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Warning Graphic video :
The Battle of Hill 700.
By the turn of the year from 1943 to 1944, the Japanese commander on Bougainville, General Harukichi Hyakutake, determined that the Americans were going to ignore his forces on the northern end of the island, and just hold the perimeter around Empress Augusta Bay. He resolved to attack and capture the fields there with his troops. However, he lacked the ability to move the needed number of troops by sea, and such an attack would run into American planes and ships operating out of the Bay. So, he decided to move his troops overland, along the ridges central to the island, and through the dense jungles. He sent 15,000 men, along with most of the field artillery on the island, to make the attack. The Americans had learned well- it’s better to let the enemy walk through malarial jungles and stretch their supply lines, and the Japanese suffered heavily in terms of malnutrition and disease, on the march down the island.
The American perimeter was held by two divisions: the western half by the 37th Division, the eastern half by the Americal Division. Each division held two regiments on the line, with one in reserve, along with a Marine detachment in overall reserve, along with artillery support from an Army coastal defense artillery battalion and several destroyers. Overall, the Japanese attack seemed hopeless on paper- too few men against prepared positions- but, odd things do happen in war.
The Japanese planned a series of attacks against American positions along the perimeter over the course of March 8th to March 11th, opening holes in the defensive perimeter before coordinating an attack on the airfields and shore supply dump, forcing the surrender of the Americans ashore. The first attack would come at dawn against Hill 700, held by elements of the 37th Division.
Across the valley from Hill 700 stood several hills, many of which actually overlooked 700. From there, the Japanese launched artillery attacks not only against Hill 700, but against emplacements in the rear and against the airfields as well. Japanese gunnery was poor, but the random nature of the firing raised tension among the American troops. The 37th Division sent forward patrols to those nearby hills, who came back and reported thousands of Japanese troops in the area, moving on the hill. American artillery began attacking the enemy troop concentrations, killing many, but not quite enough. The Japanese moved into the shadow of Hill 700, too close to American positions to allow for heavy American artillery bombardment.
Rain and fog dominated the jungle, making observation difficult. Throughout the day, as the Japanese concentrated, forward Japanese units tried to infiltrate into and through the American positions. Others exchanged rifle and mortar fire with the Americans until night fell. Once night fell, the Japanese attack began. Using explosives, the Japanese blasted holes into the barbed wire, and, supported by artillery, the Japanese made a series of attacks against the American position. The fighting was so intense one forward observer called artillery on his own position several times, while pockets of American troops fought hand to hand, and machineguns in pillboxes ripped through the night.
In the end, though, the Japanese attack was largely successful, gaining several important points on the hill and knocking out several pillboxes. The Japanese attackers quickly dug in over the rest of the night, fortifying their gains. At dawn, the Japanese planned to continue the attack, however, American artillery bombardments against the new Japanese positions quickly dissuaded them. Instead, the Japanese concentrated on preparing for the American counterattack, which came at midmorning on the 9th. This attack ran into the prepared Japanese positions, got pinned down, and then cut up badly by Japanese artillery. It took concentrated counterbattery fire by the Americans to extricate the troops, who fell back.
A night attack was successful at first, only to discover that the reverse slope of Hill 700 was riddled with Japanese defenders. Further Japanese reinforcements also came up in the night, stopping the American advance. The next day, the Americans brought up even more firepower, including heavy anti-aircraft guns that fired directly on the pillboxes held by the Japanese. A massive air raid swept over the top of the hill, and naval gunfire plastered the positions all day on the 10th. That evening, the Americans launched a strong attack against the Japanese position, hoping to retake the top of the hill and most of the pillboxes there. While the Americans hoped to waltz into the place, the Japanese were in much stronger shape than they had realized. Despite this, the Americans continued to gain ground.
To reinforce the beleaguered Japanese defenders, the rest of the Japanese force in the area organized a series of Banzai attacks against the Americans. These attacks both went into the Japanese held area, and against the American held flanks of the position. Heavy American firepower hammered the assault, but, still the Japanese came, running over and through the fallen bodies of their comrades. By dawn, the attack had broken up, but the Japanese held many of their positions.
