tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70127810404329467082024-02-19T08:51:22.751-06:00Through Peleliu And High WaterBill Weathersby, Jr.'s journey in World War II. This blog is a time line, based on records, journals and sometimes guesses regarding my father's service...beginning with the United State's entry into the war, Daddy's attempts to join the Army Air Corps, to enlisting with the Marines and his experiences until returning home. 2018 marks 75 years since he started down the path to being part of The Greatest Generation.Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-79228646558166675812017-03-13T14:38:00.001-05:002017-03-13T14:40:15.789-05:00WWII Museum Memorial BrickSection A, 12 9 on Magazine Street.<br />
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-344505294129571352014-11-14T14:16:00.000-06:002014-11-14T14:16:44.133-06:00November 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On September 26, 1944, Daddy flew from Peleliu on a C-46 (Curtis R5C in the Marine Corps), "Little Angel" to the island of Manus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curtis R5C in World War II</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The reason for his departure from the island remains a mystery, but one that I will continue to investigate. We have his medical records and nothing is noted in this time frame that would indicate the need for medical evacuation. These dates are noted in the datebook he kept so we are sure the dates and places are accurate, but just don't know what happened. The 12th Defense Battalion was not removed from the island as a unit, but it is possible he was moved to the rear echelon. One Peleliu veteran we talked to scoffed at this notion, saying that the Marines needed every able-bodied person on the island on September 26 so there must be another reason.<br />
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Daddy arrived back on the island November 10, 1944 on the S.S. Mintaka.<br />
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Colonel Kunio Nakagawa, commander of the Japanese forces on Peleliu, declared on November 24, "Our sword is broken and we have run out of spears". He then burnt his regimental colors and performed ritual suicide. <br />
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The island was officially declared secure on November 27, 1944 (although holdouts remained...some until 1947.) In one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. Marine Corps history, both the 1st Marine Division and the Army's 81st Infantry Division lost 1,508 KIA and over 6,600 wounded in 73 days. The Japanese had changed their strategy for this battle. They chose to abandon the tactic of attempting to stop U.S. forces at the beach. Colonel Nakagawa used the rough terrain on Peleliu to his advantage, by constructing a system of heavily fortified bunkers, caves, and underground positions all interlocked into a "honeycomb" system. The old tactic of the “banzai charge” was also discontinued as wasteful of men and ineffective. These two tactics would force the Americans into a war of attrition requiring more and more resources. This new battle strategy would also be seen on Iwo Jima in February 1945 but on a larger scale.<br />
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Below are some photos from Peleliu September 15, 1944 through November 27, 1944.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wounded Marines are carried from the front lines back to the beach on Peleliu, September 15, 1944.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jeep navigates the barren battle field September 1944.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a marine with a carbine covers the entrance, a pistol-toting officer moves up to clear out a bunker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Explosion near the airfield after it was serviceable by U.S. forces. The airfield was in use as of September 26.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A news correspondent snapped a picture of Frank Pomeroy holding his hands in his head, right after being rescued. He had been stuck for six days in the burnt jungle alone, with rescue prospects seeming bleak. He had three machine gun bullets in his leg and a bayonet wound in his knee.<br />
