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Oct-Nov. 1942:
There was a strange matrix occurring in Papua between soldiers of US 32nd Infantry Division (National Guardsmen from small towns around Green Bay, #Wisconsin and Grand Rapids, #Michigan) and the local Eva’embo “Salt-Water People” of the Orokaiva Papuans.
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Oct-Nov. 1942:
There was a strange matrix occurring in Papua between soldiers of US 32nd Infantry Division (National Guardsmen from small towns around Green Bay, #Wisconsin and Grand Rapids, #Michigan) and the local Eva’embo “Salt-Water People” of the Orokaiva Papuans.
1/9
As the Australian 7 Div struggled north towards the enemy beachheads, the US 32d “Red Arrow” Division had quietly arrived on the lower northeast Papuan coast around Wanigela.
Until 15 Nov Japanese HQ of 6,000 garrison troops was oblivious to the approaching American presence.
2/9
Until 15 Nov Japanese HQ of 6,000 garrison troops was oblivious to the approaching American presence.
2/9
These waters could only take small craft, able to get through the Papuan coast’s numerous shallow reefs.
Small Australian trawlers under US Army Command brought supplies forward to Wanigela.
Then just eight 20-ton luggers carried men and supplies around Cape Nelson to Pongani.
3/
Small Australian trawlers under US Army Command brought supplies forward to Wanigela.
Then just eight 20-ton luggers carried men and supplies around Cape Nelson to Pongani.
3/
The first two luggers were soon attacked by a USAAF B-25.
Two men were killed:
Lt. A. B. Fahnestock, OIC of all Small Ship operations;
Byron Darnton, veteran reporter of The New York Times.
He had served with the 32d Div in WWI, and had been keen to report its actions in WWII.
4/
Two men were killed:
Lt. A. B. Fahnestock, OIC of all Small Ship operations;
Byron Darnton, veteran reporter of The New York Times.
He had served with the 32d Div in WWI, and had been keen to report its actions in WWII.
4/
Many other servicemen were wounded; first 32 ID casualties in Papua.
Both boats were lost.
The rookie 1/128 Regt corpsmen frantically dealt with the effects of friendly fire.
Despite this poor start, the coastal shuttle continued to operate resolutely through October-November.
5/
Both boats were lost.
The rookie 1/128 Regt corpsmen frantically dealt with the effects of friendly fire.
Despite this poor start, the coastal shuttle continued to operate resolutely through October-November.
5/
No piers or jetties were available and no lighters.
To unload the six remaining luggers, cargo was hauled onto local outrigger canoes, rowboats, or canvas-sided engineer boats.
Rough piers were hand-built using rough local timber.
A captured 21-ton enemy barge was put to use.
6/
To unload the six remaining luggers, cargo was hauled onto local outrigger canoes, rowboats, or canvas-sided engineer boats.
Rough piers were hand-built using rough local timber.
A captured 21-ton enemy barge was put to use.
6/
Due to Japanese air attacks luggers operated nightly. American Quartermaster troops took to the sea, aided wherever possible by Orokaiva men and local troops.
From dusk to dawn, Americans and Papuans repeatedly pushed the tiny craft through waves, over coral, manually unloaded.7/
From dusk to dawn, Americans and Papuans repeatedly pushed the tiny craft through waves, over coral, manually unloaded.7/
With the Orokaivas’ help, the GIs struggled through each night without rest in order to move again before daylight. Here the young men from Wisconsin and Michigan, the most advanced nation in the world, put their trust and lives in the hands of these skilled local village men.
8/
8/
16 Nov: Three offshore fully-loaded luggers and the barge were totally destroyed by 18 Zeroes.
Maj Gen Harding, CO of 32 ID, and Col. Handy had to dive o/board and swim for their lives.
Man by man, piece by piece, the Americans prepared to engage the waiting enemy garrison.
END
Maj Gen Harding, CO of 32 ID, and Col. Handy had to dive o/board and swim for their lives.
Man by man, piece by piece, the Americans prepared to engage the waiting enemy garrison.
END