The 11th found both sides rather exhausted by the previous three days of fighting, and it was a slow day- both sides attempted to bring in reinforcements, to prevent enemy efforts to reinforce, and bring supplies up. Later in the day, the Americans launched a slow, methodical attack trying to reduce each pillbox in turn. These attacks continued to the 12th, and, by midafternoon, the men of the Buckeye Division had restored the perimeter, with the Japanese in front of them either dead or falling back in disarray.
While this was going on, the Japanese made their other attacks against the American Perimeter. These attacks went on for the next two weeks, with the Japanese able to make lodgements in the American lines that were slowly, but surely, overwhelmed and retaken. The remaining Japanese forces linked up together into one force for one last attack on March 23rd, which the Americans knew to expect. The survivors of the attack scattered in to the jungle, pursued by US and Fijian troops to keep them off the American perimeter.
In the end, the Americans suffered 263 men killed, and about 1000 wounded. The Japanese losses were much heavier- 3500 killed, another 5000 wounded. The Japanese wouldn’t be able to threaten the American perimeter, which soon expanded with the 93rd Division, the first African American troops to arrive in the Pacific Theatre, joined the perimeter. In November, the Australians brought in two more divisions, and began working to clear the island- a task that wasn’t complete before the end of the war.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/anything-else/2016/09/74009/the-battle-of-hill-700-1944-the-11w-military-history-series
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Campaign
Additional video footage :
https://youtu.be/TRi_EQoSW7U
https://youtu.be/wJVR1iEmvBs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. LTC (Join to see) Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SrA Christopher B. SFC William Farrell SSG Robert Webster @ sgt randy Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Jim Arnold SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Mark Kuzinski @ cpl dave CPL Dave Hoover SPC Mike Lake PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Alan K.
The Battle of Hill 700.
By the turn of the year from 1943 to 1944, the Japanese commander on Bougainville, General Harukichi Hyakutake, determined that the Americans were going to ignore his forces on the northern end of the island, and just hold the perimeter around Empress Augusta Bay. He resolved to attack and capture the fields there with his troops. However, he lacked the ability to move the needed number of troops by sea, and such an attack would run into American planes and ships operating out of the Bay. So, he decided to move his troops overland, along the ridges central to the island, and through the dense jungles. He sent 15,000 men, along with most of the field artillery on the island, to make the attack. The Americans had learned well- it’s better to let the enemy walk through malarial jungles and stretch their supply lines, and the Japanese suffered heavily in terms of malnutrition and disease, on the march down the island.
The American perimeter was held by two divisions: the western half by the 37th Division, the eastern half by the Americal Division. Each division held two regiments on the line, with one in reserve, along with a Marine detachment in overall reserve, along with artillery support from an Army coastal defense artillery battalion and several destroyers. Overall, the Japanese attack seemed hopeless on paper- too few men against prepared positions- but, odd things do happen in war.
The Japanese planned a series of attacks against American positions along the perimeter over the course of March 8th to March 11th, opening holes in the defensive perimeter before coordinating an attack on the airfields and shore supply dump, forcing the surrender of the Americans ashore. The first attack would come at dawn against Hill 700, held by elements of the 37th Division.
Across the valley from Hill 700 stood several hills, many of which actually overlooked 700. From there, the Japanese launched artillery attacks not only against Hill 700, but against emplacements in the rear and against the airfields as well. Japanese gunnery was poor, but the random nature of the firing raised tension among the American troops. The 37th Division sent forward patrols to those nearby hills, who came back and reported thousands of Japanese troops in the area, moving on the hill. American artillery began attacking the enemy troop concentrations, killing many, but not quite enough. The Japanese moved into the shadow of Hill 700, too close to American positions to allow for heavy American artillery bombardment.
Rain and fog dominated the jungle, making observation difficult. Throughout the day, as the Japanese concentrated, forward Japanese units tried to infiltrate into and through the American positions. Others exchanged rifle and mortar fire with the Americans until night fell. Once night fell, the Japanese attack began. Using explosives, the Japanese blasted holes into the barbed wire, and, supported by artillery, the Japanese made a series of attacks against the American position. The fighting was so intense one forward observer called artillery on his own position several times, while pockets of American troops fought hand to hand, and machineguns in pillboxes ripped through the night.
