The 32nd 'Red Arrow' Veteran Association
	The 32nd Infantry Division in World War II "The Red Arrow" Part 3A Warren Force during the Battle of Buna

Mr. Howard Kelley, a 32nd Infantry Division Veteran, has written a book describing his service during World War II. In Born in the U.S.A. - Raised in New Guinea, he shares some of his most personal experiences as a member of the 'Red Arrow's' 3rd Battalion, 127th Infantry. This book offers a rare, first-hand glimpse of the 32nd Infantry Division in World War II, as seen through the eyes of an enlisted GI. Click on the book cover to the left, it will take you to Mr. Kelley's web site, where you will find information about how to purchase this book.

"On the evening of 22 November, Harding received an order from MacArthur’s headquarters to press an attack on the following day 'regardless of cost.' Convinced that the higher headquarters did not and could not know the strength of the Japanese defensive positions, and believing that strict adherence to the order could result in the destruction of his entire force on the coastal flank, Harding took upon himself responsibility for putting his own interpretation on the 'regardless of cost' phrase. He got General MacNider on the telephone and gave him the order as he had received it. He directed that everything available be put into the attack and that it be pressed to the limit, but that it be called off if and when it became clearly evident that it was making no headway and could only result in the piling up of needless casualties. He further informed MacNider that he assumed full responsibility for the modification of the order." (Blakeley 69)

The next two days were mostly devoted to preparing for an attack scheduled for 26 November.

General MacNider was wounded during the day and had to be evacuated, he was succeeded by COL J. Tracy Hale (128th Inf.) as Warren Force commander.

On 26 November, Thanksgiving Day, the attack was initiated with air, artillery, mortar and heavy machine gun prepatory fire, but it all had little effect on the well-protected enemy troops. MG Harding was well forward to observe. The 3rd Bn., 128th Inf. (LTC Miller) ran into fierce resistance from well concealed Japanese. Some of the infantry became disoriented in the deep swamps. Japanese fighter planes also had some impact on the attack.

The attack had failed, but not from lack of gallantry.

"During the heavy fighting on Colonel Carrier's front that afternoon, Pvt. Howard M. Eastwood of Company C, 126th Infantry, single-handedly attacked a ten-man party of the enemy whom he had discovered to his front on a scouting mission. Standing upright in the tall grass, he engaged the Japanese with fire from his submachine gun, killing several and dispersing the others. Killed by an enemy sniper in the area, Eastwood was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross." (Milner 181) Blakeley (70) lists PVT Howard M. Eastward of Co. G..

In addition to these problems, by 28 November, there was only one operational supply boat left. The others had been damaged or destroyed by enemy action or accidents. There weren't enough aircraft available to adequately supply the troops solely by air. Once supplies did land at the Dobodura air strip, they still had to be transported to the front, 10 or 12 miles away. The few available trails were not suitable for vehicles. Natives were hired to carry supplies and help evacuate the wounded, but they would not go into the areas being reached by enemy fire. The soldiers had to carry the supplies the rest of the way themselves.

On 30 November an attack was scheduled for Warren Force and Urbana Force. Both attacks were better planned and organized than previous attempts. The fire support was better coordinated on both fronts.

Warren Force was able to advance to the enemy’s main line of resistance, but was stopped by the well-built defensive works. There were no tanks or artillery to destroy the bunkers and the unit had little equipment or training for attacks on these positions.
 

On about 2 December 1942, COL Clarence A. Martin (I Corps G-3) was placed in command of the 128th Infantry and Warren Force.

On about 3 or 4 December, the arrival of five Bren-gun carriers manned by Australians and some forty tons of food and ammunition were gladly received on the Warren front.

On the morning of 5 December, attacks were scheduled for both Warren Force and Urbana Force. Warren Force was deployed from right to left: 3rd Battalion, 128th Infantry (with the Bren-gun carriers); 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry; Australian 2/6 Independent Company; 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry (minus a detachment).

