APPENDIX A
Casualties, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry,37th Division
New Georgia Campaign, 18 July-5 August 1943
James E. T. Hopkins, M.D.
In the following pages, the variousengagements of the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, are grouped into tacticalsituations, and casualties are described in the order in which they occurred incombat.
Tactical Situation No. 1, 18 July 1943
The 2d Battalion of the 148th Infantry landedat Zanana Beach on 18 July and, with a few men from the 1st Battalion, moved 1mile up the Munda trail and dug in for the night. During the day, a patrol fromCompany G had located a Japanese machinegun emplacement covering the trail about300 yards from the Barike River. In spite of this knowledge, the regimental S-3(operations and training) advanced along the trail with several vehicles, andthe following casualty occurred:
Case 1.-Severe penetrating wounds ofthe entire body. This man was a truck driver in the forward vehicle advancing onthe enemy-held Munda trail. He was struck by .25 caliber light machinegun fireat a 60-yard range. Classified as KIA, died instantly. This type of patrol wasunnecessary; the patrol leaders had been warned about the machinegun.
Tactical Situation No. 2, Night of 18 July 1943
The 1st Battalion set up a perimeter for thenight along the Munda trail, a half mile from the beach, deep in the jungle. Twocasualties were sustained that night.
Case 2.-Severe penetrating wound of thelower third of the left leg. This man stood up from his foxhole in the earlymorning hours of 19 July and was shot by another soldier with a .30 caliberrifle at a range of approximately 10 to 20 yards. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type. This casualty occurred during the first night that the men were incombat; they had not had previous contact with the enemy.
Case 3.-Severe perforating wound ofthe head. This man sat up in his foxhole while talking in his sleep during theearly morning hours of 19 July and was shot by another soldier with an M1 rifleat a range of approximately 20 to 30 yards. Classified as KIA. This casualtyoccurred under circumstances similar to those of Case 2.
Tactical Situation No. 3, 19-20 July 1943
At 1100 hours on 19 July, while the 2d Battalion,148th Infantry, was held in reserve, the 1st Battalion advanced west along theMunda trail to the first branch of the Barike River, with Company A leading thecolumn. The advance was frequently slowed by fire from enemy snipers.
At 1200 hours, when the medical aidmen wereresting at the rear of the column, word reached them that a litter squad wasrequired. The circumstances were found to be as follows:
The jungle along this section had been thinnedby artillery fire during a previous engagement. The trail on the far side of asmall jeep bridge which spanned the Barike River was
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moderately flat, and the jungle was thinned out for an area ofabout an acre. On the right, on the U.S. Army side of the bridge, a steep hillfell to the water in front and to the road on the side. On the left of theroute, the jungle was flat, but very dense. Several dugouts were located on eachside of the stream. As Company A crossed the bridge, two heavy enemy machinegunsstarted firing, and, during the course of action for the next 24 hours, 5 menwere killed and 11 wounded. The Japanese sustained at least 25 casualties, halfdefinitely killed by rifle and automatic weapons fire and the remainder bymortar and artillery fire.
Case 4.-Multiple, severe penetratingwounds of the upper and lower extremities and of the scrotum. This man, a memberof a patrol moving in single file, was struck by the first burst from a Japaneseheavy machinegun. He was wounded at 1100 hours on 19 July but managed to pullhimself into a dugout where he remained for 30 hours during which time hemanaged to kill three Japanese. He was evacuated on 20 July and was classifiedas WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 5.-Multiple, severe penetratingand perforating wounds of the lower extremities. This man was wounded whilewalking single file on an open trail, and 6 hours after his initial wound hereceived additional fatal grenade and bayonet wounds. Classified as KIA.
Case 6.-Severeperforating wound of the thorax. This man was a member of a patrol walkingsingle file in an open trail when he was struck by fire from a Japanese heavymachinegun at a range of approximately 100 yards. Classified as KIA.
Case 7.-Severe perforating wound ofthe thorax. This man was killed under circumstances similar to those of Case 6.Classified as KIA.
