Japan amphib assault Luzon 1/24/42

[robot]

Luzon Philippines
January 24,1942
1800 Hours


3 companies of SNLF veteran troops will make an amphibious landing on the east coast of Luzon. We will land about 200 to 250 miles north of Manila. We are to begin our landing at 6:00 with A company leading the landing. There will be a pre bombardment of all our ships in the hope of taking out suspected mines laid on the beach. B Co will be the second one to land and will be held back for a bit until A Co has secured somewhat of a hold on the beach and has moved forward somewhat.

We have one big problem today we do expect to encounter mines and for some reason HQ had no engineers to send to us. So our boys will have to clear mines as they try and secure the beach. This is not a good sign and means today is going to be a very tough battle. One good thing is we are going up against a bunch of green and young U.S.Army troops. If we can make a hole in the mine fields we are confident then we can take these troopers with our more experienced troops. This is our first amphib landing tho and all we can hope is every thing goes as we have planned.

HQ: VIII Lshii Heavy Tank
Col: Yasuji Okamura Commanding

[robot]

Luzon Philippines
January 24,1942
1825 Hours


A CO has landed and has moved at least 250 yards up the beach. They ran into at least 3 MMG dirt bunkers and a 37mm gun. They have taken out one of the pits and the 37mm gun. They have already made at least three assaults on the other two MMG bunkers. Trying right now to get there support in to help. Bringing in the ATGs along with there Infantry guns and there mortars. It is very congested where they are landing as we only have a 100 yard wide hole in the mine field. The landing ships are getting in each others way and had to wait until A CO could move up off the beach.

The Americans are bombarding us with every thing they have. They have hit us with 75mm along with 60mm Mortars and some of there navel vessels are laying in too. Even had some 155 shells come over about ten minutes ago. We are also taking heavy small arms fire from the beach to our left flank. Have pulled all the landing craft that has already unloaded to our left flank in the hope they can lay down some covering fire. Have three patrol boats that we have moved over there to help the landing craft. But they are so suppressed from all the artty fire they cant find the enemy to fire at them.

Mean while the other companies are just biding there time till they can move and in unload. So far although we have had some boats hit none have been sunk so far with all aboard. Have been thinking about moving them a little more off shore until we can clear the beach. I would hate to lose any of the boats and all aboard before they even get a chance to meet the enemy.


HQ: VIII Lshii Heavy Tank
Col: Yasuji Okamura Comanding