<a href="http://www.wickedlocal.com/x540125839/Boxford-veteran-going-back-to-WW-II-battleground" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wickedlocal.com/x540125839/Boxford-veteran-going-back-to-WW-II-battleground</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Navy corpsman gives a wounded Marine a drink of water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The casket of a fallen comrade, who fell in the battle for Peleliu island, is pushed into the sea by U.S. Marine honor guards during a funeral ceremony held aboard a Coast Guard manned transport ship operating in the Palau group, in September 1944.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cemetery on Peleliu</td></tr>
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-70068109360411651572014-09-30T11:21:00.000-05:002014-09-30T11:21:22.212-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 30, 1944 and Peleliu Casualty Summary for September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-90863283939582969432014-09-29T15:59:00.002-05:002014-09-29T15:59:22.985-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 26 - 29, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is a continuing mystery regarding Daddy's service that we have not been able to figure out. In the date book that he kept during the war, he has noted that he flew from Peleliu September 26 to Manus Island, then returned to Peleliu on the SS Mintaka for the remainder of the war. This is a pretty detailed account, and we are certain he kept up with the dates so don't think this could be wrong. However, there is no documentation on the muster rolls (we may not have complete footnotes) or nothing mentioned of parts of the battalion leaving Peleliu on the Unit Diary. <br />
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I have been under the assumption that he transposed the letters "l" and "e" and that the C-46 was actually named "Little Angel", which leads me to think it was a Medivac plane of some sort. Again, nothing in his official medical records indicate that Daddy was wounded in any way, or was given medical care to this degree. Nothing to indicate any serious medical condition or "battle fatigue" (PTSD) or anything other than malaria in his medical records (which the dates don't correspond to September 26, 1944.)<br />
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So, more research is in order. I hope that one day me and/or Mama can figure this one out and I can update the blog accordingly. In the meantime, I will keep posting about the 12th AAA and Daddy's service.Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-24881748996162965672014-09-24T16:57:00.003-05:002014-09-24T16:57:44.606-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 24, 1944 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" /></a></div>
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Daddy was in "C" BatteryLarry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-35637015187417216102014-09-23T17:08:00.000-05:002014-09-24T16:54:32.005-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 23, 1944 - Radar, searchlights and 90MM guns unloaded<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>The HAA Group was Daddy's main unit. He was part of Battery "C" as a Fire Control Man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyWJ7i5QXQc6skVGpIm-zWVSjWwbsWhq_Mb0_ZxU7J7WKQB9KM34rlY1XV9ryV5YylBstWGbsJGvQ9sjObneo2_mtKVdhRkZQlh1bAyIo_XbWe9SBkfw4WkiYGopDGOPoxPxQc_g0066h/s1600/Sep_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyWJ7i5QXQc6skVGpIm-zWVSjWwbsWhq_Mb0_ZxU7J7WKQB9KM34rlY1XV9ryV5YylBstWGbsJGvQ9sjObneo2_mtKVdhRkZQlh1bAyIo_XbWe9SBkfw4WkiYGopDGOPoxPxQc_g0066h/s1600/Sep_23.jpg" height="268" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below are some photos and setups of the radar systems mentioned in the entry above used by the 12th :<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1fEA0GccOTko83RZI5oqnqkDye3O5vF3zw1r77vojqZ0zHcQWwxIDiHvT5Cvw_9aJrh4wa9FMIodxNyBCaAH_K1AWuyoDQtl9iJ52EsLRWOfA6GOYhtkT7ZnyFkWWdpqplhMJBQaKpXi/s1600/scr268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1fEA0GccOTko83RZI5oqnqkDye3O5vF3zw1r77vojqZ0zHcQWwxIDiHvT5Cvw_9aJrh4wa9FMIodxNyBCaAH_K1AWuyoDQtl9iJ52EsLRWOfA6GOYhtkT7ZnyFkWWdpqplhMJBQaKpXi/s1600/scr268.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The SCR-268 radar, seen from the back, or control, position, showing the azimuth receiving array at left, the elevation receiving array at right, and the transmitting array in the center. Bottom: artist's illusration of a typical searchlight and SCR-268 setup, including transport vehicles. AAA guns would be sited further away, but would be connected to the light, radar, and controller units with cables.