nomyfire o all types from commanding enemy positions on the escarpment and Hill 95

(8159 B)* The 184th Inf Regt, in Div reserve, commenced patrolling and!moppingup operations in rear of the front lines. The visibility continued fair andthe Ln Planes flew one (l) mail drop mission, one (1) photo drop mission andthirteen (13) observation missions* Four (4; ships and five (5) LCIs prov idedNaval Gunfire, A heavy preparation was placed on Hill 95 prior to Inf attack*One (l) 75mm gun, one (l) larger caliber gun, three (3) machine guns and six(6) trucks were destroyed*

10 June 1945s ,

The 17J|i Inf Reg t engaged in savage fighting throughout the day and madeonly Iimited/g4i^ _ The 32nd Inf Regt, by utilizing flame thrower tanks and

supporting j&'$&$* inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. Flame throwingtanks utililn type extension hoses fired into cave openings and aperatureswhich drove the ^fef%ttdors into the .open where they were annihilated by riflefire at point blank rfeftge.* Th6 7th DiArty GP displaced to 836! M by utilising

: LV Ts to move along the b e a c h * ^ >j^romS0f! ^ONABAR and then by truck to newposition* One (l| XXIV Corps Bn'of l &vdtaers displaced to p

7th infantry division artillery - report of ryukus campaign (iceberg operation) - 1 april 1945-30...

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