In the end, though, the Japanese attack was largely successful, gaining several important points on the hill and knocking out several pillboxes. The Japanese attackers quickly dug in over the rest of the night, fortifying their gains. At dawn, the Japanese planned to continue the attack, however, American artillery bombardments against the new Japanese positions quickly dissuaded them. Instead, the Japanese concentrated on preparing for the American counterattack, which came at midmorning on the 9th. This attack ran into the prepared Japanese positions, got pinned down, and then cut up badly by Japanese artillery. It took concentrated counterbattery fire by the Americans to extricate the troops, who fell back.
A night attack was successful at first, only to discover that the reverse slope of Hill 700 was riddled with Japanese defenders. Further Japanese reinforcements also came up in the night, stopping the American advance. The next day, the Americans brought up even more firepower, including heavy anti-aircraft guns that fired directly on the pillboxes held by the Japanese. A massive air raid swept over the top of the hill, and naval gunfire plastered the positions all day on the 10th. That evening, the Americans launched a strong attack against the Japanese position, hoping to retake the top of the hill and most of the pillboxes there. While the Americans hoped to waltz into the place, the Japanese were in much stronger shape than they had realized. Despite this, the Americans continued to gain ground.
To reinforce the beleaguered Japanese defenders, the rest of the Japanese force in the area organized a series of Banzai attacks against the Americans. These attacks both went into the Japanese held area, and against the American held flanks of the position. Heavy American firepower hammered the assault, but, still the Japanese came, running over and through the fallen bodies of their comrades. By dawn, the attack had broken up, but the Japanese held many of their positions.
The 11th found both sides rather exhausted by the previous three days of fighting, and it was a slow day- both sides attempted to bring in reinforcements, to prevent enemy efforts to reinforce, and bring supplies up. Later in the day, the Americans launched a slow, methodical attack trying to reduce each pillbox in turn. These attacks continued to the 12th, and, by midafternoon, the men of the Buckeye Division had restored the perimeter, with the Japanese in front of them either dead or falling back in disarray.
While this was going on, the Japanese made their other attacks against the American Perimeter. These attacks went on for the next two weeks, with the Japanese able to make lodgements in the American lines that were slowly, but surely, overwhelmed and retaken. The remaining Japanese forces linked up together into one force for one last attack on March 23rd, which the Americans knew to expect. The survivors of the attack scattered in to the jungle, pursued by US and Fijian troops to keep them off the American perimeter.
In the end, the Americans suffered 263 men killed, and about 1000 wounded. The Japanese losses were much heavier- 3500 killed, another 5000 wounded. The Japanese wouldn’t be able to threaten the American perimeter, which soon expanded with the 93rd Division, the first African American troops to arrive in the Pacific Theatre, joined the perimeter. In November, the Australians brought in two more divisions, and began working to clear the island- a task that wasn’t complete before the end of the war.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/anything-else/2016/09/74009/the-battle-of-hill-700-1944-the-11w-military-history-series
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Campaign
Additional video footage :
https://youtu.be/TRi_EQoSW7U
https://youtu.be/wJVR1iEmvBs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. LTC (Join to see) Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SrA Christopher B. SFC William Farrell SSG Robert Webster @ sgt randy Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Jim Arnold SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Mark Kuzinski @ cpl dave CPL Dave Hoover SPC Mike Lake PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Alan K.
WWII World War Two
Military History
World History
Infantry
Posted >1 y ago
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Great history there John. Thanks for posting
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SrA Christopher Wright Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl (Join to see) Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth LTC (Join to see) MSG Frederick Otero SFC Pete Kain SSG David Andrews LCDR (Join to see) PO1 Tony Holland SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Jim Arnold SFC William H. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT Charles H. Hawes CPL Dave Hoover TSgt Joe C.
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SrA Christopher Wright Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl (Join to see) Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth LTC (Join to see) MSG Frederick Otero SFC Pete Kain SSG David Andrews LCDR (Join to see) PO1 Tony Holland SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Jim Arnold SFC William H. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT Charles H. Hawes CPL Dave Hoover TSgt Joe C.