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKncGwJxD5Hr7SlEis-gdSgaDqlWc4rJ391LTLSdQI-9HU_OYZSQhbFTQDGC6qCmXpWnBja5lBnfR3JFqIlzu4z_ay5uaXxhVMmscO9io0V6pQSvfAZ9t_tRT2K9I-4346sX8VsO6Z_AzT/s1600/elec-09-1945-scr-270-fig1-i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKncGwJxD5Hr7SlEis-gdSgaDqlWc4rJ391LTLSdQI-9HU_OYZSQhbFTQDGC6qCmXpWnBja5lBnfR3JFqIlzu4z_ay5uaXxhVMmscO9io0V6pQSvfAZ9t_tRT2K9I-4346sX8VsO6Z_AzT/s1600/elec-09-1945-scr-270-fig1-i.jpg" height="594" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb4bqZC0i7MncRKrVM5Nx1YaMN9aAOATC-CWVTcx-y6B_xINgUlvPIxN_MtwIlZ8MkbIU6zetkp7b-joz7CRNSEHPgKr_gMkErLKRClDwyyS_ILTRuAm6irtW21HqLpz9LzuMyQMA4Zig/s1600/SCR268-radar-guadalcanal-19420807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb4bqZC0i7MncRKrVM5Nx1YaMN9aAOATC-CWVTcx-y6B_xINgUlvPIxN_MtwIlZ8MkbIU6zetkp7b-joz7CRNSEHPgKr_gMkErLKRClDwyyS_ILTRuAm6irtW21HqLpz9LzuMyQMA4Zig/s1600/SCR268-radar-guadalcanal-19420807.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SCR-268 radar emplacement on Guadalcanal 1942</td></tr>
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The SCR-268 was considered a searchlight radar ; a short-range, height-finding unit expressly designed for fixed antiaircraft defenses such as coastal batteries or other static positions. The method for using the SCR-268 would be to use it to pick up the airplanes at night and to synchronize the radar plot with a searchlight through an already developed gun director. The director performed the basic mathematical function of taking the range and angle data out of the radar and aimed the searchlight in that direction. At the appropriate moment, when range and angle to target were known, the controller would order the searchlight turned on. At that moment, the target was illuminated and it could be engaged by guns. A side benefit was that the pilot would be blinded. It was also advantageous to wait as long as possible to turn on the light since the longer the beam remained on, the more vulnerable the light and crew was to retaliatory fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxC0oRLKEcymezf6znG9KnmYgsOmHkBEnYSXShJhL0_XitufaOYX5aaxcA6CzMDJ5Zce2OTl3JlwiZGompm-Yb-XuaRpTWgPiNetMkxNZ_HkZsYagF4XsmAK0f5IbcHwN28dPj7GAtX0P/s1600/marinelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxC0oRLKEcymezf6znG9KnmYgsOmHkBEnYSXShJhL0_XitufaOYX5aaxcA6CzMDJ5Zce2OTl3JlwiZGompm-Yb-XuaRpTWgPiNetMkxNZ_HkZsYagF4XsmAK0f5IbcHwN28dPj7GAtX0P/s1600/marinelight.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">PFC Homer Amay, USMC, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, adjusts the detector controls on a 60-inch searchlight during training at the Marine Ordnance School, Quantico, Virginia on August 13, 1942.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzd1EQ2qvAZDBWXqE8CzImtQocX-XUGf1VJS7SPbrth7qjWWaBFuf8CqsGMZyHDbeMlSkzHi_2xf21P0GrgFApIHEz2omT5Pshk-TNJnSVdrYRL0wdjKWKgFlnJ3yWxawbgdZrwpTMX5y/s1600/bmlight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzd1EQ2qvAZDBWXqE8CzImtQocX-XUGf1VJS7SPbrth7qjWWaBFuf8CqsGMZyHDbeMlSkzHi_2xf21P0GrgFApIHEz2omT5Pshk-TNJnSVdrYRL0wdjKWKgFlnJ3yWxawbgdZrwpTMX5y/s1600/bmlight1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">A restored General Electric searchlight from the wartime era in California; (left to right) the restored light, control station, and generator.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJNrKUthBYl2pcCbXUaO2uc8LSoDGm9TlEoKhDcfx-ZXISKiuJ-_V3S8OPxBoLsuvPXl3SM9CGLzTRWizfua5H_PGnnZv2Zz4FdLpepC0WRso0DiQOdM5YxMzqRV74FK3P-7M4yDbmttr/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJNrKUthBYl2pcCbXUaO2uc8LSoDGm9TlEoKhDcfx-ZXISKiuJ-_V3S8OPxBoLsuvPXl3SM9CGLzTRWizfua5H_PGnnZv2Zz4FdLpepC0WRso0DiQOdM5YxMzqRV74FK3P-7M4yDbmttr/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-0.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The crew of a 90mm gun stands by for action in the Solomons during November 1943.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHPCmKOLBj3DO7BBGYGziKBJpFyKXwif5l47XVJjtZSPwt1bX0hRnsNvZBA-dB4DEM9NR96_Y-GcMpLvBcYDv4K_MZkohWQcKoJehBqmi8BqUy5JcamwOL4SeUPrEKcdjw2bdBPRGRn32/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHPCmKOLBj3DO7BBGYGziKBJpFyKXwif5l47XVJjtZSPwt1bX0hRnsNvZBA-dB4DEM9NR96_Y-GcMpLvBcYDv4K_MZkohWQcKoJehBqmi8BqUy5JcamwOL4SeUPrEKcdjw2bdBPRGRn32/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-14.jpg" height="640" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This 3rd Defense Battalion 90mm antiaircraft gun, dug in at Guadalcanal, served in a dual role with its ability to engage targets on the ground as well as in the air.