Amphibian Engineer Operations: Engineers of the Southwest Pacific 1941-1945 Volume IV

Amphibian Engineer Operations

Engineers of the Southwest Pacific 1941-1945 Volume IV

Reports of Operations, United States Army Forces in the Far East, Southwest Pacific Area, Army Forces, Pacific, 1959

by the Office of the Chief Engineer, General Headquarters Army Forces, Pacific Major General Hugh J. Casey, Chief Engineer

USGPO, Washington, D.C., 1959

FOREWORD

Amphibian Engineer Operations introduces a new and little-known type of Engineer — a soldier-seaman. Organized by the Corps of Engineers into Engineer Special Brigades, these specialists in invasion played a vital role in nearly 150 major and minor landing operations in the Southwest Pacific where amphibious warfare was the only feasible strategic method for seizing advance bases in order to extend Allied air, ground, and naval operations. These Engineers were recruited initially from among boat builders, small boat operators, marine enginemen, and others familiar with the sea, as well as landlubbers from all branches of military and civilian life. In actual operations afloat and ashore the Amphibian Engineers, in accord with their motto, “Put ’Em Across” the enemy-defended and reef-barricaded beaches of widely scattered objective areas in the Southwest Pacific.

To the Amphibian Engineers, intervening expanses of water were no obstacles, but instead were accepted avenues of approach. Before the establishment of Allied air superiority, engineer boat crews moved their craft under their own power into sea lanes originally considered too dangerous for large ships; often, with little or no air cover, they landed assault forces on enemy-held shores. Transporting critically needed supplies, ammunition, and personnel, the Amphibian Engineers manned not only their boats, but machine guns and rocket launchers with telling effect, as they subsequently maintained a lifeline of supply to the ground forces. By exploiting coastal and inland waterways in the forward objective areas, they substituted the medium of overwater resupply and evacuation for the overland transport which was impossible through the tangled jungles and trackless swamps of the Southwest Pacific.

From the day the Amphibian Engineers bucked a blinding storm and rode mountainous seas to land at Nassau Bay, New Guinea, through succeeding months and subsequent landings on New Guinea — New Britain — the Admiralties — Morotai — the Philippines — Borneo and into Japan, their versatile and far reaching tactical and logistical support proved indispensable. Yet, as Lieutenant General Robert L. Eichelberger remarked, “. . . their importance to the winning of the war in the Pacific and their solid exploits under difficulties have been insufficiently heralded.”

Even if the swiftly changing and spectacular events of total war provided little current publicity for these Amphibian Engineers, they never upped ramp without fixing their position permanently in the proud traditions of the Corps of Engineers by their outstanding performance. They emerged from the. rigorous tests of war with considerable tactical significance and left behind a record of an unprecedented Engineer job well done.

PREFACE

This Report of the Chief Engineer, General Headquarters, Army Forces, Pacific, is one of a series of eight volumes covering the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the Southwest Pacific during World War IL The series constitutes a detailed ac-count of the organization, operations, and accomplishments of Engineer components, from the headquarters level down to small units, and has been compiled with the aim of providing valuable reading and research material for higher staff levels of all branches of the military establishment and all officers of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army.

Engineer activities in World War II were so varied in doctrine and procedure in the different parts of the world that it may be many years before any one officer or group of officers can attain a thorough mastery of how the Engineer mission was accomplished in each Theater. These studies are designed to indicate to succeeding generations the character and extent of difficulties encountered in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). Problems of the same type may occur in future conflicts, and their proper solution could spell the difference between victory and defeat. Therefore the entire series is intended to serve not only as an over-all report on military engineering in SWPA during World War II, but also as a source of information for the various training, research, development, and supply agencies operating under the Chief of Engineers. In fact, these reports might well be of primary importance to the General Staff in formulating plans for future operations.

It is believed, then, that the present report will be of value to the Department of Defense in general and to the Corps of Engineers in particular. It should prove of interest to members of the Legislative Branch of the Government whose activities are concerned with the operations of the military departments. The reader interested in making a more detailed study will find in the footnotes an abundance of references to source materials. For the convenience of readers who may not be engineers, every effort has been made to avoid the use of strictly engineer terminology in an endeavor to present clearly and factually all significant detail.

Contents

CHAPTER 1. ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN BRIGADES: THEIR ORIGIN AND INTEGRATION INTO SOUTHWEST PACIFIC STRATEGY.

1. Background of Amphibious Warfare
2. Basic Principles
3. Landing Craft
4. Marines’ Technique
5. The German Viewpoint
6. Progress Report
7. British Developments
8. Churchill and Roosevelt
9. Development of the Engineer Amphibian Mission
10. Allied Strategy
11. Allied Conferences
12. Engineer Assignment
13. “Specialists in Invasion”
14. 'Braining Mission
15. Coordination Problems
16. Organizational Structure of the Brigades
17. Typical Brigade
18. Activation, Training, and Oversea Movement of Brigades
19. Training on Cape Cod
20. Specialized Training
21. Reorganization Plan
22. Casey Memorandum
23. Boat Assembly Plan
24. The 3d and 4th EAB’s

CHAPTER II. AMPHIBIAN ENGINEERS IN AUSTRALIA AND INITIAL EMPLOYMENT IN NEW GUINEA, FEBRUARY-SEPTEMBER 1943.

