Second Battle for #Guam

Posted on November 11, 2019 by

9 Comments

Guam was captured by the Japanese as part of the Pacific Dominance campaign, attacking the island on the same day as Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. The United States took 3 years to battle back to liberate the only US possession ever captured in war. Here is the account of the retaking of Guam. My thanks goes out this Veterans Day 2019 to all veterans who saw this campaign, alive or dead, I salute you.

The Second Battle of Guam (21 July – 10 August 1944) was the American recapture of the Japanese-held island of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands captured by the Japanese from the U.S. in the 1941 First Battle of Guam during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Background

Guam, at 212 square miles (543 square kilometers), is the largest island of the Marianas, with a length of 32 miles (52 km) and a width ranging from 12 miles (19.31 km) to four miles (6.44 km) at different points of the island.[1][4]: It had been a United States possession since its capture from Spain in 1898 until it was captured by the Japanese on 10 December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the Japanese occupation of Guam, it was not as heavily fortified as the other Mariana Islands such as Saipan that had been Japanese possessions since the end of World War I. But by 1944, Guam had a large Japanese garrison.

The Allied plan for the invasion of the Marianas, Operation Forager, called for heavy preliminary bombardment, first by carrier aircraft and USAAF bombers based in the Marshall Islands to the east, then once air superiority was gained, close bombardment by battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.[1]:22 Saipan, Tinian, and Guam were chosen as the targets due to their size, their suitability as a base for supporting the next stage of operations toward the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands. The seaport at Apra Harbor was suitable for the largest ships; and air bases for Boeing B-29 Superfortresses could be built from which to bomb Japan. B-24 Liberators from the Marianas could also bomb Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands, such as Chichi Jima.[1]:22

The invasion of Saipan was scheduled for 15 June 1944, with landings on Guam tentatively set for 18 June.[1]:22 The original timetable was optimistic, however. A large Japanese carrier attack and stubborn resistance by the unexpectedly large Japanese garrison on Saipan led to the invasion of Guam being postponed for a month.[1]:25

U.S. naval and air bombardments lasted from 11–13 June 1944, involving 216 carrier aircraft and land-based B-24 bombers from the Marshall Islands. On the 12th and 13 June, 12 Japanese cargo ships and several fishing vessels were sunk. On 27 June, U.S. Navy battleships and cruisers started shelling the island, joined by a U.S. carrier group on 4 July, and two more on 6 July.[1]:42

Order of Battle

United States

US operational commanders at Guam

Vice Adm. Richard L. Conolly (TF 53)

Lieut. Gen. Holland Smith (Expeditionary Force)

Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger (III Amphib. Corps)US ground commanders at Guam

Maj. Gen. Allen H. Turnage, USMC

Brig. Gen. L.C. Shepherd, USMC

Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce, USA

Southern Attack Force (Task Force 53)
Vice Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian

Expeditionary Troops

  • Commanding General: Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith
    • Chief of Staff: Brigadier General Graves B. Erskine
      • Personnel Officer (G-1): Lieutenant Colonel Albert F. Metze
      • Intelligence Officer (G-2): Colonel St. Julien R. Marshall
      • Operations Officer (G-3): Colonel John C. McQueen
      • Logistics Officer (G-4): Colonel Raymond E. Knapp
      • Plans Officer (G-5): Colonel Joseph T. Smith

Southern Troops and Landing Force

III Marine Amphibious Corps

Subordinate units

III Marine Amphibious Corps Artillery

  • Commanding General: Brigadier General Pedro del Valle
    • Chief of Staff : Colonel John A. Bemis
      • Personnel Officer (A-1): Major James A. Tatsch
      • Intelligence Officer (A-2): Warrant Officer David G. Garnett
      • Operations Officer (A-3): Lieutenant Colonel Frederick P. Henderson
      • Logistics Officer (A-4): Major Frederick W. Miller

1st 155mm Howitzer Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: Colonel James J. Keating
  • Executive Officer: Major George H. Ford
  • Operations Officer (Bn-3): Major Marshall J. Hooper

2nd 155mm Howitzer Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Marvin H. Floom
  • Executive Officer: Major Gene N. Schraeder
  • Operations Officer (Bn-3): Major Earl J. Fowse

9th Defense Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Archie E. O’Neil

14th Defense Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel William F. Parks

Northern landing area (Red, Green and Blue beaches):