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Thanks for sharing my friend SGT John " Mac " McConnell
Images: 1944-03 Japanese Counterattack on Bougainville Hill 7000 in March 1944 map; 1944-03 Enemy dead killed while defending their position in a pillbox on Hill 700; 1944-03 Wounded soldier being helped down the side of Hill 700 by two medical aidmen; 1944-03-23 US 129th Inf Reg advance with tanks on Bougainville as Japanese survivors of the attack scattered in to the jungle.jpg
Background on the campaign:
"Attack on Bougainville 1 Nov 1943
The next target with the Island Hopping campaign was the island of Bougainville, a former German colony that was mandated to Australia in 1919 after WW1. Nearly the entire 130-mile by 30-mile area was dense jungle, with a exception of a small coastal plain at the southern end. The Japanese Bougainville garrison totalled 60,000 men, deployed on Bougainville, Shortlands, Buka, and Treasury islands. There were a total of five military airfields under Japanese control. To attack Bougainville, Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet and Admiral Fitch's land-based aircraft went into MacArthur's jurisdiction. The amphibious force consisted of Major General Roy Geiger's US Marines.
To soften the landings, American aircraft bombed the five Japanese airfields late in October. Although these bombings confused the Japanese in that they could not determine where the Americans would strike next, the bombings were a bit overrated as over 200 aircraft were still operational for the defenders at the time of the landings. Admiral Koga decided to deploy 173 aircraft, taken away from the precious carriers, to the area in determination to destroy the next wave of American attackers by air power. This defense plan was Operation RO.
Treasury Islands was attacked by New Zealand troops on 17 Oct, with the goal of gaining a logistical base for further Bougainville actions. On the main island of Mono, well dug-in machine gun nests were giving Allied troops a difficult time. Captain Robert Briscoe of the light cruiser Denver recalled how the landing troops took care of this obstacle in a brutal and unorthodox manner:
They closed the front doors and this twenty-ton bulldozer, which happened to be one of the first pieces of equipment out, this man manned his bulldozer and lifted his blade up to give him protection in his cab and trundled out, dropped his blade in front of the strong point and in about ten minutes had covered the whole place over to a depth of about six feet. And then, not being satisfied, he rode back and forth over it and trampled it down well and covered up the entire strong point, and from that time on there was no further opposition to that particular landing.
ww2dbaseThe Treasury Islands were under Allied control by 6 Nov.
On 1 Nov 1943, the Americans landed a large amphibious force on Bougainville under the command of Major General Turnage of the US Marines. The landing force was counterattacked by two waves of air attacks, but to no significant impact. The Japanese forces at the particular landing site totaled less than 300, therefore posing only a small threat despite the carefully laid machine gun cross fire and artillery. Once the forces headed inland, however, the difficulty began. The Marines soon found out that the naval bombardment "had accomplished nothing", as noted in Marine Corps' official history. The men faced Japanese defenders well entrenched and well hidden in the dense tropical jungles.
With the attack on Bougainville taking place, he Americans expected a vigorous response from the Japanese from the sea, and indeed response was given. Admiral Sentaro Omori sortied from Rabaul at once with a powerful surface force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers. The American Task Force 39 was under the command of Rear Admiral Stanton Merrill. Having sent most of their assault transports out of the danger zone before nightfall, Merrill awaited the Japanese with four light cruisers and eight destroyers. The advantage in both gunfire and torpedoes clearly lay with the Japanese.
Fortunately for the Americans, the Japanese force was a 'pick-up' team which hadn't practiced together, and Omori tried playing a game that was a little over his head. Confused by conflicting reports he was receiving from his scout planes as to the composition of the American force to his south, he executed a series of 180-degree turns (in pitch blackness) which were designed to give his aircraft more time to bring him information. Instead, all they did was throw his squadron into disarray, leaving his screening force far out of position, just as the Americans arrived on the scene. The Americans, coming upon the Japanese screen, launched torpedoes first, and then opened with the cruisers' 6-inch guns. The Japanese screening force, upon spotting American destroyers, tried desperately to evade the torpedoes they knew to be in the water, and ended up either colliding with each other or suffering near-misses. Sendai nearly hit Shigure, and Samidare sideswiped Shiratsuyu, staving in her hull and putting her out of the fight. Sendai was then buried in 6-inch gunfire.
Omori tried bringing his main body into the battle. This only succeeded in causing further collisions, as Myoko tore Hatsukaze's bow off, and Haguro nearly hit two other destroyers. A brief, inconclusive fight followed between the two Japanese heavies and the four American lights. Although the Japanese launched a large salvo of torpedoes, they were ineffective. The Americans achieved several gunfire straddles, but failed to hit their targets. At 0229 Omori ordered a general withdrawal. The Americans found the hapless Hatsukaze (Myoko was still wearing her bow when she returned to Rabaul) and sank her with gunfire.