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLf2UQaly1wT0kZ5UNWWTHtE1o_t8Ket4m_qKTfL_NreKcyzSbLkQoSg_WZQ8BoXBZkA5_QaF-dLi-ZRV4aKP_eqelGPzlWgJpBxHxqbnAjbj-OGcfAdLNsMdBIjdwOQ_QKmG1vz5KTa2/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-17a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLf2UQaly1wT0kZ5UNWWTHtE1o_t8Ket4m_qKTfL_NreKcyzSbLkQoSg_WZQ8BoXBZkA5_QaF-dLi-ZRV4aKP_eqelGPzlWgJpBxHxqbnAjbj-OGcfAdLNsMdBIjdwOQ_QKmG1vz5KTa2/s1600/USMC-C-Defense-17a.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The 90mm antiaircraft guns on Rendova, as this one, threw up a barrier of fire to protect the troops attacking Munda airfield from enemy air raids and, in doing so, showered shell fragments on the Marines across New Georgia at Rice Anchorage.</td></tr>
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Typically, each 90mm AAA Gun Battallion consisted of a Headquarters and HQ Battery, and four firing Batteries, A to D. Each firing battery had four towed 90mm guns plus fire direction equipment. <br />
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The 90mm AAA had an altitude capability of 30,000 feet and a range of 14 miles, firing a 24 pound shell. The ammunition was improved dramatically when fitted with VT proximity fuses at the end of 1944. The 90mm gun was very effective and was credited with downing many enemy aircraft during World War II. A single 90mm gun could put 20 to 28 rounds in the air every minute -- a battery of four guns was devastating when on a single target. A crew of 8 to 10 was required to operate and maintain the 90mm gun, including the section chief, loader, gunner, azimuth pointer, elevation pointer and an ammo section.</div>
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<a href="http://www.ww2gyrene.org/special_weapons_battalion.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">From World War II Gyrene</a>:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The 90mm gun section was commanded by a sergeant, designated as the section chief. A corporal served as the gunner, and also commanded the gun squad. One Marine was responsible for traversing the gun, and another for elevating and depressing it. A corporal and four Marines were assigned to the ammunition squad. Finally, a driver was assigned to the section. The gun was towed by a 2 & 1/2 ton truck, or sometimes by a bulldozer for short distances.<br />
The battery was usually aimed and fired at as a coordinated unit against aerial targets. Battery headquarters was connected by field phones to the guns, and the fire direction center telephoned deflection, elevation, and time of flight out to the gun sections. The headquarters' director squad gathered data on the incoming targets's direction, altitude and speed, and then fed this data into the director set, which was a simple computer that estimated elevation and deflection for the guns, as well as flight time in seconds to the target. Information on the enemy's location usually came via radar, typically the SCR-268 search radar. In an emergency, the direction squad could could the enemy's speed, range and altitude by visual estimation. Upon receiving the data, crews set their guns, and fired at the coordinates, usually in massed fire at a single target. </blockquote>
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-71799226841816975072014-09-20T08:07:00.001-05:002014-09-20T08:07:55.930-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 20, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-27265192178280233292014-09-19T09:53:00.000-05:002014-09-19T09:53:03.990-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 19, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-78143515054218122852014-09-18T07:20:00.001-05:002014-09-18T07:20:57.614-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 18, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-76632540363776337322014-09-17T07:17:00.000-05:002014-09-17T07:17:27.403-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 17, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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September 17 was when Daddy noted he went ashore on Peleliu. There are no entries on the unit diary about the Heavy AA Group, but it looked like a busy day for the 12th AAA.<br />