Case 8.-Moderately severe lacerationof the head. This man was on patrol when he was struck by Japanese machinegunfire at a range of approximately 100 yards. He received a dressing for his woundand was evacuated 20 hours later. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 9.-Moderately severe penetratingwound of the right arm. This man was struck by heavy machinegun fire at a rangeof approximately 100 yards. He received a dressing for his wound and wasevacuated 20 hours later. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case l0.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left arm. This man was wounded by Japanese machinegunfire. After receiving an initial dressing for the wound, he was evacuated some20 hours later. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 11.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left leg. This man was wounded by Japanese machinegunfire. After an initial dressing, he was evacuated some 20 hours later.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 12.-Multiple penetrating woundsof the face. This man, while on patrol, was injured by Japanese heavy machinegunfire. He was evacuated immediately. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 13.-Penetrating wounds of thefoot with fractures of the metatarsal bones. This man was wounded while onpatrol. He was evacuated immediately. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 14.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe left leg. This man was wounded while on patrol. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
Case l5.-Moderately severelaceration of the left arm. This man was a member of a patrol. He managed toescape the initial burst from a Japanese heavy machinegun but was woundedseveral minutes later while attempting to roll out of the lane of fire. He waswounded at a range of approximately 100 yards. Classified as WIA, immediate dutytype.
Case 16.-Multiple penetrating andperforating wounds of the thorax and the abdomen. This medical aidman was killedwhile attempting to reach a casualty. He was struck by fire from several heavymachineguns at a range of approximately 100 yards. This man was advancing in astanding crouch position and should have been crawling. Classified as KIA.
Case 17.-Multiple, severe penetratingand perforating wounds of both lower extremities. This aidman was advancing in astanding crouch position in an attempt to reach a casualty. His lowerextremities were splinted, and he was evacuated within 1 hour. Am-
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putation of the right lower extremity wasperformed several days later. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 18.-Moderately severepenetrating wounds of the right arm. This man, a member of a patrol, was struckby the initial burst of Japanese heavy machinegun fire. Classified as WIA, firstechelon type.
Case 19.-Severeperforating wound of the head. This man, while on defensive action, was crawlinginto a dugout with two other soldiers when a bullet from a Japanese heavymachinegun passed through the slits between the logs of the dugout and produceda fatal wound. Classified as KIA.
On 20 July, the following two casualtiesoccurred:
Case 20.-Severe perforating wound ofthe lower part of the right leg. This man, while walking about the perimetershortly after leaving his foxhole, was struck by a .25 caliber bullet. Hereceived 1 unit of plasma and was evacuated 2 hours later. Classified as WIA,U.S. evacuation type.
Case 21.-Severe perforating wounds ofthe right leg. This man, while on offensive action walking to one side of thetrail, was struck by a .25 caliber bullet. Classified as WIA, second echelontype.
During tactical situation No. 3, the Americanforces consisted of approximately two platoons of infantry plus heavy weapons,and the Japanese forces consisted of not more than one platoon with heavy andlight machineguns. The 1st Battalion forces sustained a total of 21 casualties,7 KIA and 14 WIA. The Japanese forces sustained about 25 to 50 casualties, 18 ofwhom were estimated as being due to small arms fire and the remainder as beingdue to mortar and heavy artillery fire.
Tactical Situation No. 4, 21 July-1 August 1943
On 21 July 1943, the 1st Battalion advancedagainst little enemy resistance to a parachute drop at which the 169th Infantryhad been relieved the previous day by the 2d Battalion. The 2d Battalion hadreached the area by bypassing the Japanese resistance. A raiding party of 100 to200 Japanese had attacked a litter party of the 118th Medical Battalion,Collecting Company B, and approximately 40 men were buried in this area; 10were casualties and 8 were litter bearers.
Most of the activities during the next 3 daysconsisted of patrol duty. The 1st Battalion had four casualties from U.S.artillery fire and six from enemy automatic weapons fire. On the morning of 25July, three casualties resulted from friendly artillery fire.
