Bill
Coggin
Guadalcanal 1942
Friendly
Fire
Japanese Counter Attacks
Defense
South of the Airfield
Tenaru
Defense
West of Lunga River
Guadalcanal September - October
Dauntless
Dive Bomber Crash - December
Cape Gloucester
Bill Coggin
I was in Hq.Co. 2Bn. 1st.Marines { Reg. }. Bn.C.O. was Lt. Col. Pollock. I was in
the Bn. intelligence section. At Bn. level it was pretty basic.Patrolling, maintaining
observation posts and trying to keep our current position plotted on the poor
maps we had. The majority of us were recent recruits { Jan. 42. }and had been
aboard ship since mid June so we were ill prepared for the campaign.It was a learning
experience for all of us. Now I live in Topsfield, MA.
Guadalcanal
1942
Our maps of that time showed the Ilu River as the
Tenaru. The Ilu was farther east at Red Beach where we landed. We crossed
this river ? { more like a creek }many times as it wound like a snake inland {
south }. After landing at Red beach our Bn.s mission was to proceed on a compass
azimuth to the top Grassy Knoll and command the high ground behind the airfield.We
never got there. After 2 days of hacking through the jungle [ single file this
made a long column ] the Co. commander [ G ] abandoned the mission.
We
withdrew north toward the beach by wading {up to our armpits } down the Ilu We
came out of the river where a large unit had crossed into the southern end of
a long grass field and then south up onto a high open ridge.{ this field was the
same one later defended by the 3rd & 2nd. Bns. } There was a telephone wire
alongside the trail so contact was made with the unit that had passed. It turned
out to be the rest or our Bn.As we were taking a break there a person in army
fatigues scanned us with a camera [this photo showed up in history books ]
We
followed the wire up onto high open ground until darkness and then laid down where
we were.This was Aug.8th.It was hard trying to sleep on hard coral ground.As there
was intermit rain we were under our ponchos.
Sometime
after midnight a plane flew over. It sounded so different from ours I knew it
was Japanese. It dropped a series of flares that lit up the area like day.We felt
naked being exposed on that open ridge. Later after the flares went out we heard
naval gun fire and flashes on the horizon to the north west.This lasted a while
and it then it was quiet.[ This was the Battle Of Savo Island that was a disaster
for the U S Navy ]
The next morning[Aug 9th]
we made contact with the rest of our Bn. up ahead of us and was told our mission
to Grassy Knoll was cancelled as the 5th Marines and balance of the 1st Marines had occupied the airfield. Also our ship USS George F. Elliott
had been sunk during an air raid the day before.The last 2 days we had U
S planes overflying us [SBD s& F4Fs ]also sporadic rifle & machine gun
fire on the ground.This day was quiet, no planes or ground fire.
Our
Battalion was the last to withdraw to the beach and was given the mission of defending
against seaborn attack {north} and along the Tenaru {east} and with a open flank
some distance south of the sand spit.I am including this prelude to the Teneru
battle so you might understand how vulnerable we were and lucky that the Japanese
were so arrogant and stupid to believe that one of theirs {with his willingness
to die for his Emperor} was equal to10 Caucasians.
This was a strange time.{Aug 10th-20th} We were elated it had been so easy.{ lower
ranks weren't told of losses at Savo} and yet we knew because of the food situation
we were in trouble.
There was no mosquitoes or jungle
growth to contend with in the palm grove along the beach and western bank of the
Tenaru lagoon. Our C.P. was approx.200yds.west of Tenaru and 100yds.south of the
beach.Our O.P. was on the beach north of the C.P. There was a coastal road running
East & West.There was a herd of 4-6 horses on the Lunga plain also Brahma cattle
some if which were sloughed for meat.I saw Chevvy trucks with Jap marking's being
driven by Marines. There was a lot of material such as photo albums, candy, toothpowder,
sake and lumber also rice & oatmeal.This was all put to good use.Our food situation
was critical right away.We found out eating coconuts could cause diarrhea and
some of us paid that price.
Friendly Fire
During
the first week on the island units got separated from each other and not knowing
" who was where" fire fights would break out between friendly units most often
at night.Unfortunately this resulted in causalities. Later with more experience
and knowledge of the location of friendly units available this was less of a problem.