"The attack was preceded by an ineffective strike of six A-20's, and by a brief artillery preparation. The lightly armored, open-topped Bren-gun carriers, completely inadequate for the tank role assigned them, were all knocked out within twenty minutes in spite of the gallantry of their crews, nearly all of whom were killed or wounded. (Blakeley 87)"

The day’s attack could not overcome the determined Japanese resistance, intense heat, quicksand, and deep water.

Gen. Waldron, acting Division commander, had been seriously wounded while observing Urbana Force's attack on 5 December. BG Frayne Baker, who was in command of the Division’s elements in Australia, succeeded Gen. Waldron. General Byers assumed command of the forward elements of the 32nd.

LG Eichelberger was finally convinced that the Japanese defensive positions facing Warren Force were too strong to be taken by frontal assaults. General Herring informed him that Australian troops and light tanks were on the way to reinforce Warren Force. For now he would continue to keep pressure on the enemy with probing attacks and fire. Specific pillboxes and bunkers would be selected and eliminated one by one. Also, COL Martin tried to get his 128th Inf. better organized by attempting to reunite the mixed up companies with their parent battalions.

On 10 December the Australian 2/6 Independent Company was returned to the 7th Australian Division.

On 13 December, LG Eichelberger made more command changes in Warren Force. MAJ Beaver replaced LTC Carrier, who developed heart trouble, as commander of 1st Bn., 126th Infantry. MAJ Gordon Clarkson (I Corps staff) succeeded LTC McCoy (who went to the Division staff) in command of 1st Bn., 128th Infantry. LTC McNab (Warren Force XO) traded places with LTC Miller (CO of 3rd Bn., 128th Infantry). "All of these shifts were routine ones and involved no reflection on any of the officers concerned. (Blakeley 92)"

General Byers was wounded during the day’s fighting. LG Eichelberger was now the only U.S. general officer left in the combat area, so he took command of the forward elements of the 32nd Division. "With three generals knocked out of action by enemy fire, Eichelberger says in Our Jungle Road to Tokyo that he permitted himself a grim chuckle as he recalled a fragment of the World War I song: "The General won the Croix de Guerre - But the so-and-so was never there - Hinkey, dinkey, parlez-vous". (qtd. in Blakeley 95)"

He also pays tribute to the National Guard officers in the 32nd Division: “There were many great commanders among the National Guard officers of the 32nd Division. In crises, I would like to have them again as comrades. I can mention only a few here: Colonels Merle H. Howe of Michigan and Herbert M. Smith of Wisconsin, MAJ H. E. Hantlemann of Iowa, MAJ Edmund R. Schroeder of Wisconsin, the inimitable CPT W. H. Dames of Wisconsin, whose Company G, 127th Infantry, never made a wrong move in battle. (qtd. in Blakeley 95)”

