Lshii Delay US Salamaua 12/7/41

[robot]

Salamaua New Guina
Decmber 7 1941
1300 Hours


We have been given orders to set up defenses here in New Guina and stop the U.S.Army at Salamaua. We have been told to expect very heavy anger from the enemy. As we are sure they have been told of the unexpected attack of pearl Harbor this morning. The United States has declared war on the Japan nation due to this unprovoked attack. I dont know how this will effect how well we do with our efforts to caprure and hold the territory we have taken and are still trying to take.

Today we will see how the Army of the United States handle there selves. This will be the first time we will face them today. Our men are eager to prove tthere selves. We have been told to take no captives and to show no mercy at all.

We have been training for the past 6 months in Japan and we are now ready to prove our worth. We are in high anticipation of the coming battle and figure we are better then any other fighting force in the world.

CO C made up of all SNLF troops will have the northern flank. Next to them on there right flank will be the veterans of CO A. To there right will be a platoon of light tanks. On there right will be B CO with two platoons of tanks to there right at the extrme south edge of the map. It is mostly jungle very dense too. Except to the front of A and B there is a very large open space. The US forces are well hidden in the eastern jungles and will not be seen until they move towards us.

We will be pounding those jungle positions with our heavy artty trying to force them to move out and towards us where we can see them. Should be a very hard and interesting battle today.

HQ: Lshii Heavy Tank
Col: Yasuji Okamura Commanding

[robot]

Salamaua New Guina
December 7 1941
1330 Hours

Thirty minutes has gone by already. Went by so fast never had a chance to really think much. They are coming at us sort of piece meal. Not really any kind of concentrated line so far. What we have seen mostly is those scout cars. Have already taken out at least 25 of them with any troops coming with them. Some tanks are begining to appear at the jungle perimeters. I believe we have taken out like two of them so far.

We have two brothers fighting side by side today. Both are sgts named Matui. Both dam good fighters. They are stationed at a little clearing of some what of a trail thru some of the jungle. Sgt Matui that commands a squad of SNLF troopers has taken out three of the scout cars with there knee morters. And the other Matui in command of a sec of ATR took out the other one. They still hold the trail and have not given up an inch even tho at one time having three of the cars coming at them. Trying to move a couple of ATG down to give them a little help.

Not a one of our men has broken or even thought about running. Even when at least 6 of those p35 planes made a run on us about 15 minutes ago. They devestated the right side of C Companys line with there bombs and strafing. The planes took out a squad and 2 of there AA guns. But our boys fought back and shot down four of there planes before it was ended. This battle is far from over but I see a very good victory for us today.

I believe our big guns hitting the jungle behind there line has kept the flow of there troopers to a minimum. Not much in the way of there infantry at all. If we can keep there tanks at bay this battle will be all ours.

HQ: VIII Lshii Heavy Tank
Col: Yasuji Okamura Commanding

[robot]

Salamaua New Guina
December 7 1941
1405 Hours


We have beat the U.S. Army and very handily I might say. They have given up the fight and only after an hour of some bitter fighting.

We lost 170 good men and friends along with 3 artty and 3 of our tanks. But we also did some very heavy damage to them. They lost 940 men 8 artty and 49 of there so called invincible tanks. We also were able to shoot down 5 of there p-35 planes.

All our men handeld there self extremely well today. Nobody ever once gave any thought to running. They all held ther ground and fought like demons today. Our ancestors had to be proud if they were looking down on us today. The Americans came at us with blood in there eyes and we stood up to them and bested them.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor this morning will not defeat us I am sure. We have not unleashed a beast today we have tamed a beast.

We have been given orders to move to the dock and begining loading so as to move to Luzon. We have been told we are to make an amphibious landing against the Americans at Gonzaga on the island of Luzon. It will be our first beach landing and I hope we are up to it. Im sure they will have the beach heavily mined and set with tough defenses. We will have over a month to train and prepare our selves for the next great battle we will face.


HQ: VIII Lshii Heavy Tank
Col: Yasuji Okamura Commanding