The Pacific

[KG Erwin]

(Here we go. Long campaign, starting in August 1942 using ENH 2009.)

The 1st Battalion 5th Marines (reinf), now called Battalion Landing Team 15 (one-five), participates in our first offensive action of the war. I have fifteen M2A4 light tanks from Co A 1st Tank Bn, two M3 75mm GMC from the Special Weapons Bn, four 81mm mortars, and three 1942 Combat Teams. Each Combat Team is a reinforced Rifle Company, each with three 60mm mortars, three Weps MG platoons (1 heavy/1 medium MG), an Engineer Section, and a Recon Platoon. It is a force with nearly 1000 men and the best weapons the Marines can provide. The best is a misnomer, as the line troops are carrying the same rifles their predecessors used in 1918. Our primary disadvantage is that most of these men are very young and have never experienced combat.

Our opponents, by contrast, are experienced and as yet undefeated in battle.

Just before the launch of Operation Watchtower, the CO of 1/5 suffered a nervous breakdown. He was sedated and confined to quarters. So, here I am, Lt Col Higginbotham, being given command of the battalion, literally on the night before the landing.

I barely got to meet my subordinates before we boarded the landing craft and touched ground on the Japanese-held island, which is called Guadalcanal.

[KG Erwin]

We've landed and spend a few days patrolling. The enemy on our western flank is apparently digging in, so BLT 15 will be part of a full-scale assault. This is the mission I most dreaded, as we have no idea of the enemy's strength. However, I've been given a battery of pack howitzers for direct support and plenty of ammo. I also have the indirect support of three 105mm howitzer battalions. The bad weather will preclude any aerial support from the carriers offshore. My attack frontage will be 2000 yards. There is no alternative but a direct frontal attack through thick jungle. My only hope is to overwhelm the enemy with our artillery, mortars and automatic weapons.

Our anticipated objectives preclude any chance to hold any meaningful reserve, so we will advance in line, with each platoon/company maintaining their BAR squads and engineer attachments as immediate support. Tanks and riflemen will be in front. In other words, we are moving forward blindly. I inform my commanders that it will be a slow , deliberate attack. I can only hope that our preliminary bombardment can allow us to punch through their front at one or two points. I am grateful that I have the tank company to assist the assault. However, I tell the commanders that the tanks and infantry must not get separated, as these light tanks are thin-skinned and can be destroyed by enemy AT teams. Close cooperation and immediate fire support is the key.

The One-Five is called "The Old Breed", but it's a bit of a joke, as there are very few veterans in our ranks.

[KG Erwin]

At 0300, in the rain, three battalions of 105s from the 11th Marines opens up a firece-sounding barrage open suspected enemy positions. The fact of the matter is that we have no idea where the enemy line is. The terrain is pock-marked by irregular ridge lines and rough jungle. In the rain and darkness, our advance is slow, maybe 50 yards every few minutes. The light mortar crews and machine-gunners following the tanks and riflemen have it even worse, as the tanktreads are churning the soft ground into mush.

My jeep is in the center, close by Baker Co HQ, which is advancing on foot. I offer Captain Hunt a lift, but he declines. He chooses to slog on with his 9-man staff and guard, which may be the smart choice. I elect to dismount and move forward with a squad of engineers.

The radio sqawks alive -- a squad of Co B, in the center, has come under fire. 2 men down -- enemy remains unsighted. The alert goes out to all units -- "Contact imminent! Dismount mortars and artillery!"

Capt Cates' Company A is on the left -- Capt Webb's Company C is on the right. I have a bad feeling -- if the enemy has artillery support, it could open up at any moment.

A few minutes later, a barrage opens up on 3rd Platoon Co B. They catch the full brunt of it. I order counterbattery on suspected enemy artillery emplacements. "All units advance!"