The Japanese had clearly lost this fight, failing to bring their heavy units to bear conclusively, and wiping out most of their own screening destroyers through their own ill-considered maneuvers. The invasion of Bougainville would not be stopped this night. For his defeat, Omori was relieved of his command upon returning to Rabaul.
During the first week of Nov 1943, while the Americans raided Rabaul (see New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3), Americans reinforced their beachhead on Bougainville, while the Japanese sneaked two convoys by the Americans ships to land more troops on the northern tip of the island. The aircraft Koga ordered to reinforce the area were sent on air raids to disrupt American operations, but no little effect, while wearing away irreplaceable Japanese pilots. However, the usual practice of exaggerating damange reports led to Koga's declaration of Operation RO a success, and received a personal word of thanks from Emperor Showa. American progress on Bougainville slowed during the rest of Nov 1943.
Battle of Empress Augusta Bay 1-2 Nov 1943
On 1 Nov, the US 3rd Marine Division invaded the beaches of Empress Augusta Bay, backed by four light cruisers and eight destroyers. As a response, a powerful naval force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers sailed from Rabaul steamed with air cover under the command of Admiral Sentaro Omori. The Americans made radar contact at 0230 in the morning of 2 Nov and immediately launched a destroyer torpedo attack. The Japanese fleet dodged the torpedo run, but in turn the formation was scattered. At 0250, American cruisers opened fire, quickly disabling cruiser Sendai. A series of Japanese mis-maneuvers led to two collisions; it was not until 0313 that the Japanese fleet pulled together and began firing on the American ships. The battle did not last long after that point as the American ships turned and withdrew from the battle. While the battle was rather inconclusive, the Americans achieved their goal in preventing Japanese interference with the operation.
This engagement was also known as Battle of Gazelle Bay, Operation Cherry Blossom, and the Sea Battle of Bougainville Bay Shore.
Battle of Cape St. George
26 Nov 1943
With the Americans now consolidating their hold over Bougainville, the Japanese began beefing up troops and supplies on the island of Buka. On November 25, they put together yet another 'Tokyo Express' of five destroyers, three of them laden with troops, and sent them out of Rabaul. This force was commanded by Captain Kiyoto Kagawa. Waiting for them were six American destroyers. The Japanese succeeded in dropping off their loads at Buka, but trouble began on the way back home.
American Navy Captain Arleigh Burke's radar spotted the Japanese first, allowing the Americans to close and launch torpedoes without being initially detected. Both of the Japanese screening destroyers were hit, sinking the Onami and crippling the Makinami. The Americans then closed in on the destroyer-transports, who scattered and ran for it. Yugiri didn't make it, being pounded by several opponents. The crippled Makinami was also sunk. The American forces tried a stern chase of the other two fleeing Japanese destroyers, but were unable to catch them.
No realized it at the time, but this was the last 'Tokyo Express', and the last surface fight in the Solomon Islands. Freed from screening duties, US destroyers had again held their own against their vaunted Japanese adversaries. There would be no more major naval battles until the invasion of Saipan in the Mariana Islands.
Solomon Islands Campaign Timeline
29 Oct 1943 US Task Force 38 sortied from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides in support of the Bouganville, Solomon Islands invasion.
1 Nov 1943 Men of the US 3rd Marine Division landed at Torokina Point on the northern coast of Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; the beach was defended only by a small 300-strong garrison, but the effective Japanese defense surprised the attackers. In response of the invasion, Japanese aircraft from Rabaul, New Britain, attacked the US fleet, damaging destroyer USS Wadsworth (killing 2), but at the heavy cost of 16 A6M fighters lost. The Japanese dispatched a counter-invasion force consisted of Cruiser Division 4 (Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita) and transports carrying thousands of troops; the fleet was en route to Rabaul when it was detected by a B-24 Liberator bomber (Lieutenant Robert Sylvernale) while heading toward the western approach of Saint George's Channel between New Britain and New Ireland.