  • 3rd Marine Division (20,338 officers and enlisted)
  • Commanding General: Major General Allen H. Turnage
    • Assistant Commander: Brigadier General Alfred H. Noble
    • Chief of Staff: Colonel Ray A. Robinson
      • Personnel Officer (D-1): LtCol Chevey S. White (KIA 22J); Maj Irving R. Kriendler (From 22J)
      • Intelligence Officer (D-2): LtCol Howard J. Turton (To 28J); LtCol Ellsworth N. Murray (From 29J)
      • Operations Officer (D-3): Colonel James A. Stuart (To 28J); LtCol Howard J. Turton (From 29J)
      • Logistics Officer (D-4): LtCol Ellsworth N. Murray (To 28J); Col William C. Hall (From 29J)

3rd Service Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Durant S. Buchanan

3rd Tank Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Hartnoll J. Withers

3rd Marine Regiment

  • Commanding Officer: Colonel William C. Hall (To 28J); Colonel James A. Stuart (From 29J)
  • Executive Officer: Colonel James D. Snedeker

1st Battalion, 3rd Marines

  • Commanding Officer: Major Henry Aplington, II
  • Executive Officer: Major John A. Ptak (KIA 1A)

2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines

3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Ralph L. Houser (WIA 22J); Maj Royal R. Bastian (From 24J)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Royal R. Bastian (To 23J); Capt William R. Bradley (From 24J)

9th Marine Regiment

1st Battalion, 9th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Carey A. Randall
  • Executive Officer: Maj Harold C. Boehm

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines

3rd Battalion, 9th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Walter Asmuth, Jr. (WIA 21J); Maj Donald B. Hubbard (WIA 1A); Maj Jess P. Ferrill, Jr. (From 1A)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Donald B. Hubbard (To 22J); Capt Calvin W. Kunz, Jr. (From 22J)

21st Marine Regiment

  • Commanding Officer: Col Arthur H. Butler
  • Executive Officer: LtCol Ernest W. Fry, Jr.

1st Battalion, 21st Marines

2nd Battalion, 21st Marines

3rd Battalion, 21st Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Wendell H. Duplantis
  • Executive Officer: Maj Edward A. Clark

12th Marine Artillery Regiment

  • Commanding Officer: Col John B. Wilson
  • Executive Officer: LtCol John S. Letcher

1st Battalion, 12th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Raymond F. Crist Jr. (WIA 22J)
  • Executive Officer: Maj George B. Thomas

2nd Battalion, 12th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Donald M. Weller
  • Executive Officer: Maj Henry E. W. Barnes

3rd Battalion, 12th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Alpha L. Bowser
  • Executive Officer: Maj Claude S. Sanders, Jr.

4th Battalion, 12th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Bernard H. Kirk (WIA 21J)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Thomas R. Belzer

19th Marine Engineer Regiment

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Robert E. Fojt
  • Executive Officer: LtCol Edmund M. Williams

Southern landing area (Yellow and White beaches):

4th Marine Regiment

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Alan Shapley
  • Executive Officer: LtCol Samuel D. Puller (KIA 27J); Capt Charles T. Lamb (From 27J)

1st Battalion, 4th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: Maj Bernard W. Green
  • Executive Officer: Maj Robert S. Wade (temp. atchd.)

2nd Battalion, 4th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: Maj John S. Messer
  • Executive Officer: Maj Roy S. Batterton, Jr. (WIA 21J); Capt Lincoln N. Holdzcom (From 21J)

3rd Battalion, 4th Marines

  • Commanding Officer: Maj Hamilton M. Hoyler
  • Executive Officer: Maj Hugh J. Chapman

22nd Marine Regiment

1st Battalion, 22nd Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Walfried H. Fromhold (To 31J); Maj Crawford B. Lawton (From 1A)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Crawford B. Lawton (To 1A); Maj William E. Sperling, III (From 5A)

2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Donn C. Hart (To 27J); Maj John F. Schoettel (WIA 27J)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Robert P. Felker

3rd Battalion, 22nd Marines

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Clair W. Shisler (WIA 27J)
  • Executive Officer: Maj Earl J. Cook

UDT 3 and UDT 4

Reserve:

Guam Island Command

1st Provisional Base Headquarters Battalion

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Victor A. Barraco
  • Headquarters Company: 1stLt Emerson S. Clark, Jr.
  • Military Police Company: Capt Paul J. Swartz

5th Field Depot

  • Commanding Officer: LtCol Walter A. Churchill
  • Executive Officer: LtCol Patrick J. Haltigan, Jr.
  • Operations Officer: Maj John W. Allen

Japan

Japanese commanders on Guam

Lt. Gen. Takeshi Takashina

Lt. Gen. Hideyoshi Obata

Overall command: Lt. Gen. Takeshi Takashina (KIA 28 July)
Thirty-First Army: Lt. Gen. Hideyoshi Obata (seppuku 11 August)
Approx. 19,000 officers and enlisted

Navy Land Units
Navy Air Service

Additional air defense, engineer, signals, etc., support elements

Battle

Sea bee welcome sign left for the U.S. Marine Corps on Guam. – U.S. Navy

Bombardment of Guam on 14 July 1944 before the battle, as seen from the New Mexico

U.S. Marines move inland.