Still one had to be very careful moving around at night.I lost a very good friend
at Pelilu {I wasn't there} going
to the head at night.
When any American ship was
unloading offshore {daylight} our planes couldn't fly near them for fear of getting
shot down. Our high ridge O.P. observed a Wildcat in trouble,smoking engine,wheels
down having to approach over the ocean to land and a merchant ship shooting at
it with every gun it had.Fortunately it made the landing. No American aircraft
was easier to identify. Men under pressure are trigger happy.
Before
we had aircraft on Henderson I remember a B-17 buzzing the beach head and showing
up almost every day until our planes arrived.Aug.19th.the destroyer incident occurred.{we
watched this with our 19power scope}These ships had disembarked the first Jap
troops to our east.
Some of our equipment proved
to be faulty.[hand held radios & Reising sub machine gun]Word of the Savo Is.battle
was getting around and we were beginning to understand our predicament.Patrols
stripped wire off plantation fences to use at our defense positions.
Around
this time most of the Divison intelligence section were killed on the Goettge Patrol led by Col Frank B. Goettge. One of
our Sgt's was transferred there. All marine units provide their own security at
night and those on watch would sometimes fire at suspected Jap.infiltrates resulting
in return fire from other marines.The use of passwords was supposed to prevent
this.It never really did.
Japanese Counter Attacks
Occasionally
a Jap sub would surface off Lunga Point. A 75mm Half track would shoot at it and
force it farther off shore.At sunrise Aug.19th. our O.P. reported 2 Jap.destroyers
on the horizon steaming back & forth apparently shelling Tulagi.This went on until
a B-17 arrived and dropped 2 bombs and left. One bomb hit the stern of one of
the ships and started a fire which soon went out as they left.
Jap
planes started flying over around Aug.11.They didn't bomb at first but then did
so on a daily basis usually arriving about noon.They were twin engine Betty's
[27 in V formation] Occasionally our 90m.m.A.A knocked one down.
Defense
South of the Airfield
The next day Aug.20th.late afternoon
the first American planes landed on Henderson Field.[SBDs&F4Fs] Everyone cheered
anticipating tomorrow's aerial combat.
Our
1st. position was defending the beach and inland a short ways along the Tenaru
{ Ilu } river. {more like a lagoon } on the right {east } flank of the perimeter.
At that time it was all coconut grove extending from Lunger to Koli pt.along the
beach and inland 100 - 300 yds. After the battle at Tenaru the Pioneer Bn. built
a tank barricade across the sandspit, more wire was strung and more machine gun
positions dug and all positions with overhead. I'm sure there were no B-17's stationed
on Henderson while we were there. I remember C-47's & PBY's landing occasionally
but nothing larger.
The 3rd.Bn. 1st.took up position
extending south from our position on the tenaru {previously undefended }It ran
along a wide kunai grass field {1-300 yards .} approx. 600yds.and ended against
high ground curving back into the jungle with a open flank. This line generally
faced east across a open high grass field. Immediately behind this defense line
was approx.200yds.of jungle, the grass fighter strip and then Henderson Field.
History
records more accurate than I the actions of the Japs. I do know we had patrol
contact and we were probed at night at the Tenaru. 3rd Bn.was attacked at night
and next day Marine tanks were knocked out in the field in front of them.This
all culminated in the battle of Edson's Ridge.
In the middle of Sept. 2nd. Bn. relieved
3rd. Bn.I think they went to Kukom and then the Matanikau R. We {2nd.Bn.}
were in that position until Oct.13. It involved patrolling every day,to
the East,following the main trail the Japs had cut to the south of our
perimeter, bringing back Jap equipt. and sick stragglers from the battle
of Edson's Ridge.
Members of our section were fortunate whereas we
kept the Bn. situation map in the Col.'s C.P.we were privy to information not
readily available to the rifleman.Also we had ties with Reg.& Div. 2 Sections
where former 2nd.Bn. section members had transferred to.They {Burnham from Div.}
would visit us and give the latest scoop.{sometimes just rumors too}
Tenaru
Our
section was bivouacked near the Col.s tent with our foxholes nearby.Around midnight
a lot of activity occurred and about an hour later all hell broke at the Tenaru.There
was constant rifle&machine gun fire also shouting and the heavy thump of a 37mm
A.T. gun.This continued all night.The Bn.switchboard was busy all night and next
day.