1. Tactical Background
2. Arrival of the 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade in Australia
3. Training of the 2d EAB
4. Boat Assembly and Procurement
5. Rehearsal in Australia
6. Reallocation of Amphibian Responsibilities and Brigade Reorganization
7. Reorganization of the Brigades
8. Final Preparations of the 2d ESB for Combat Operations
9. Movement to New Guinea
10. Nassau Bay, Tambu Bay, and Salamaua, 29 June—11 September 1943
11. The Allied Build-up
12. The 542d EBSR Called In
13. The Boat Control Plan
14. Daylight Boat Missions
15. Salamaua Falls
16. Lessons Learned
17. Lae, 4 September 1943
18. Planning for Lae
19. Staging and Rehearsal
20. General Heavey’s Views
21. Final Plans
22. Loading and Embarkation
23. Landings at Lae
24. Developing the Beachhead
25. The Second Phase
26. Crossing of the Busu
27. BoatOperations
28. The Fall of Lae
29. Lessons Learned
30. Finschhajen, 22 September 1943
31. Planning for Finschhafen
32. Assembly and Departure
33. Assault at Finschhafen
34. Developing the Beach
35. The Japanese Strike
36. Final Operations
37. Command Functions at the Brigade Headquarters Level
38. Appearance of the 3d Engineer Special Brigade in Southwest Pacific Operations

CHAPTER III. SECURING THE VITIAZ AND DAMPIER STRAITS, DECEMBER 1943-MARCH 1944.

1. Tactical Background
2. Initial Planning for New Britain
3. Arawe, 15 December 1943
4. The Landings at Arawe
5. Patrols and Reconnaissance
6. The 3d ESB Arrives
7. Lessons Learned
8. Cape Gloucester, 26 December 1943
9. Planning for Cape Gloucester
10. Movement to the Objective
11. Green Beach Landing
12. Yellow Beach Landings
13. Long Island, 26 December 1943
14. Talasea, 6 March 1944
15. Planning and Staging
16. The Landing at Red Beach
17. Capture of Talasea and Later Operations
18. ESB Support Operations on New Britain
19. Saidor, 2 January 1944
20. Planning for the Saidor Operation
21. The Landing at Saidor
22. Development of the Beachhead
23. Relief of the 2d ESB Operational Groups
24. Arrival of the 533d EBSR
25. Yalau Plantation, 5 March 1944, Postscript to DEXTERITY
26. Planning for Yalau Plantation
27. The Landing at Yalau
28. Subsequent Operations at Yalau

CHAPTER IV. ADMIRALTY ISLANDS AND NEW GUINEA, FEBRUARY-APRIL 1944.

1. The Admiralties—“Putting the Cork in the Bottle”
2. Planning for the Admiralties
3. Los Negros Island, 29 February 1944
4. Hauwei and Butjo Luo Islands, 11-14 March 1944
5. Manus Island, 15 March 1944
6. Roundup in the Admiralties, 11 March-18 March 1944
7. Hollandia {Humboldt Bay-Tanahmerah Bay) and Aitape, 22 April 1944
8. Planning for Hollandia
9. Staging Area and Movement Operations
10. Tanahmerah Bay, 22 April 1944
11. Humboldt Bay, 22 April 1944
12. Aitape, 22 April 1944
13. Retrospect — The Occupation of Madang, 24 April 1944

CHAPTER V. FINAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA AND ON MOROTAI OF THE MOLUCCAS, MAY-SEPTEMBER 1944.

1. Toem and the Wakde Islands, 17-18 May 1944
2. Planning for Wakde
3. The Battle for Wakde
4. The Drive Toward Maffin
5. Biak Island, 27 May 1944
6. Planning for Biak
7. The Landing at Biak
8. The Battle for Biak
9. Noemfoor Island, 2 July 1944
10. Planning for Noemfoor
11. The Landing on Noemfoor
12. Final Operations on Noemfoor
13. Sansapor, 30 July 1944
14. Planning for Sansapor
15. The Sansapor Landings
16. Final Operations
17. Morotai Island, 15 September 1944
18. Planning for Morotai
19. Rehearsal and Outloading
20. Overwater Approach
21. Red Beach Landing
22. White Beach Landing
23. Subsequent Beach Operations
24. Task Group 403
25. Final Operations on Morotai
26. Proposals for Reorganizing Engineer Special Brigades
27. Development and Improvements to Amphibian Engineer Equipment
28. LCVP versus LCM
29. Problems of LCM Assembly
30. The LCM(6)
31. Appearance of the 4th Engineer Special Brigade in Southwest Pacific Operations
32. Operations in Rear Areas