NEW Photos added 16 April 05 This table contains ten Associated Press photos taken in the Buna area in November and December of 1942. These photos were contributed in memory of Edward S. Anderson, a 32nd Infantry Division Veteran who served with the 114th Eng. Bn. (Companies A & C) in New Guinea and the Philippines. The photo captions, in italics, are the original captions from when the photos were taken. The photos were contributed by M. Anderson, Edward Anderson's nephew.
“Scout Car Crosses Stream on New Guinea – An army scout car takes a jungle stream in New Guinea with ease - - more or less. While soldiers push, some of their buddies watch from the “privacy” of their bath. The Americans were reported, Nov. 13, to be pushing the Jap army down the Buna trail.” Associated Press photo dated 11-13-42.	“Peeps in New Guinea Traffic Jam – Heavy traffic on a jungle trail in New Guinea has American Peeps moving in single file – no passing to the right. The Army vehicles move up with no room for anything much coming in the opposite direction.” Associated Press photo dated 11-14-42.	“Mortar Blasts at Japs in New Guinea – An American three inch trench mortar, almost hidden in a deep New Guinea jungle lets loose at a Jap position as the combined force of Australians and Americans under General MacArthur worked its way across the Owen Stanley Mountain Range to trap the enemy in the Buna-Gona area.” Associated Press photo dated 12-15-42.
“Allies Toil Across New Guinea to Attack Japs – Working their way across the trackless New Guinea jungles and mountain wastes of the Owen Stanley Ranges, to get a crack at the Japs in the Buna-Gona area, engineer troops of a combined Australian-American task force under General MacArthur build a bridge to move men and equipment to an advance base on jeeps and motorized transport. After almost three months they finally trapped the Japs along Buna Bay.” Associated Press photo dated 12-15-42.	“’Wild Man’ From Michigan Takes Jap Bullet Calmly – Described as a “Wild Man” at the front and credited with killing between 30 and 40 japs as his unit cross New Guinea to trap the enemy in the Buna-Gona area, Private First Class Orin Sutton (left) of Charlevoix, Mich., sits calmly and has his leg bandaged after he was hit by a Jap machine gun bullet. He was back in action in less than 24 hours. Doing the bandaging is Private First Class Allie Poole of Petersburg, Mich.” Associated Press photo dated 12-15-42.	“Manpower Moves Ammunition for Attack on Japs – Ammunition for three inch trench mortars is loaded on the back of a pack carrier for transport to weapons set up in the jungles of New Guinea as a combined Australian and American task force under General MacArthur advanced against the Japs and trapped them in the Buna-Gona area.” Associated Press photo dated 12-15-42.
“Exhausted Jap Prisoner Observed by Americans – American soldiers on the Buna front watch an exhausted Japanese prisoner. This picture is one of several release by the Army from among those made by Edward Widdis, Associated Press photographer, who was encamped with the fighting forces just 100 yards behind the front in Buna.” Associate Press photo dated 12-18-42.	“Moving in For Jap Flank – Moving along the Buna Road in New Guinea, these American soldiers were to open a flanking movement against the Japs in the bitter fighting in that area. They moved up toward the Japs single file, well scattered.” Associate Press photo dated 12-18-42.	“Bringing Home the Wounded – American soldiers on the Soputa front near Buna, New Guinea, bear their wounded to headquarters as they return from 11 days fighting the Japs. Note the automatic gun by the soldiers side on the stretcher." Associated Press photo 12-24-42.”
	“Hot Food Comes to a Fox Hole – Hot food has come up to these soldiers in the line on the Soputa front near Buna, New Guinea. These Americans were in the line 11 days. Hot food was brought up through the jungle and underbrush as often as possible despite the danger. L. to R.: Private William Mills, Sommerville, Mass.; Private Hebert Van Lier, Boston, Mass.; Private Edward K. Fairbanks, Sommerville, Mass.; and Sgt. Joseph P. Doran, Nahant, Mass.” Associate Press photo dated 12-24-42.

Meanwhile, the engineers were making progress constructing jeep trails to the front, although they needed to build a bridge a hundred feet long to cross a stream that was only six feet wide but bordered by swamps. These improved trails would make supply, evacuation and communication easier.
 

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo Soldiers and supplies on the way to the front line at Buna.

Brigadier George F. Wooten, his headquarters, eight light M-3 tanks and a battalion of infantry arrived as welcome reinforcements for Warren Force. All of these were Australian troops and a second Australian battalion was on the way.

On 17 December Brigadier Wooten became the commander of Warren Force.

LG Eichelberger scheduled the next attack for 18 December. Warren Force was assigned the successive objectives of Cape Endaiadere, the New Strip, the Old Strip, and Giropa Point. Urbana Force would be tasked with cleaning out the Triangle, driving through to the coast, and cutting the coast road between Giropa Point and Buna Mission.

Warren Force's new tank squadron moved into its attack position on the right of the line late on 17 December. The tanks were able to move up without being detected by the enemy because a mortar barrage had masked the noise of the tanks.