At dawn the Col.left in his jeep. A "G" co.platoon
moved up the beach toward the Tenaru.Planes took off at this time also outbound
artillery rounds were passing over head. We were in our foxholes facing a little
clearing to our south. In about an hour our section chief suggested some of us
go to the Tenaru where the Col.was as observers.Scotty,Burnham and myself did
so.
As we approached the front we passed a Am. Tractor
{ Alligator} parked about 40 yds.from the action}behind which the two Bn. Dr.were
attending the wounded.Scotty chose to stay there and lay in a foxhole in front
of the tractor.Burnham and I advanced to the edge of the lagoon and out onto the
beach at the beginning of the sandspit.There were two empty foxholes dug in the
sand just below the beach bank at the edge of the palm trees.We occupied these.
Col. Pollock was standing and walking around erect telling everyone to stay low
and squeeze them off.His jeep was parked nearby with bullet holes in it. Jap bodies
covered the sandspit from the waters edge slightly behind us to the opposite grove
across the lagoon.
"G" co.had set up a 60mm Mortar
section and was dropping shells in the edge of the grove across the lagoon.When
the shells exploded in addition to bodies and parts flying there was clouds of
dust and the Japs would run trying to take advantage of the concealment.They didn't
get very far as many rifles would fire.Occassionally one would rise out of the
bodies on the sandspit with the same result.One actually stood up and surrendered
waving a white handkerchief only 40ft.in front of marine rifle's.
This
went on for quite a while before the firing slacked off and the word came the
1st.Bn.was advancing from the south & east.During this time Jap fire came our
way. Rifle fire hit the sand in front of us and near the Colonel's feet as he
was standing near us.Also a mortar barrage hit the top of palm trees showering
us with coconuts.This same barrage hit the aid station behind the Am. Trac.killing
one Doctor and wounding others including Scotty who took a piece of shrapnel in
his buttock.
Like everyone else Burnham and I had
fired our rifles and emptied our cartridge belts.{100rds.} and then some.As it
was pretty much over when we got there I don't feel we contributed much more then
being executioners.Not enough credit can be given to those who held these positions
during the night.
After the middle of the day the
sun was very strong.The carnage and odor became unbearable. I actually vomited.I
went back to the C P for a while.On the way I passed The surviving doctor [Dr.
Goldman] He looked worse than I felt. After awhile I went
back and rejoined Burnham.We watched the tanks moping up in the grove across the
lagoon and we saw the tank crew rescue incident then we left.
During
the night there was sporadic rifle fire from our side of the lagoon. The next
day the burial detail was busy with a bulldozer and Jap [Koreans?] prisoners.
I heard the count was around 800.There was all kinds of equipment laying around.
These people were well equipped. Among the things no body had any interest in
were some pieces of pipe about 4ft. long. A few days later I was at an new O.P.
location near the sandspit.A marine was boiling clothes over a open grated fire.Unfortunately
he was standing close to it when it exploded. He was killed.These pipes were bangalore
torpedoes for removing barb wire.We could have used that 6 mon.training at New
Zealand. I spent much time at this new O P location
Defense
West of Lunga River
After the night of the Battleships
Oct.13. we were relieved by Army troops and moved to the south west of Henderson.This
was an area of high coral ridges {sparse , thin grass } and thick jungle ravines.This
area was only lightly defended and the rifle co.'s had a difficult time cutting
heavy jungle and digging into coral to prepare positions. We had a O. P. on the
highest ridge and with a 20 power scope we had a view of the whole perimeter also
to the west where the Japs beached 4 ships.
We sent
patrols every day along the ridge tops to the base of Grassy Knoll {about 1 mile}
From the top the Japs had a good view of our perimeter. Along with the airfield
they shelled us constantly.They located our Bn.C.P.in a ravine between 2 open
ridge tops and laid shells on both ridges. There was casualties and we finally
moved theC.P.
