Retired: 1st Battalion 5th Marines

[KG Erwin]

August 24, 1942. After the defeat of the Japanese counterattack on our eastern flank three days ago, it is reported that another force is assembling on our right (western) flank. We have been on Guadalcanal for 17 days, but apart from some patrol skirmishes, haven't seen much action.

The 1st Battalion 5th Marines (reinforced) is spread over a 3000-yard front. Fortunately, Company A of the 1st Tank Battalion has been attached to us, as well as a couple of 75mm halftracks from the regimental Weapons Company.

We also have four 75mm pack howitzers stationed close behind our front, and further on-call support from two battalions of 105s.

Infantry support, to help fill the gaps in my companies' front, is provided by three sections of engineers and the recon teams of the scout company. This provisional group is now designated as Combat Team 15.

Even with the firepower augmentation, the line is basically held by maybe 550 Marines with rifles, BARs, SMGs and a mix of water-cooled and air-cooled machine guns. The battalion's direct fire support is our nine 60-mm and four 81-mm mortars.

The time is 1900 hours. Dusk. The air is clear, and visibility is approx 500 yards.

[KG Erwin]

Turn 5. The Japanese emerge out of the jungle, and it some places get shredded by our concentrated fire. They respond with an unexpectedly heavy mortar and artillery barrage. A machine-gun squad is wiped out, and a rifle squad suffers 7 casualties -- the 2 survivors pull back. I have no infantry reserve whatsoever -- the only units I have available to fill gaps are the tanks and 75mm SPAs.

The enemy advances with a near-suicidal determination, including individual snipers and tank-killer teams armed with satchel charges. As of yet, I have seen no enemy tanks.

Our mortars and 75s are hitting their front ranks, as well as every other weapon at our disposal. I see their intentions -- they want to infiltrate our lines, if possible. Electing to go with a cordon defense seems, so far, to have been the correct decision. The Japanese are attacking on a broad front -- is this their definition of a reconnaissance in force?

The M2A4 tanks are proving their worth against infantry. Tank A7, commanded by Sgt Scarborough, has already reported 3 kills.

[KG Erwin]

I'm laying down a curtain of fire in front of my boys to protect them. I won't have units being wiped out for lack of support. My commanders are authorized to make tactical withdrawals, but under NO circumstances will we allow the enemy to break through our lines.

To all platoon and company commanders : if you have to, move up front and start firing your weapons!

I don't give a damn about your rank -- in the Marine Corps, every man is a rifleman. You got that?

[KG Erwin]

Turn 8. One of my squads was destroyed by the enemy's artillery. I'm bringing up the tanks to stiffen the line, and relying heavily on my own mortars and arty. Counterbattery fire has not been very effective.

The enemy has gotten close enough to attampt banzai charges at a few points, but these have so far been repulsed. There doesn't seem to be any overall coordination to the Japanese attacks -- they just recklessly charge forward.

On the far right flank, a platoon of Japanese are trying to work their way around me. Here, I have just a section of engineers and a recon section, supported by a 75mm halftrack. I spot them, and soon will have some 105mm rounds coming down on their heads.

[KG Erwin]

The Japanese are getting very close to Battalion HQ, but, as you can see, I'm setting up an ambush:

[Alby]

good luck on this one...
[:)]

[KG Erwin]

The Japanese suddenly break off their attack, and we score a Decisive Victory. Why they did so is a mystery. It was rumored that the enemy commander was killed, but that cannot be confirmed.

USMC casualties: 145 men

Japanese casualties: 780 men

[KG Erwin]

We were pulled into reserve for two weeks, and then sent to the eastern side of the perimeter, as intelligence reported a renewed enemy buildup. This time, we expected a full-scale assault.

I heard some grumblings, as we were just digging in, rather than launching a pre-emptive attack of our own. In the meantime, General Vandegrift made my provisional Combat Team 15 a semi-permanent command. Until further notice, we will operate together and train together as a unit. I had to do a quick study on the concepts of tank-infantry coordination, and relied on the sketchy reports of British and German techniques on the battlefields of Europe.

I rode around in one of our light tanks, and we worked out a rudimentary communications system based on hand signals. That's the best we can do for now, as our radios operate on different frequencies. Unfortunately, this means that the tank commander has to poke his head above the hatch and be fully exposed to enemy snipers.

[Alby]

How does using the Japanese names feel?
more Fog of war?

[KG Erwin]

To answer Alby's question, yes, which gives my intel officers headaches as they try to teach this West Virginian the basics of Japanese military terminology.