From 0650 to 0700 on 18 December there was a brief but intense air, artillery and mortar preparation. The Australian 2/9 Battalion moved up to the line of departure during this preparation. At 0700, the Australian tanks and infantry began their attack northward across Duropa Plantation toward Cape Endaiadere. The 3rd Bn., 128th Inf. followed the Australians to mop up the area. The 1st Bn., 128th swung west to help the Australians when they encountered heavy fire from bunkers near the east end of the New Strip. On the left, 1st Bn., 126th Inf., kept pressure on the positions at the West End of the strip. The Australians were able to reach Cape Endaiadere within an hour, but they had suffered heavy casualties and lost two tanks along the way. At Cape Endaiadere they headed west along the coast until they were stopped by a strong enemy position near Strip Point.

The infantry had encountered fierce opposition from a large strongpoint on the east end of the New Strip; so the remaining Australian tanks were sent over there to help. The twenty pillboxes which made up the strongpoint were reduced late in the afternoon. "Duropa Plantation had turned out to be good tank country, as General Harding had thought, and the tanks had been decisive in the day’s success. (Blakeley 96)"

Most of 19 December was spent mopping up the newly gained areas and trying to reorganize the units that had become mixed during the previous day's action.

On 20-21 December there was some intense fighting in the area north and east of Simemi Creek before the Japanese were driven out. The Australian 2/10 Battalion had arrived and became the reserve.

The next phase of the advance required getting across Simemi Creek, which presented a major obstacle for both tanks and infantry. There was one narrow bridge midway between New Strip and Old Strip, but it was 125 feet long due to the swamps on both sides of the Creek. On top of that, the Japanese had blown a gap in the middle of the bridge.

Around noon on 20 December, elements of the 1st Bn., 128th Inf. made the first attempt to get across the bridge. They soon discovered that it was covered by well placed machine guns, protected by riflemen. "Private Steve W. Parks earned the Distinguished Service Cross by rescuing a seriously wounded fellow soldier during the unsuccessful action. (Blakeley 96)"

"The next attempt was made later in the day by a detachment from the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry, under Lieutenant John E. Sweet. Under cover of a smoke screen, a catwalk was successfully carried forward to the hole in the bridge, but it was not long enough to span the gap. Sweet was also awarded the [Distinguished Service Cross]. (Blakeley 96)"

Several other attempts were made to force a crossing at other points of the creek, but none were successful. Late in the day, the Australian 2/10 Battalion, which had just arrived, was assigned the task of finding a crossing.

On 21 December, after extensive reconnoitering, often in neck deep water, the 2/10 Battalion was able to make an undetected crossing a few hundred yards below the bridge.

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo M-3 Stuart light tanks manned by the 2/6 Australian Armored Regiment, near Duropa Plantation near Buna, New Guinea, on 21 December 1942.

Around noon on 23 December the Australians finished clearing the area on the far side of the bridge. "In the meanwhile, the 3rd Platoon (Lieutenant James Doughtie) of Company C, 114th Engineer Battalion, had begun the work of repairing the bridge. Although fire continued to come into the area from Japanese positions near the Old Strip even after the Australians had cleared the immediate vicinity of the bridge, the engineers proceeded rapidly and efficiently to get in a span which permitted Major Beaver's 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry, to cross. By dark, the bridge was ready to carry tanks. Lieutenant Doughtie was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his part in this task. (Blakeley 97)"

MAJ Clarkson’s 1st Bn., 128th Inf., crossed the bridge that evening and moved up on the left of 1st Bn., 126th Inf.

Around this time, two Japanese motorboats sank an ammunition barge at Hariko (about 3 1/2 miles to the southeast), in spite of small arms fire from Service Company, 128th Infantry. This meant that beach defenses had to be tightened up, in an effort to prevent the Japanese from landing reinforcements with these boats, which they had done before.

Early on 24 December, four tanks crossed the bridge and joined the 2/10 Battalion on the right flank. An all out attack (Australians and Americans) commenced at 0950. It initially showed promise, but it was soon reduced to a very slow and costly advance, at the loss of 3 of the tanks. Colonel Yamamoto, the Japanese commander, had organized a very effective defense in the Old Strip area. Both of his flanks were tied into the impenetrable swamps and he had a strong, well-organized position laid out in depth with barbed wire, trenches and bunkers, all supported by well-sited artillery and machine guns.