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-26556379479705152352014-09-16T08:24:00.000-05:002014-09-16T08:24:00.283-05:00Battle of Peleliu Timeline & Photos : September 16, 1944<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyxFBYYzUQdG7BKbT_0_07YrwIRn1E7__xA4Ibz9_SLXdEZtcTRVRZRpE7hgd3rCPHlEhjTdB3hFOGlYHGXW0aA9VQn_VhBn1ErF5GF7cHrpyTZg8QXyY-xqP3t0hEYWaWqpLHdaedSm3/s1600/marines_on_peleliu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyxFBYYzUQdG7BKbT_0_07YrwIRn1E7__xA4Ibz9_SLXdEZtcTRVRZRpE7hgd3rCPHlEhjTdB3hFOGlYHGXW0aA9VQn_VhBn1ErF5GF7cHrpyTZg8QXyY-xqP3t0hEYWaWqpLHdaedSm3/s1600/marines_on_peleliu.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marines on Peleliu, September 1944</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 1.4em;">D +1 — September 16</span><sup>th</sup></h3>
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10:00 a.m. temperature is 100 degrees and rising.</div>
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Hundreds of Marines are incapacitated by petroleum-contaminated water shipped in fuel drums that were not scrubbed.</div>
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Marines from the <span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">16<sup>th</sup> Field Depot</span> volunteer and are accepted for combat duty.</div>
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<span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">5<sup>th</sup> Regiment</span> takes the airfield.</div>
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<span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">1<sup>st</sup> Regiment</span>, <span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">2<sup>nd</sup> Battalion</span> takes <span class="place" style="font-style: italic;">Hill 200</span> with a loss of 200 Marines, denying the enemy direct observation of the beachhead.</div>
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<span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">1<sup>st</sup> Regiment</span>, <span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">1<sup>st</sup> Battalion</span> take the east ridge at a cost of 250 Marines. The <span class="unit" style="font-family: serif; letter-spacing: 0.12em;">1<sup>st</sup> Regiment</span> is now down to 2/3<sup>rds</sup> strength with over 1,000 casualties in 48 hours.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marines on Peleliu. Flamethrower on left and M-1 Carbine on right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marines inspect a Japanese tank knocked out at the airfield. Peleliu September 1944<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-24351782253140468042014-09-16T08:03:00.003-05:002014-09-16T08:03:49.730-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 16, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Daddy was still on the SS Crescent City waiting to go ashore. The Marines already on the island were just beginning to realize what a hornet's nest they had landed on.Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-72041182056538784232014-09-15T05:21:00.001-05:002014-09-15T05:21:21.579-05:0012th AAA War Diary - September 15, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlQMyQvXQSGW2JGSu6p-NUw5vAlDoNVn9zNRl86HC3IMgmBzCo_7P-kMCcGtk18PsTnNf_4PIFnypUl-nldf6PyvvdL2FE73O6f1IGpOHAU-xXRI5sWlIvahK7Vj4a5BtDjVi89k4wYH/s1600/Sep_1944_Unit_Diary.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-65923063353104607742014-09-15T05:20:00.000-05:002014-09-15T05:20:08.756-05:00September 15, 1944 - D-Day on Peleliu<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Iqu5NmhtjVtB9gN9crGUI712rA8aKQ5aSQYjGAr7JEebYYsEJ4JwDJy1vEoSRcky53Q3asoo0EOk0WZwKfHXBfGHag4zrXqXfrcbC-u7wzjst2tXpFF2haPVF4zV6NdPkk0B8vzAynmF/s1600/First_wave_of_LVTs_moves_toward_the_invasion_beaches_-_Peleliu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Iqu5NmhtjVtB9gN9crGUI712rA8aKQ5aSQYjGAr7JEebYYsEJ4JwDJy1vEoSRcky53Q3asoo0EOk0WZwKfHXBfGHag4zrXqXfrcbC-u7wzjst2tXpFF2haPVF4zV6NdPkk0B8vzAynmF/s1600/First_wave_of_LVTs_moves_toward_the_invasion_beaches_-_Peleliu.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first wave of LVTs moves toward the invasion beaches, passing through the inshore bombardment line of LCI gunboats. Cruisers and battleships are bombarding from the distance. The landing area is almost totally hidden in dust and smoke. Photographed from a USS Honolulu (CL-48) plane.</td></tr>
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70 years ago today, the 1st Marine Division began the invasion of Palau (Peleliu and later, Anguar and Ngesebus Islands.)<br />
