Beginning today, I will be updating the blog with the unclassified war diary entries of the 12th AAA from these dates in 1944. I was able to make copies of these documents in August of 2009 at the National Archives. There are quite a few dates with nothing substantial, but some are quite interesting, and especially so once the unit lands on Peleliu September 15.
Although Daddy did not note this on his travel logs, it appears the 12th was on Guadalcanal for training (after being on Pavuvu and Banika) for the final stages of preparation for the invasion of Peleliu.
The previous August reports show that both LAA (Light Anti-Aircraft) and HAA (Heavy Anti-Aircraft) groups conducted 50 caliber AA target practice, participated in firing range practice "to zero in rifles and carbines" and also tested their gas masks in a gas chamber (which does NOT sound like fun.)
For reference, Daddy was in the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Group (HAAG), Battery "C". Most of the war diary entries pertain to the unit (12th AAA) as a whole, unless otherwise noted.
The entry for August 19-26 is as follows :
The training was almost over. Daddy's first (and thankfully only) significant battle experience was only about a month away.
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