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo Soldiers carrying rations along a trail to the front lines near New Strip, Buna Area, New Guinea, on 24 December 1942.

From 24 to 28 December, "Warren Force was to experience bitter fighting, marked by fanatical Japanese resistance, futile attempts to struggle through the swamps on the enemy’s flanks, and many examples of individual courage and devotion to duty. (Blakeley 97)"

The Australians and Americans of Warren Force resumed their attack at 0700 on Christmas Day 1942. The American battalions were soon halted by strong resistance. In an effort to gain momentum, COL Martin sent a detachment from 1st Bn., 128th Inf., into the swamp to attempt to find a way around the enemy’s right flank. The detachment’s commander reported that the swamp was impenetrable. Determined to find a way through, COL Martin personally accompanied another detachment, from Co. A, 128th Inf. (Lt. George J. Hess), far enough into the swamp to assure himself that the task could be accomplished. Lt. Hess and his men struggled through and were able to get around to the enemy’s rear. However, the detachment was not strong enough to attack and COL Martin wasn't able to get reinforcements (Co. C, 128th Inf., led by Lt. Donald A. Foss) over there until after dark.

"The Army official history of the campaign [Victory in Papua] says of Martin [who had been awarded the Silver Star in World War I]: 'At one point in the day’s fighting he climbed a tall tree that overlooked the Japanese positions in order to get a better bead on enemy troops lurking in the tall grass immediately to his front. From this vantage point he killed several of them with a rifle.' The record indicates that Colonel Martin’s courageous leadership on Christmas Day was typical rather than exceptional. It is significant that the citation for his Distinguished Service Cross does not refer to one act, but covers the period 3 December to 5 January 1943. (qtd. in Blakeley 100)"

Warren Force, now reinforced by another Australian battalion and some additional tanks, started to move up the coast toward Giropa Point. They attacked on 29 December, but made little progress. Activity on 30-31 December consisted mostly of reconnaissance and reorganization.
 

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo American troops crawl through a swamp to attack Japanese at Buna, New Guinea.

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo Mortar crew dispatches three-inch shells into Japanese positions.

U.S. Army Signal Corps photo Australian manned M-3 Stuart tank slugs it out at pointblank range with a Japanese pillbox at Giropa Point in the Buna area of New Guinea.

The attack continued on New Year’s Day of 1943, and made good progress.

On the morning of 2 January, with a combined effort from all of the elements of Warren Force (Brigadier Wooten's Australians, MAJ Clarkson’s 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, and LTC McNab’s 3rd Battalion, 128th Infantry), the Giropa Point area was taken, as usual, there were few Japanese prisoners. LTC McNab was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Blakeley, H. W., Major General, Retired. The 32nd Infantry Division in World War II.  The Thirty-second Infantry Division History Commission, State of Wisconsin, n.d.
Cannon, M. Hamlin.  Leyte: The Return to the Philippines.  U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1954.
Drea, Edward J.  New Guinea - The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II.  U.S. Army Center of Military History, n.d.
Hill, Jim Dan, Major General, Retired.  The Minute Man in Peace and War.  Harrisburg: The Stackpole Company, 1964.
Jungwirth, Clarence J.  Diary of a National Guardsman in World War II.  Oshkosh, WI: Poeschl Printing Company, 1991.
Milner, Samuel. Victory in Papua.  U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1957.
Papuan Campaign - The Buna-Sanananda Operation.  Washington, D.C.: Historical Division, War Department, 1945.
The Red Arrow - 1955 - The 32nd Division, Wisconsin National Guard.  n.p., 1955.
Smith, Herbert M., Lieutenant Colonel, Retired. Hannibal Had Elephants II.  Eau Claire, WI: Rev. William A. Heins, 1995.

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