VI. RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES, OCTOBER -DECEMBER 1944.

1. The Tactical Situation
2. Leyte, 20 October 1944
3. Planning and Staging
4. Outloading and Rehearsals
5. Movement to the Objective Area
6. Green Beach Landings
7. Approach to the Northern Beaches
8. Red Beach Landing
9. White Beach Landing
10. Summary of Assault Phase Operations
11. Consolidation Phase at Leyte Beaches
12. 2d ESB Statistics and Logistics, 1944
13. Final Operations on Leyte
14. Ormoc, 7 December 1944
15. Palompon, 25 December 1944
16. Mindoro, 15 December 1944
17. Planning for Mindoro
18. Loading and Movement
19. The Landings at Mindoro
20. Off-loading in Record Time
21. The Amphibian Engineers Operate a Railroad
22. Operations Ashore
23. The LT plus 7 Convoy
24. The Japanese Navy Strikes
25. The U plus 15 Supply Echelon
26. Operations under Eighth Army
27. Final Operations on Mindoro

VII. THE PHILIPPINES LIBERATED. JANUARY JULY 1945.

1. Luzon—The Tactical Situation
2. Lingayen Gulf, 9 January 1945
3. Amphibian Engineer Planning and Staging
4. Approach to Lingayen Gulf
5. The S Day Landings
6. Beachhead Development, S plus 1
7. Red Beach, S plus 2
8. Operations Subsequent to S plus 2
9. Support Operations at Lingayen Gulf
10. Logistical Summary of Beach Operations
11. Some Conclusions and Lessons Learned
12. La PazSubic Bay, 29 January 1945
13. The Landings near La Paz
14. The Move to Subic Bay
15. Nasugbu, 31 January 1945
16. Mariveles—Corregidor, 15-16 February 1945
17. The Landing at Mariveles
18. The Corregidor Operation
19. Manila Harbor Opened
20. Caballo, El Fraile (Fort Drum), and Carabao Islands, 21 March-16 April 1945
21. Caballo Island
22. El Eraile Island (Fort Drum)
23. Carabao Island
24. 4th ESB at Manila
25. Rehabilitation at Manila
26. Secondary ESB Operations on Luzon
27. Coastal Missions
28. Construction at San Fernando
29. Aparri
30. Laguna de Bay
31. Batangas
32. Accolade by General MacArthur
33. Final Operations on Luzon: Bicol Peninsula and Dingalan Bay, 1 April-31 July 1945
34. Legaspi
35. Pasacao
36. Dingalan Bay
37. Camotes Islands and Masbate, 15-18 January and 3 April 1945
38. Ponson Island
39. Poro Island
40. Masbate Island
41. Northern Samar and Biri Island, 19-20 February 1945
42. Dalupiri Island
43. Capul Island
44. Macarite Island and Catarman, Samar
45. Biri Island
46. Palawan, 28 February 1945
47. Planning and Staging
48. Landings on Palawan
49. Off-loading at Puerto Princesa
50. Busuanga Island
51. Final Operations
52. Panay and Negros, 18 March-26 April 1945
53. Panay
54. Negros
55. Cebu and Bohol, 26 March- 11 April 1945
56. Cebu
57. Bohol
58. Mindanao and the Sulu Islands, 10 March-12 July 1945
59. Zamboanga
60. Basilan Island
61. Tawitawi Islands
62. Jolo Island
63. Malabang and Parang
64. Mindanao River Operations
65. Davao Gulf
66. Macajalar Bay
67. Agusan River
68. Sarangani Bay

VIII. FAR EAST VICTORY: AMPHIBIAN ENGINEERS IN BORNEO, OKINAWA, JAPAN, AND KOREA, APRIL-DECEMBER 1945.

1. The Liberation of Borneo
2. Tarakan, 1 May 1945
3. Brunei Bay, 10 June 1945
4. Balikpapan, 1 July 1945
5. The 1st Engineer Special Brigade at Okinawa, 1 April-31 May 1945
6. Planning for Okinawa
7. Landings on Okinawa
8. Operational Problems
9. The Engineer Special Brigades in Japan and Korea
10. The ESB Plan for Japan
11. Arrival in Japan and Korea
12. Accomplishments Reviewed
13. General Casey’s Summation

APPENDIX I. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LANDING CRAFT, LANDING SHIPS, AND AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES, 1941-1945

APPENDIX II. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING MOVEMENT OF ENGINEER

AMPHIBIAN UNITS TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

APPENDIX III. ASSEMBLY OF LANDING CRAFT IN A THEATER OF OPERATIONS

APPENDIX IV. OPERATIONS OF ESB BOAT POOL IN TACTICAL AND RESUPPLY

MISSIONS

APPENDIX V. THE 2d ENGINEER SPECIAL BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTERY

APPENDIX VI. AN AMPHIBIAN ENGINEER RECONNAISSANCE ON NEW BRITAIN

CHRONOLOGY (with Map)

GLOSSARY

GUIDE TO FOOTNOTES

INDEX

842 pages

40 maps

8 charts

3 tables

137 photos/illustrations