Guadalcanal - September -
October 1942
Everyone was angry and griping when we got
the word to relieve the 3rd.Bn.on our inland right flank.We hated to leave our
strong positions on the Tenaru and the pleasant palm grove where there were no
mosquitoes and little mud.
Our new defense line ran
north to south along the western jungle edge of a wide kunai grass field approx
600 yds.and then curving back west into the jungle a short distance with an open
flank.Facing east across the field{1-300yds.wide}was a tree line that bordered
the Ilu creek .It was from here the Japs had launched their attack across the
field against 3rd.Bn.positions on the western edge that we now occupied.Also from
here Jap gunners had knocked out Marine tanks in the field the morning after the
attack.
At the Tenaru we had Jap probing action at
the same time as the 3rd. Bn.action.I seem to remember it happened after "Bloody
Ridge" but I can't be sure.
From our new position
daily patrols went out to the east.As usual for this time they were full company
size and important enough to warrant the attention of the Regimental Intelligent
Officer {Capt. Hunt} who participated along with 2nd. Bn. Intelligence people.
The
area to the east was flat grasslands intersected by patches of jungle that lined
the waterways meandering to the coast.The Japs had cut a trail from the east to
the Ilu and then south onto jungle covered high ground.It was deemed this was
the unit that hit "Bloody Ridge".Many interesting things were found
on this trail.
At the turnback point in a big open
high grass field {6ft.some places} a Jap Zero had crash landed and burned.The
fuselage and wing frames were still intact but no sign of the pilot.In these high
grass fields sometimes cattle would jump up and go charging off.Whereas you couldn't
see them it would be quite startling to say the least.
On
one patrol a Jap 75mm. mountain gun was found hidden near the trail.It was easily
disassembled and had harness's for man carry or dragging all assembled.We dragged
it until almost dusk and then hid it with the intention of going back for it the
next day.The next day it was gone.On another occasion we found a sick Jap following
the trail. The word was out for live prisoners so he had to be carried back.There
was much griping over that.We learned the Japs cut their trails with hand saws
instead of machetes. It was much more quiet.
Going
on these patrols we passed a Marine tank stuck in the Ilu creekbed between the
high banks.The upper half was burnt and there was the stench of death as we passed.
Just
a short distance past the tank off the trail there were two bloated Jap bodies.In
just a few days they were reduced to skeletons in uniform.
We
were only at this location about 3 weeks during which there was a full moon.I
remember our O.P.group at the edge of the field playing cards by moonlight. We
didn't have planes taking off over us constantly as at the Tenaru{there they would
test fire their guns right over us and the brass would come whistling down.}The
air raids were still a daily event.
We had an Army
Officer that had been flown in and was staying near our O.P.so we knew the first
army troops were due.We had been told we would be relieved by 164th Reg.{N.Dakota
Nat. Gd.} and we would take up new positions across the Lunga,S.West of the airfield.The
day they arrived,after unloading they had to spend their first night on the beach.
We
had become used to the navel shelling at night,but when this started we knew this
was something different.The star shells,salvos of six,and the heavy impact concussion.
{the ground shook.}Fortunately for us we were not that close to Henderson.{ about
1 mile I would guess} but we still had a 14" base plate land near "E"
Company's galley.
The next morning our army relief
showed up bedragled and bleary eyed.Some Marines had to say "You ain't seen
nothing yet", which was of course "Bull". These men on average
were older than us.{any Marine private over 25 gets called Pop.} and were carrying
M1 Garands which we admired.
That first day,myself
and other marines went on patrol with an army platoon to familiarise them with
the area.It was uneventful except for the usual air raid around noon. That morning
we learned there were Heavy Jap Ships west of the Matanikau unloading troops and
equipment and there was little our demolished air force could do about it.
We
left this location feeling we were being moved into harms way not knowing that
in 12-14 days those defending this corner and the line extended west would
be severely tested.
Dauntless Dive Bomber Crash
- December 1942
Your notes mention a S.B.D. crashing in
the jungle. I believe I was a witness to that.At our new command post location
at dusk, we were all in our sacks.This was very thick jungle with areas cleared
only for tents , galley and paths.As usual for this hour planes were passing overhead
to land.One plane's propeller started clipping the tree tops and he cut the power.