2 Nov 1943 Four Japanese cruisers and six destroyers sortied out of Rabaul, New Britain to attack the US Marine invasion of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. 75 B-25 bombers escorted by 80 P-38 fighters attacked this fleet just out of Rabaul, damaging cruiser Hajuro, damaging cruiser Myoko, sinking one submarine chaser, destroying 18 aircraft, damaging destroyer Shirasuyu, and damaging a number of smaller vessels; the Americans lost 8 B-25 and 9 P-38 aircraft in combat, plus more to be written off due to battle damage. The Japanese fleet, sailing at a reduced speed, engaged American warships at 0230 hours in Empress Augusta Bay. The Americans struck first, scattering the Japanese formation, but the Japanese were able to regroup and forced the American ships to withdraw. Though the action was inconclusive, the Japanese failed to disrupt American operations on Bougainville.
12 Nov 1943 At 0400 hours, 9 G4M and 5 B5N aircraft attacked a convoy of LST and converted destroyer-transport vessels in the Solomon Islands, sinking destroyer-transport USS McKean but also losing 4 B5N aircraft in combat. 1 G4M and 1 B5N aircraft suffered heavy damage but were able to return to Rabaul, New Britain. In the late morning, 10 D3A and 55 A6M aircraft, also from Rabaul, attacked an American convoy in the Solomon Islands. 10 Japanese aircraft were shot down; minimal damage was inflicted to the American vessels.
25 Nov 1943 The Battle of Cape St. George took place near Buka Island north of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands; three Japanese destroyers were sunk at the end of what was to be the final surface battle of the Solomon Islands campaign.
10 Dec 1943 Torokina Airfield at Bougainville, Solomon Islands was declared fully operational after a short 40-day construction. 17 F4U aircraft of US Marine Corps squadron VMF-216 became the first to officially arrive at the airfield, although the airfield had already received two unscheduled emergency landings on 24 Nov 1943 and 8 Dec 1943.
8 Mar 1944 Battle of Hill 700: Japanese troops began a 5-day offensive against US positions at Bougainville.
24 Mar 1944 Japanese troops mounted an unsuccessful suicide charge on Bougainville.
From https://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=8
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
Images: 1944-03 Japanese Counterattack on Bougainville Hill 7000 in March 1944 map; 1944-03 Enemy dead killed while defending their position in a pillbox on Hill 700; 1944-03 Wounded soldier being helped down the side of Hill 700 by two medical aidmen; 1944-03-23 US 129th Inf Reg advance with tanks on Bougainville as Japanese survivors of the attack scattered in to the jungle.jpg
Background on the campaign:
"Attack on Bougainville 1 Nov 1943
The next target with the Island Hopping campaign was the island of Bougainville, a former German colony that was mandated to Australia in 1919 after WW1. Nearly the entire 130-mile by 30-mile area was dense jungle, with a exception of a small coastal plain at the southern end. The Japanese Bougainville garrison totalled 60,000 men, deployed on Bougainville, Shortlands, Buka, and Treasury islands. There were a total of five military airfields under Japanese control. To attack Bougainville, Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet and Admiral Fitch's land-based aircraft went into MacArthur's jurisdiction. The amphibious force consisted of Major General Roy Geiger's US Marines.
To soften the landings, American aircraft bombed the five Japanese airfields late in October. Although these bombings confused the Japanese in that they could not determine where the Americans would strike next, the bombings were a bit overrated as over 200 aircraft were still operational for the defenders at the time of the landings. Admiral Koga decided to deploy 173 aircraft, taken away from the precious carriers, to the area in determination to destroy the next wave of American attackers by air power. This defense plan was Operation RO.
Treasury Islands was attacked by New Zealand troops on 17 Oct, with the goal of gaining a logistical base for further Bougainville actions. On the main island of Mono, well dug-in machine gun nests were giving Allied troops a difficult time. Captain Robert Briscoe of the light cruiser Denver recalled how the landing troops took care of this obstacle in a brutal and unorthodox manner:
They closed the front doors and this twenty-ton bulldozer, which happened to be one of the first pieces of equipment out, this man manned his bulldozer and lifted his blade up to give him protection in his cab and trundled out, dropped his blade in front of the strong point and in about ten minutes had covered the whole place over to a depth of about six feet. And then, not being satisfied, he rode back and forth over it and trampled it down well and covered up the entire strong point, and from that time on there was no further opposition to that particular landing.
ww2dbaseThe Treasury Islands were under Allied control by 6 Nov.