[KG Erwin]

Sept. 8, 1942. This time, our frontage is reduced to 2000 yards. We take over positions previously occupied by a battalion of the 1st Marines. Those boys were tough fighters, but their sanitary discipline left much to be desired. The trenches and foxholes were described by one disgruntled private as sh*tholes.

[KG Erwin]

Turn 7. We've undergone a terrific bombardment and a couple of planes bombed battalion HQ, killing the radio operator and destroying the radio. So, temporarily, I'm out of contact with regiment and our arty support.

The company HQs are now operating on their own initiative, while I'm trying to scrounge up a radio and re-establish communications.

Turn 8. Ok, I've commandeered a spare radio and commo links have been restored. On the far right, I've instructed a couple of engineer scections, two sections of recon, and a platoon of tanks to start moving forward. They will try to establish the location of the enemy's left wing.

Turn 11. Right flank (south): Company A, and the tank/engineer/recon group, is turning northeast, in the fashion of a swinging door. I have yet to find the enemy's open flank, as their assault force is echeloned in considerable depth.

In the center (Company C), Japanese engineers have been engaged -- they succeeded in destroying tank A15, killing the entire crew. Also, one of our automatic rifle squads was wiped out. Charlie Company's mission is to hold and draw in the enemy.

On the far left (north), another small tank/engineer/recon group is moving cautiously forward and to the southeast. Company B is keeping contact with this group's flank.

[KG Erwin]

Turn 14. Our advance has stalled. I call down all the fire assets I can muster, as we have blundered into a hornets' nest. The only advantage is that the Japanese artillery is aimed BEHIND our lines in some cases.

There's a ridge line ahead of us, which is heavily occupied. I direct a massive bombardment on those positions.

We held, but only scored a marginal victory. Our losses were heavy.

USMC : 2 tanks, 2 arty, 266 men

Japanese: 1245 men

[KG Erwin]

October 25, 1942: We were pulled out of the line, absorbed replacements, and given a new mission. We will be advancing to the east, in order to disrupt the enemy's buildup for a renewed attack, and to expand our perimeter.

Fortunately, the division's 155mm howitzer battalion has arrived, which will greatly augment our counterbattery effectiveness. The 7th Marines have also arrived, so we can begin offensive operations in earnest.

[StephanFH]

This is very interesting indeed. I look forward to your next report!

Steve

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: StephanFH

This is very interesting indeed. I look forward to your next report!

Steve

Thank you, Steve. I'm using "Campaign Watcher" to track the development of my Combat Team. So far, our average experience has jumped from 62 in August to 70 in October. Our average morale has greatly increased, from 74 to 85.

I'm keeping equipment upgrades in line with actual USMC reorganizations, which roughly correspond to each successive year of the war. The 1/5 is roughly based on the "D" series TOEs of July 1942.

In 1943 we will start looking much different, when we upgrade to the "E" series TOEs of April 1943. I'll explain as I go along.

[Frozen Stiffer]

.....waiting.....
 
.... I KNOW it's only been three days, but it feels like 3 YEARS! You hook me with your combat correspondece and now there's silence?!?!!?!?
 

[KG Erwin]

We now know the tenaciousness of the Japanese when they are defending. That was amply demonstrated at Tulagi and at Gavutu/Tanambogo in August. Therefore, we will precede our advance with a massive arty barrage.

Combat Team 15 will move on a broad front, with tanks/SPMs accompanying the infantry. The enemy will be waiting for us, and I have the uneasy feeling that this "advance" will degenerate into a direct frontal assault.

We may even be outnumbered, so I issue strict orders for maximum use of local fire support (mortars, MGs, tanks). I also directed that units under pressure should lay down smoke to blind the enemy. I don't want anyone blundering into an ambush.

[KG Erwin]

It's raining, and the difficult terrain is slowing us to a crawl. I see no way to reach our designated objectives within the alloted timeframe. It is miserable, muddy and hot. The men are slogging forward through the tepid undergrowth, hacking and cursing all the way. To make it worse, the ground is uneven, with slippery slopes further impeding progress. Here and there is practically a swamp, so clinging leeches also need to be pried from some Marines' legs.

Here is what Able Company is facing:

[KG Erwin]

Turn 7. We are gettting close. Sporadic mortar fire is being directed on Able Company. I've already ordered up counterbattery.

Turn 10. An artillery duel so far. No enemy infantry positions have yet been spotted. Soon -- very soon.

Turn 11. Here it comes. The enemy's talent at concealment is extraordinary.