The 32nd 'Red Arrow' Veteran Association
	The 32nd Infantry Division in World War II "The Red Arrow" Part 3C 126th Infantry in the Australian Zone 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.

Meanwhile, in the Australian zone, COL Tomlinson’s 126th had been making some progress, but it was not until 26 November 1942 that a coordinated attack with the Australians was launched. With the support of an Australian artillery battery, the infantry advance got off to a good start, but was soon halted by determined opposition. COL Tomlinson and some of his staff were well forward to observe and had some close calls with enemy fire. "Major Simon Warmenhoven, regimental surgeon, was later awarded the [Distinguished Service Cross] for his work in aiding wounded Australians under heavy fire. (Blakeley 73)" MAJ (then CPT) Warmenhoven was a Michigan National Guard officer with the 126th Inf. when the 32nd Division was activated on 15 Oct. 1940.

On 27 November the Japanese counterattacked vigorously, but were repulsed. The Cannon and Anti-tank Companies of the 126th arrived at Soputa from Wairope on 27 November and would soon be put to use.

On 30 November, COL Tomlinson started a coordinated, three-pronged attack with the objective of establishing a roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda track behind the Japanese forward positions.

The main emphasis would be made on the left flank, so he sent his XO (MAJ Baetcke, assisted by 1LT Peter L. Dal Ponte, CO of Service Co.) to the take command of the troops currently in that area under MAJ Bond. These troops consisted of Cos. I and K, parts of Co. M and 3rd Bn. HQ's, and the Anti-tank & Cannon Cos. The assault element of this force consisted of Co. I (CPT Shirley), Anti-tank Co. (CPT Roger Keast), a light machine gun section from Co. M, and a communications section from 3rd Bn. HQ's. (total of 265 men), and would be commanded by MAJ Bond, assisted by Lt. Daniels. Co. K (led by Lt. Lytle) and Cannon Co. (1LT John L. Fenton) would be in support and reserve under the command of CPT Medendorp.

When the attack commenced early that morning, preceded by a ten minute artillery and mortar barrage, the assault element on the left flank attacked due east toward the Soputa-Sanananda track about 1,400 yards away.

The attack on the right was commanded by MAJ Bert Zeeff and consisted of Co. L. They initially met no opposition but they were stopped by a strong Japanese force after they had advanced 150 yards.

The center attack was commanded by MAJ Boerem and consisted of Cos. C and D. They were only able to advance a few yards.

The attack's main effort on the left flank fared much better than the attacks from the center and right flank. Co. K's excellent supporting fire drew a strong response from the enemy, which allowed MAJ Bond's assault force to initially advance without great difficulty. While starting to cross a large patch of kunai grass 400 yards beyond the line of departure, they encountered strong rifle, machine gun and mortar fire from all sides. Major Bond was wounded and had to be evacuated. The attack began to lose momentum so MAJ Baetcke came forward to rally the troops and he successfully led the effort to clear the enemy out of the Kunai patch. CPT Shirley took command of the assault force and continued the attack.

About 1,000 yards out, they encountered some impenetrable jungle and a 300 yard stretch of knee deep swamp. CPT Shirley’s men were initially held up by effective mortar and machine gun fire that commanded the swamp, but they were eventually able to get across the swamp and disperse the enemy.

Past the swamp they found a well traveled trail that headed straight east so they followed it. At 1700 Company I’s scouts reported an enemy bivouac directly ahead. CPT Shirley ordered Company I to fix bayonets and assault the enemy position. The attack was well executed and successful. After driving the enemy out, they organized a perimeter defense of the captured bivouac area by about 1830. Two hours later they received heavy mortar fire in the perimeter and sometime after that the Japanese counterattacked from the northeast and northwest. The Japanese attacks were repulsed with few casualties. The captured bivouac area, relatively open and oval shaped about 250 yards long and 150 yards wide, lay astride the trail and behind the Japanese forward positions. The long sought roadblock had been established; the 126th Infantry had gained its objective!

Meanwhile, the attack on the right flank (MAJ Zeeff) made some progress but was stopped by strong enemy defenses before it could link up with MAJ Baetcke's force. When MAJ Zeeff was subjected to determined counterattacks, he was ordered to withdraw by COL Tomlinson. About a dozen men from MAJ Zeeff's force were killed. One of these was PVT Hymie Y. Epstein, a medic who had repeatedly distinguished himself.