On 1 Nov 1943, the Americans landed a large amphibious force on Bougainville under the command of Major General Turnage of the US Marines. The landing force was counterattacked by two waves of air attacks, but to no significant impact. The Japanese forces at the particular landing site totaled less than 300, therefore posing only a small threat despite the carefully laid machine gun cross fire and artillery. Once the forces headed inland, however, the difficulty began. The Marines soon found out that the naval bombardment "had accomplished nothing", as noted in Marine Corps' official history. The men faced Japanese defenders well entrenched and well hidden in the dense tropical jungles.
With the attack on Bougainville taking place, he Americans expected a vigorous response from the Japanese from the sea, and indeed response was given. Admiral Sentaro Omori sortied from Rabaul at once with a powerful surface force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers. The American Task Force 39 was under the command of Rear Admiral Stanton Merrill. Having sent most of their assault transports out of the danger zone before nightfall, Merrill awaited the Japanese with four light cruisers and eight destroyers. The advantage in both gunfire and torpedoes clearly lay with the Japanese.
Fortunately for the Americans, the Japanese force was a 'pick-up' team which hadn't practiced together, and Omori tried playing a game that was a little over his head. Confused by conflicting reports he was receiving from his scout planes as to the composition of the American force to his south, he executed a series of 180-degree turns (in pitch blackness) which were designed to give his aircraft more time to bring him information. Instead, all they did was throw his squadron into disarray, leaving his screening force far out of position, just as the Americans arrived on the scene. The Americans, coming upon the Japanese screen, launched torpedoes first, and then opened with the cruisers' 6-inch guns. The Japanese screening force, upon spotting American destroyers, tried desperately to evade the torpedoes they knew to be in the water, and ended up either colliding with each other or suffering near-misses. Sendai nearly hit Shigure, and Samidare sideswiped Shiratsuyu, staving in her hull and putting her out of the fight. Sendai was then buried in 6-inch gunfire.
Omori tried bringing his main body into the battle. This only succeeded in causing further collisions, as Myoko tore Hatsukaze's bow off, and Haguro nearly hit two other destroyers. A brief, inconclusive fight followed between the two Japanese heavies and the four American lights. Although the Japanese launched a large salvo of torpedoes, they were ineffective. The Americans achieved several gunfire straddles, but failed to hit their targets. At 0229 Omori ordered a general withdrawal. The Americans found the hapless Hatsukaze (Myoko was still wearing her bow when she returned to Rabaul) and sank her with gunfire.
The Japanese had clearly lost this fight, failing to bring their heavy units to bear conclusively, and wiping out most of their own screening destroyers through their own ill-considered maneuvers. The invasion of Bougainville would not be stopped this night. For his defeat, Omori was relieved of his command upon returning to Rabaul.
During the first week of Nov 1943, while the Americans raided Rabaul (see New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3), Americans reinforced their beachhead on Bougainville, while the Japanese sneaked two convoys by the Americans ships to land more troops on the northern tip of the island. The aircraft Koga ordered to reinforce the area were sent on air raids to disrupt American operations, but no little effect, while wearing away irreplaceable Japanese pilots. However, the usual practice of exaggerating damange reports led to Koga's declaration of Operation RO a success, and received a personal word of thanks from Emperor Showa. American progress on Bougainville slowed during the rest of Nov 1943.
Battle of Empress Augusta Bay 1-2 Nov 1943
On 1 Nov, the US 3rd Marine Division invaded the beaches of Empress Augusta Bay, backed by four light cruisers and eight destroyers. As a response, a powerful naval force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers sailed from Rabaul steamed with air cover under the command of Admiral Sentaro Omori. The Americans made radar contact at 0230 in the morning of 2 Nov and immediately launched a destroyer torpedo attack. The Japanese fleet dodged the torpedo run, but in turn the formation was scattered. At 0250, American cruisers opened fire, quickly disabling cruiser Sendai. A series of Japanese mis-maneuvers led to two collisions; it was not until 0313 that the Japanese fleet pulled together and began firing on the American ships. The battle did not last long after that point as the American ships turned and withdrew from the battle. While the battle was rather inconclusive, the Americans achieved their goal in preventing Japanese interference with the operation.
This engagement was also known as Battle of Gazelle Bay, Operation Cherry Blossom, and the Sea Battle of Bougainville Bay Shore.