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In the video clip below, Eugene Sledge gives a brief description of the landing from his perspective.<br />
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Thankfully, my father was not part of the initial landings (his date book has September 17 noted for Peleliu.) He was on the SS Crescent City with others of the 12th AAA watching the invasion unfold. He remained impressed his entire life with the 16 inch guns of the battleships; how loud they were and the damage they were doing.<br />
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Below are some of the photos Marine photographers took of the landings September 15, 1944. These are some of the photographs my father had in his mementos of his service.<br />
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-37235962681123654492014-09-08T14:07:00.000-05:002014-09-08T14:15:19.228-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 8 - 14, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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70 years ago today, the task force for the invasion of Peleliu was underway from Guadalcanal. MajGen William Rupertus was said to have informed the Marines that Peleliu would be a 3 to 4 day operation. It turned into one of the bloodiest battles, per capita, ever recorded for the 1st Marine Division, and would last well into late November (even though the island was declared "secure" September 27th.)<br />
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Below is a video of a few short clips of veterans of Peleliu explaining how different the Battle of Peleliu was, compared to the previous island campaigns of the Pacific to that date. Starting with Peleliu, the Japanese changed their strategy and would put up minimum resistance to the landings, then settle in to bunkers/caves with connection tunnels below ground and wait for the Americans to come to them. The same strategy was used later on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.<br />
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-78440181964402991342014-09-02T12:30:00.000-05:002014-09-02T12:30:05.190-05:0012th AAA War Diary : September 1 - 7, 1944<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-57376448479796874452014-08-30T09:08:00.003-05:002014-08-30T09:08:47.392-05:0012th AAA War Diary Entry : August 30 - 31<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-17914268461363802962014-08-28T08:03:00.001-05:002014-08-28T08:03:37.826-05:0012th AAA War Diary Entry : August 27-29<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-5332356084090599702014-08-28T07:56:00.002-05:002014-08-28T07:56:23.304-05:00August 28, 1944 - USS Crescent City<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">USS Crescent City APA-21</td></tr>
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On this day in 1944, Daddy boards the SS Crescent City to rehearse landing operations and then be shipped to Peleliu.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">An aerial photo of USS Crescent City during World War II</span></td></tr>
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-81481677110898852342014-08-26T16:26:00.000-05:002014-08-26T16:26:03.101-05:00Bob Hope on performing for the First Marine Division on Pavuvu<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfCkv2eQjD9EZXrGlwYyqaIhv6HphjOGl1Fu_RdcAf-70GK4Lz0G5KzXM7-08UjeI0yrlyg7Nv0YFDd0loDy08SebCDeSC-pnFirPtfirUBqOx0FTxfKGxF9BUp1-_tuC_YMACGkOlXN2/s1600/Pavuvu_crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfCkv2eQjD9EZXrGlwYyqaIhv6HphjOGl1Fu_RdcAf-70GK4Lz0G5KzXM7-08UjeI0yrlyg7Nv0YFDd0loDy08SebCDeSC-pnFirPtfirUBqOx0FTxfKGxF9BUp1-_tuC_YMACGkOlXN2/s1600/Pavuvu_crowd.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd of Marines for Bob Hope's show on Pavuvu</td></tr>
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Bob Hope performed for the First Marine Division on Banika and Pavuvu in mid to late August of 1944. In an interview later in life, he shared how much that show impacted him.<br />
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<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-49949921329756960822014-08-19T13:23:00.002-05:002014-08-19T13:23:59.812-05:0012th AAA War Diary Entry : August 19-26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtknvYRRhmZX8Jx2jUmuOZHP2bkMeUOVnQgwcKqL25-JbRotrD1LspKnzIdQXf6m8kLpTVgg7HTNCmD1QkAMmhFhC3M32YSBzf2LcjL4Hc_fk0Cp9KSHUcb-mHNH0Mt6XmlI7yvDLrjU7A/s1600/Aug_1944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtknvYRRhmZX8Jx2jUmuOZHP2bkMeUOVnQgwcKqL25-JbRotrD1LspKnzIdQXf6m8kLpTVgg7HTNCmD1QkAMmhFhC3M32YSBzf2LcjL4Hc_fk0Cp9KSHUcb-mHNH0Mt6XmlI7yvDLrjU7A/s1600/Aug_1944.jpg" height="576" width="640" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>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. <div>
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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.) </div>
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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.</div>
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The entry for August 19-26 is as follows :</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEpagSeuCQMUDA3Wqmhma1mMaVwzXyHIccnt4fqHi5OuRT7o3Ze8Z3CjSUzXrMVAn0uTrWh8oWmgn1k0wvHnCSTIv26_n3sTYIOVmyMBCXBT5Az6UoPtMhf0D9jZiWS91505EezP4U34u/s1600/19_Aug_1944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEpagSeuCQMUDA3Wqmhma1mMaVwzXyHIccnt4fqHi5OuRT7o3Ze8Z3CjSUzXrMVAn0uTrWh8oWmgn1k0wvHnCSTIv26_n3sTYIOVmyMBCXBT5Az6UoPtMhf0D9jZiWS91505EezP4U34u/s1600/19_Aug_1944.jpg" height="56" width="640" /></a></div>
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The training was almost over. Daddy's first (and thankfully only) significant battle experience was only about a month away.</div>
Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-29514618345448470852014-06-09T06:42:00.001-05:002014-06-09T08:55:43.260-05:00June 9, 1944 - BanikaDaddy, and his battalion were transferred to Guadalcanal, then Banika Island in June 1944. <br />
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<img src="http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Guadalcanal/maps/USA-P-Guadalcanal-15.jpg" height="328" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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There aren't many photos of the U.S.M.C. in Banika and I can't find any information online as to what they did there, but the assumption for me is more training and boredom.<br />
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<img src="http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/bases/img/bases2-p260.jpg" height="313" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /></div>
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Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-67134856988654049252014-06-08T21:10:00.002-05:002014-06-08T21:10:42.548-05:00In His Own Words : A Lesson On Stills From The USMCWhat do Marines do when they are bored? Anything they can think of.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm including this clip now because I'm not sure where this happened, either Pavuvu or Peleliu after it was secured. I'm only guessing that between cleanup up Pavuvu and training, Marines had a lot of time on their hands on Pavuvu. I don't know how much fruit was available on Peleliu after that battle...the island looked pretty much like a wasteland.<br />
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Q: Tell me about that Staff Sgt. who was making bootleg whiskey.<br />
A: Well, he wasn't a Master...he was a Master Gunnery Sgt.; six stripes...regular Marine; he had been in the Marine Corps before the war broke out. He had his own still and he could take any kind of fruit, dried or otherwise and make white lightening out if it.<br />
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Q: Did he sell it to people or give it to people?<br />
A: I don't know what he...he drank a lot of it himself! Is all I know..[laughter]<br />
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Q: What did he make the still out of, do you remember? What he had that he would have to bring it around with him?<br />
A: All he had to have was some way to heat it, and some kind of a pot, and fuel...alcohol or something. And, rig the copper tubing to cool it down to make liquid out of it again.Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-58974378012986175712014-05-22T06:20:00.001-05:002014-05-22T06:21:38.456-05:00Sid Phillips on his reunion with Eugene Sledge on Pavuvu and the conditions there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjlOUCPhrWc9avIYvxLg6EtS2Finu8D3Nyps4W0v_d29qEzITAtMEek07GnxYC6z1v1uPVGaVYJCSN4-mJl05sHDCeCT8gh5y3hyphenhyphenoKSPz7BERVaTXtPP7udk5KJPovtZl_0bT8kg7ndjU/s1600/pavuvu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjlOUCPhrWc9avIYvxLg6EtS2Finu8D3Nyps4W0v_d29qEzITAtMEek07GnxYC6z1v1uPVGaVYJCSN4-mJl05sHDCeCT8gh5y3hyphenhyphenoKSPz7BERVaTXtPP7udk5KJPovtZl_0bT8kg7ndjU/s1600/pavuvu1.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sid Phillips (author of <i>You'll Be Sor-ree!: A Guadalcanal Marine Remembers the Pacific War </i>and major character in the HBO mini-series <i>The Pacific</i>) recalls seeing his good friend from Mobile, Alabama after being separated for months. Sledge had just arrived in the Pacific and Phillips had fought at Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester and was about to go home. He also mentions, towards the end of the clip, the terrible conditions the Marines had to put up with on Pavuvu.<br />