He came down thru trees bringing branches and debris and landed with a thud. No
explosion.
We rushed toward the sound.He landed on
the path between the tent area and the galley.About 100 yds. separates the two.He
had hit a big tree at almost ground level and had spun around 180 The engine
was laying to one side with just a flicker of fire..As it was dark a lantern was
brought out.Only the fuselage remained in one piece.
The
pilot was a Marine Capt {Captain Bill Spang} .alive, incoherent
and in bad shape.He was a big man.They cut him out of the plane and onto a stretcher
where the Bn. doctor attended him but to no avail. The next day airfield ordinance
arrived to salvage the 1000 lb bomb that had jarred loose but didn't explode.I
hadn't noticed the aerial gunner but had heard he was O K. Your notes tell me
this happened Dec.5.
After more study of your information
I am convinced the plane in the photo.has to be the plane that crashed into our
C P.
The darkness and restricted light from the lantern
would explain my not seeing the wings as everything was focused on removing the
pilot who was completely exposed with nothing in front of him except a few strands
of metal and cable. The next day I had to leave early to accompany a G Company
patrol, which was a daily routine event.When I returned late afternoon the ordinance
people had already left.
As this happened 58 yrs
ago I can't be sure of my memory but I don't remember seeing that plane again
or any parts of it. It would have been logical for ordinance to remove it along
with the bomb as it would've been a safety hazard {gasoline} so close to our living
area (only yards). It being a Carrier plane I assume the wings folded and with
the loss of weight {engine & bomb} it wouldn't be as difficult as I first
thought .Anyway it was moved at that time or later. This C P location was not
that close to the Lunga R. I can only guess 3 or 400 yds. or more.
The
crash site was in thick jungle and the plane had spun around creating a small
clearing as it came to rest. Radio Section people were the first there and were
the ones that pulled the pilot out. I don't recall seeing wings left on the plane.There
was no odor of gas and the rescue person was standing on something so there must
have been at least partial wings left. I wasn't there the next day when the bomb
was removed. It was difficult I heard because the ground was so soft.
I
do remember clearly Capt.bars on the pilots shirt and a wedding ring with others
on his left hand.We left the area around the 15th of December.I don't remember
clearly but I think the plane was still where it fell{along with the engine closeby}.It
was probably 50 yds. or so to the galley where there was a jeep & truck road
, so I suppose it could have been dragged out with some difficulty.I can't see
this happening with the wings left on unless they cut down jungle.
Your
location of the plane (west bank of the Lunga) on the aerial photo is exactly
right.We couldn't see the Lunger River,but we knew we were close to it. Facing
south our defense line started on our left on a very high bare ridge { where our
Bn, O. P. was } F Company extending west into jungle ravines {E & G Co.'s}
some distance onto high ground again.I don't remember who was on our right flank
{ If anyone }.
History books have shown a solid line
of defense around the airfield. This was not possible, but always an objective.On
our left from our high ridge {F Company} east down to the Lunga it was thick jungle
.Exact distance not known ,but not far. I don't believe there were any defense
positions on our side of the river. As was the practice it was no doubt covered
by artillery & mortar concentrations.
We spent
longer at this location than any where else { 2 months. } and in that time the
battle reached a climax and turned around in our favor.From our high ridge O P
we saw some remarkable air battles. Also probably the shortest bomb mission ever.
a SBD would take off, turn west, just get his wheels up and drop bombs on
4 Jap ships beached.
About 10 days later we were
relieved and went to beach to await transport.By this time we were all down to
skin & bones and couldn't climb a cargo net. On December 23, 1942 we went aboard President
Johnson and was our way to the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.
Cape Gloucester
Mr. Coggin recalls New Britain natives and the pidgin english
spoken there:
"Belly belongum me cryum out" means I
am hungry.
"Balus shitum
along sky" means Airplane drop bombs.
The New
Britain natives talked so fast, mispronouncing and running words together I could
never understand them. Amazingly Bob Emery could and they would understand him
and obey his instructions.They could throw up a leanto shelter in a very short
time. |