Map showing the progress of the Guam campaign

Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for any attacker.[1]:14 Underwater demolition teams reconnoitered the beaches and removed obstacles from 14–17 July.[1]:43 Despite the obstacles, on 21 July, the American forces landed on both sides of the Orote Peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to secure Apra Harbor.[1]:23 The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:29, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south.[1]:24,44 Japanese artillery sank 20 U.S. LVTs and inflicted heavy casualties on the landing troops, especially of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but by 09:00 marines and tanks were ashore at both beaches.

By nightfall, the U.S. Marines, and soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division had established beachheads about 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep.[5] Japanese counterattacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. The Japanese penetrated the American defenses several times but were driven back with heavy losses of men and equipment.

The U.S. Army’s 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing on 23–24 July.[1]:17 Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where the landing craft dropped them off. The men stationed in the 2 beachheads were pinned down by heavy Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow. Supply was very difficult[6] for the landing troops on Guam in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred yards from the beach and amphibious vehicles were scarce.

The 1st Provisional Brigade blocked off the Orote Peninsula on 25 July, and that same night Japanese Lt. General Takashina counterattacked, coordinated with a similar attack against the 3rd Division to the north.[1]:56 The next day, General Obata reported, “our forces failed to achieve the desired objectives.”[1]:61 Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata took over the command of the Japanese defenders.[1]:65 On 28 July, the 2 beachheads were linked,[1]:17 and by 29 July, the Americans secured the peninsula.[1]:64

The Japanese counterattacks against the American beachheads, as well as the fierce fighting, had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August, they were running out of food and ammunition, and they had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from southern Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central and northern part of the island, “to engage in delaying action in the jungle in northern Guam to hold the island as long as possible”.[1]:65

After ensuring that no significant Japanese forces operated in the southern portion of Guam, Marine Major General Geiger started an offensive north with the 3rd Marine Division on the left flank, and the 77th Infantry Division on the right, liberating Agana on the same day.[1]:70 The Tiyan Airfield was captured on 1 Aug.[1]:72

Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement with the main Japanese line of defense around Mount Barrigada from 2–4 August, the Japanese line collapsed.[1]:73–74 The 1st Provisional Brigade formed up on the left flank of the 3rd Marine Division on 7 August because of the widening front and continued casualties, in an effort to prevent the Japanese from slipping through the American gaps.[1]:75–76 The Japanese had another stronghold at Mount Santa Rosa, which was secured on 8 August.[1]:74,81

On 10 August, organized Japanese resistance ended, and Guam was declared secure, but 7,500 Japanese soldiers were estimated to be at large.[1]:81 The next day, Obata committed ritual suicide at his headquarters on Mount Mataguac after he had sent a farewell message to Japan.[1]:81

Aftermath

A few Japanese soldiers held out in the jungle after the fighting on Guam.[1]:87 On 8 December 1945, three U.S. Marines were ambushed and killed. On 24 January 1972, Japanese Army Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi was discovered by hunters on the island. He had lived alone in a cave for 28 years, near Talofofo Falls.

Guam was turned into a base for Allied operations after the battle. 5 large airfields were built by the Navy Seabees and African American Aviation Engineering Battalions. Army Air Forces B-29 bombers flew from Northwest Field and North Field on Guam to attack targets in the Western Pacific and on mainland Japan.[1]:87–88

Liberation Day continues to be celebrated on Guam every 21 July.

Source: Wikipedia

#Prayer Focus: Pray for Our Prodigals

#Praise the Lord

Please follow my blogs  Guam Christian Blog

Guam views Blog

Bruce’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bruce.dinsman

Bruce’s Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Dinsman/e/B07KDKLGPZ?ref=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/93009114

Bruce’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/pacislappraisal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinsmanbruce/

Younow: https://www.younow.com/BruceDinsman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bdinsman/pins/

Category: #Guam, #Praise, #Prayer, Guam History, History, holiday, World War 2 HistoryTags: , , ,

9 Comments on “Second Battle for #Guam”

  2. Pingback: Second Battle for #Guam — Guam Christian Blog | Ups and Downs of Family History V2.0

  3. Wow never knew about this battle! I’m delighted to read this as a history fan of the Marines in WW2!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to brucesbiblepageCancel reply

Previous posts
Categories
Blog Stats
  • 247,404 hits
Archives
Goodreads
Translate

Discover more from Bruce’s Bible

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading