Leyte 1944 by Clayton Chun

Author:Clayton Chun
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472806925
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 2015-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Troop movements on Leyte were sometimes inhibited by dug-in Japanese defenders in entrenched positions. After landing on Red Beach and moving towards Palo, these 24th Infantry Division soldiers faced an IJA machine-gun team. The soldier on the right operates an M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle. Squads used these weapons as light machine guns for direct fire support. (US Army)

Yamashita and Suzuki considered several counterattack options. The Thirty-Fifth Army’s planners counted on 1st, 26th, 30th, and 102nd division reinforcements. If the IJN could get these forces to Ormoc, then they would proceed north along Highway 2 to Carigara and hit the Americans. The IJA’s 68th Independent Mixed Brigade (IMB) prepared to land at Carigara, but the landing was cancelled due to American control of the area. Suzuki hoped these actions could push Krueger towards the invasion beaches. To mute the XXIV Corps, Suzuki directed 30th Division reinforcements to attack Burauen. He wanted them to land at Albuera, south of Ormoc, and then use mountain trails to strike east. This plan assumed IJA reinforcements sailed unmolested. Still believing that the American naval forces had suffered a bloody nose, the Japanese organized reinforcement convoys. Another issue was the American capture of the San Juanico Strait and the 24th Infantry Division’s northwest movement that could contest a Japanese counterattack. Still, Suzuki directed the 41st Infantry Regiment, 102nd Division units, and 57th IMB into the Jaro area.

American plans to capture Carigara went forward. Advancing towards Barugo, the 1st Cavalry Division units faced little opposition. The Jaro area was different. Although the 24th Infantry Division’s 34th Infantry Regiment easily captured Jaro on October 29, the advance north proved otherwise. Japanese soldiers stalled the forward movement from Jaro the next day. IJA troops sniped at the American infantry, which forced Krueger’s men to call in armor and artillery support. The Japanese retreated, the Americans advanced. Suzuki’s men employed artillery and mortar fire to harass the Americans. This encounter was a model of how to stall the Americans throughout Leyte. The Americans responded similarly. Relying on firepower and maneuver saved lives, but it slowed the American offensive towards Carigara. This tactic also put a drain on the logistical system.

Outside Jaro the 34th Infantry started marching north at 0800 on October 30. The Japanese contested the American move, and the 34th Infantry responded to enemy fire trying to stop the regiment. Japanese artillery and mortars hammered American movements within IJA observation. The Americans could go no further. Krueger responded with counter-artillery bombardments in hope of silencing the Japanese.

US and Japanese positions and movements from October 20 to November 2, 1944.

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