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"If you were in the 1st Marine Division and you ever were stationed on Pavuvu, you never forgot it. It was a real miserable place, with millions and millions of land crabs and rats and the whole place was filled with...it was an old coconut plantation, and it had been neglected for the whole war and we spent most of our time cleaning up Pavuvu while we were there."</blockquote>
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I think Mr. Phillips was going to say the island was "...filled with rotting coconuts..." but worded it in a different way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.marinesidphillips.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sid Phillips Website</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.hbo.com/the-pacific" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Pacific - HBO</a>Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012781040432946708.post-64439674813151909902014-05-20T08:59:00.000-05:002014-05-20T09:01:49.262-05:00May 20, 1944 - PavuvuMay 20 marks the day that Daddy arrived on Pavuvu, the largest of the Russell Islands located northwest of Guadalcanal. The 1st Marine Division (which included the 12th Defense Battalion) had been sent there for encampment, training and R&R prior to their next engagement (which turned out to be the Battle of Peleliu.)<br />
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Pavuvu was intended to be a rest area for the 1st MarDiv, to recover from the bitter jungle warfare of Cape Gloucester, and previously, Guadalcanal. It turned out to be nothing of the sort.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The island had been a coconut plantation until 1941, when the native people abandoned the island after Japan began sweeping through the Pacific islands. By 1944, after the island had been retaken by the United States, rotten coconuts were everywhere. This attracted land crabs and rats, which the Marines had to endure their entire time on the island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOB2qfEzjdiwlzoYouVYhpbBuHukwQrUGIPF0yGp8rNJ4Xifwg_d5O7sRUZyIsyHr77uAsDB89-ZZJzoP7GT40WmDeFDnVzfNFcFFPxeEqgLOOTMOXQ15XlewuOUl4KWe-0rstb_nHV8a/s1600/pavuvu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOB2qfEzjdiwlzoYouVYhpbBuHukwQrUGIPF0yGp8rNJ4Xifwg_d5O7sRUZyIsyHr77uAsDB89-ZZJzoP7GT40WmDeFDnVzfNFcFFPxeEqgLOOTMOXQ15XlewuOUl4KWe-0rstb_nHV8a/s1600/pavuvu1.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut groves were abandoned 3 years prior to the Marines' arrival. One of the docks has been constructed in this photo.</td></tr>
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From <i>With the Old Breed, at Peleliu and Okinawa</i> by Eugene Sledge :<br />
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I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone interested in WWII, The Pacific Theater, the Marine Corps or any and all of the above. Sledge's recounting of his experiences provide a unique and at times, quite alarming view of what Marines endured, both in battles and, as he detailed Pavuvu, just every day life.</div>
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This book was also one of the primary sources of HBO's mini-series <i>The Pacific</i>, which I also highly recommend.</div>
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Similarly to Eugene Sledge at this point in the war, Daddy was a fresh recruit, and had only had training and occupation duty while on Cape Gloucester.</div>
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More to come in the following days of Daddy's comments on the islands and how some of the Marines he knew passed the time...</div>
<br />Larry Weathersbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918400771033616392noreply@blogger.com2