CPT Shirley’s detachment at the roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail consisted of Co. I, Antitank Company, and detachments of Company M and the 3rd Battalion Headquarters Company. MAJ Baetcke was with Co. K and Cannon Co. about 1,400 yards west of the roadblock. MAJ Boerem and the rest of the 126th troops, consisting of Co. L and parts of Companies C and D, were at a trail junction south of the roadblock, opposite a Japanese position.

"The roadblock was attacked repeatedly both day and night. On 3 December 1942, an ammunition and ration party under CPT Huggins (S-3 of the 3rd Battalion) fought its way to the roadblock. CPT Shirley was killed during a strong attack on the position soon thereafter. CPT Huggins took over command and Lt. Dal Ponte took the supply party back to its base. (Blakeley 115)"

On 5 December, a coordinated attack, with about 300 troops, was launched against the Japanese position near the trail junction. MAJ Baetcke’s group attacked southward while MAJ Boerem’s grouped attacked northward, both attacks were repulsed. Two soldiers were killed, 63 wounded and 25 were missing.

On 7 December, MAJ Baetcke and MAJ Zeef were evacuated, after being stricken with malaria. MAJ Boerem assumed command of the whole detachment. "Several additional attempts to get supplies to the roadblock were unsuccessful. On 8 December, a supply party under the vigorous and courageous leadership of Lieutenant Dal Ponte got through to the roadblock. CPT Huggins, who had been wounded on the 5th, was evacuated when the supply party returned under cover of darkness to a position held by Company K and Cannon Company west of the roadblock. Lieutenant Dal Ponte stayed at the roadblock in command. He had about 225 men, but many were too sick to fight. They were packed into a small area, subject to almost constant attacks, exposed to hot sun by day and rain by night, and with inadequate rations. (Blakeley 115-18)"

The other groups were in a similar predicament. Casualties, and no replacements to make up the losses, were reducing the strength of the force every day. On 14 December, MAJ Boerem, after repeated requests, was able to have Co. K and Cannon Co. relieved by Australian units. Also that day, the roadblock received much needed food, ammunition and medical supplies.

General Byers, acting commander of the forward elements of the 32nd Division, 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.

"During the next week, several Australian units reached the vicinity of the roadblock, but it was not until the evening of 22 December that Dal Ponte and his command were relieved after twenty-two days of almost continuous fighting. The Army’s official history [Victory in Papua] pays them tribute: 'They were dazed, sick and exhausted, and their feet were in such bad shape they could hardly use them. Their spirit, nevertheless, was high and it should be have been, for the defense of the roadblock had not only been praiseworthy, it had been superb.' Among the decorations awarded were the Distinguished Service Cross for CPT Huggins and Lt. Dal Ponte. (Blakeley 118)"

On 24 December, "five 32nd Division men were awarded the [Distinguished Service Cross] in an attack on the track junction. A sap had been dug to within fifteen feet of an enemy trench. Sergeant Chester C. Funk of Cannon Company, 126th Infantry, although wounded, held the sap throughout the night against enemy attacks. At dawn, four men crawled forward from the sap, assaulted the trench and held it until reinforced. They were: Corporal Orrin C. Sutton and Private Edward R. Roseman of Company L, and Privates Lawrence B. Marion and Harold Pederson of Company M. (Blakeley 118)"

On Christmas Day, MAJ Boerem only had four hundred soldiers left; a few days later there were only three hundred. On 31 December, MAJ Francis L. Irwin relieved MAJ Boerem, who was exhausted. Lt. Dal Ponte was back in the line, commanding the seventy-eight men left.

The Australian soldiers were also in rough shape. Both the Americans and Australians welcomed the arrival of the 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team, consisting of the 163rd Regiment and 550 other troops from the U.S. 41st Infantry Division. The 163rd RCT was commanded by COL Jens A. Doe, and was committed to action with the Australian 7th Division.

"The relief of the 126th troops was finally completed on the afternoon of 9 January 1943. Major Boerem, who had not quit but continued on as Major Irwin’s executive, went to Buna to prepare for the arrival of the detachment there. Three days later, the detachment, down to 158 men from a strength of over 1300 at the start of operations across the Giruwa, started its march back to the Division. With Major Irwin at their head, and Dal Ponte – now a Captain – as second in command, they reached Simemi that night. General Eichelberger received them on 14 January, as he says, 'with band music and with what might well be described as a martial welcome . . . my eyes were wet'. (Blakeley 118-9)”

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.

Contact the 32nd 'Red Arrow' Veteran Association Webmaster