Battle of Cape St. George
26 Nov 1943
With the Americans now consolidating their hold over Bougainville, the Japanese began beefing up troops and supplies on the island of Buka. On November 25, they put together yet another 'Tokyo Express' of five destroyers, three of them laden with troops, and sent them out of Rabaul. This force was commanded by Captain Kiyoto Kagawa. Waiting for them were six American destroyers. The Japanese succeeded in dropping off their loads at Buka, but trouble began on the way back home.
American Navy Captain Arleigh Burke's radar spotted the Japanese first, allowing the Americans to close and launch torpedoes without being initially detected. Both of the Japanese screening destroyers were hit, sinking the Onami and crippling the Makinami. The Americans then closed in on the destroyer-transports, who scattered and ran for it. Yugiri didn't make it, being pounded by several opponents. The crippled Makinami was also sunk. The American forces tried a stern chase of the other two fleeing Japanese destroyers, but were unable to catch them.
No realized it at the time, but this was the last 'Tokyo Express', and the last surface fight in the Solomon Islands. Freed from screening duties, US destroyers had again held their own against their vaunted Japanese adversaries. There would be no more major naval battles until the invasion of Saipan in the Mariana Islands.
Solomon Islands Campaign Timeline
29 Oct 1943 US Task Force 38 sortied from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides in support of the Bouganville, Solomon Islands invasion.
1 Nov 1943 Men of the US 3rd Marine Division landed at Torokina Point on the northern coast of Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; the beach was defended only by a small 300-strong garrison, but the effective Japanese defense surprised the attackers. In response of the invasion, Japanese aircraft from Rabaul, New Britain, attacked the US fleet, damaging destroyer USS Wadsworth (killing 2), but at the heavy cost of 16 A6M fighters lost. The Japanese dispatched a counter-invasion force consisted of Cruiser Division 4 (Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita) and transports carrying thousands of troops; the fleet was en route to Rabaul when it was detected by a B-24 Liberator bomber (Lieutenant Robert Sylvernale) while heading toward the western approach of Saint George's Channel between New Britain and New Ireland.
2 Nov 1943 Four Japanese cruisers and six destroyers sortied out of Rabaul, New Britain to attack the US Marine invasion of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. 75 B-25 bombers escorted by 80 P-38 fighters attacked this fleet just out of Rabaul, damaging cruiser Hajuro, damaging cruiser Myoko, sinking one submarine chaser, destroying 18 aircraft, damaging destroyer Shirasuyu, and damaging a number of smaller vessels; the Americans lost 8 B-25 and 9 P-38 aircraft in combat, plus more to be written off due to battle damage. The Japanese fleet, sailing at a reduced speed, engaged American warships at 0230 hours in Empress Augusta Bay. The Americans struck first, scattering the Japanese formation, but the Japanese were able to regroup and forced the American ships to withdraw. Though the action was inconclusive, the Japanese failed to disrupt American operations on Bougainville.
12 Nov 1943 At 0400 hours, 9 G4M and 5 B5N aircraft attacked a convoy of LST and converted destroyer-transport vessels in the Solomon Islands, sinking destroyer-transport USS McKean but also losing 4 B5N aircraft in combat. 1 G4M and 1 B5N aircraft suffered heavy damage but were able to return to Rabaul, New Britain. In the late morning, 10 D3A and 55 A6M aircraft, also from Rabaul, attacked an American convoy in the Solomon Islands. 10 Japanese aircraft were shot down; minimal damage was inflicted to the American vessels.
25 Nov 1943 The Battle of Cape St. George took place near Buka Island north of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands; three Japanese destroyers were sunk at the end of what was to be the final surface battle of the Solomon Islands campaign.
10 Dec 1943 Torokina Airfield at Bougainville, Solomon Islands was declared fully operational after a short 40-day construction. 17 F4U aircraft of US Marine Corps squadron VMF-216 became the first to officially arrive at the airfield, although the airfield had already received two unscheduled emergency landings on 24 Nov 1943 and 8 Dec 1943.
8 Mar 1944 Battle of Hill 700: Japanese troops began a 5-day offensive against US positions at Bougainville.
24 Mar 1944 Japanese troops mounted an unsuccessful suicide charge on Bougainville.
From https://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=8
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
Solomon Islands Campaign
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