Rolling Thunder Against the Rising Sun by Gene Eric Salecker

Author:Gene Eric Salecker [Salecker, Gene Eric]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780811743624
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2008-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Company B/710th TB M4 tanks on Angaur Island, September 20, 1944. US ARMY

Aided by the tanks of Companies A and B, the 321st IReg moved against the small pocket on the eastern side of the mangrove swamp and against the swamp itself. Although the attack through the swamp quickly bogged down, the other attack was more successful and by 3:30 P.M. the eastern pocket had been eliminated. “This completed the operation in the southern half of the island,” said Rodgers. In reporting on the actions of his tanks, Colonel Rodgers wrote, “ALL enemy installations were fired upon with 75 and.30-cal. ammunition. The tanks then covered the enemy positions until demolition squads and bulldozers completed the destruction.”25

To the northwest, the 322nd IReg ran into more trouble as it struggled through the rising terrain around Romauldo Hill. During the morning advance, foot soldiers discovered a Japanese strong point at a large, lake-filled crater at the southeastern base of the hill. Unable to reduce the position on their own, the infantrymen called for armor. Unfortunately, because of the bad terrain, the platoon of Shermans sent over from Company B, 710th TB, was unable to get close to the crater. Without tank support, the infantry backed away and settled in for the night.26

While the fighting was still going on, General Mueller decided that since three-quarters of Angaur was now in American hands, he could declare the island secure. At 11:00 A.M. on September 20, 1944, tiny Angaur Island was declared secure.27 The same could not be said for Peleliu.

On nearby Peleliu Island, the 1st MarDiv was catching hell. Unable to dislodge the Japanese from the mountainous spine of the helmet’s wings, the Marines were suffering heavily. On the night of September 20, with Angaur declared secure, the 321st IReg, along with Company A and the Provisional Mortar Platoon from the 710th TB were ordered to prepare for a transfer to Peleliu. The “mopping up” of Angaur would be left to the men of the 322nd IReg, 81st IDiv. Assisting them would be the medium M4 Sherman tanks of Companies B and C, and the light tanks of Company D, which had finally come ashore.28

At 8:00 A.M. on September 21, the 322nd IReg and the tanks of Company C, 710th TB began assaulting the crater at the southeastern base of Romauldo Hill. Against stiff resistance, the men and tanks worked their way forward along a narrow-gauge railroad track, taking more than an hour to reach the lip of the crater. Once at the edge, the attackers discovered the only way into the basin was through a crevice-like opening which was blocked by a burning American 75mm SPM halftrack knocked out the day before. The tanks attempted to blow the SPM out of the way, and when this failed a satchel charge was thrown into the vehicle. Instead of demolishing the halftrack, however, the explosion only extinguished the flames. Finally, near noon, a few tankers ran forward under heavy enemy fire, hooked a tow cable to the disabled SPM and a tank pulled the halftrack out of the way.

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