In the late afternoon of 25 July, the 1stBattalion dug in on the right side of O'Brien Hill. A small patrol wasdispatched on what was called a "suicide mission" in an attempt toobtain prisoners. Although the enemy was said to be poorly armed, the patrol metheavy resistance from automatic weapons fire and three were wounded. Theobjective of the patrol was not accomplished.
On 26 July, two casualties were sustained fromgrenade fragments.
During the late afternoon of 27 July, the 1stand 2d Battalions dug in 300 yards west and to the right of O'Brien Hill, atwhat was to be a supply dump. Very little enemy activity took place during theday. On the same day, however, a group of engineers had attempted to build ajeep trail to the area of the supply dump, and, after they had been ambushed byJapanese snipers, two men were killed and several others wounded.
At 0700 hours on 28 July, the regimentalcommander requested that the 1st Battalion send out two litter squads with aprotecting rifle squad to pick up the bodies of the two engineers justmentioned. Although no enemy resistance had been anticipated, heavy small armsfire was encountered; five men were killed and one was wounded. The bodies ofthe two engineers were not recovered.
Although at least a company of Japanese troopswere known to be on the left flank, the 1st and 2d Battalions were ordered toadvance approximately 700 yards on a 270? azimuth.
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Company A, with an unprotected mortar squad, was left to guardthe ration dump. When this company sent out a platoon in an attempt to bringback a casualty and clean up enemy resistance, the platoon was obliged toretreat back to the ration dump without accomplishing either mission.
In the meantime, the 1st and 2d Battalions successfullyadvanced to their destination overlooking Munda airfield, sustaining only onecasualty. When a bulldozer trail from the ration dump followed the advancingbattalions, 2 men were killed in action during the late afternoon of 28 July and11 were wounded in action.
On the morning of 29 July, it was learned that the ration dumpwas surrounded by the enemy and that the trail was not open. All remainingwounded were therefore evacuated by jeeps over the enemy-held trails.
The two battalions advanced toward the ration dump during theday of 29 July. The 1st Battalion, which was in the rear position, sustainedonly one casualty. On the morning of 30 July, the 2d Battalion walked singlefile around the enemy resistance and retreated from the area. The 1st Battaliondid not disperse the enemy or open the trail to the ration dump until 1200 hourson 1 August 1943. Between 30 July and 1 August, it had 92 casualties, 17 of whomwere KIA or DOW. No evacuation was available for the wounded from 1600 hours on28 July until 1200 hours on 1 August.
An interesting sidelight of this particular engagement isthat, between 30 July and 1 August, the 160th Infantry was unable to make fulluse of its supporting artillery during its attack on the three hills which layacross their line of advance because the location of the 1st Battalion was souncertain the free use of the artillery would probably have caused manycasualties among U.S. troops.
During the tactical situation described between 21 July and 1August 1943, U.S. forces engaged varied in strength, at any single time, fromone platoon to a maximum of 1,000 infantry troops. The opposing Japanesestrength was estimated at 200 to 500 troops. The 1st and 2d Battalions, 148thInfantry, sustained 219 casualties, of whom 53 were KIA.
A discussion of the 1st Battalion casualties (112) and adescription of the circumstances under which they occurred during the 21 July-1August action follow.
On 21 July 1943, the 1st Battalion took over part of the 169thInfantry area and the following casualties occurred:
Case 22.-Minor laceration of the right side of thethorax. This man was on defensive action walking over irregular, thick jungleterrain when he was struck by a .25 caliber rifle bullet at a range ofapproximately 100 or 200 yards. Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 23.-Minor penetrating wound of the left side ofthe thorax. This man, while in a foxhole during an American artillery barrage,was struck by a shell fragment at a range of approximately 100 yards. Classifiedas WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 24.-Moderately severe laceration of the lowerpart of the right thigh directly over the patella. This man, in a positionsimilar to that of Case 23, was wounded by American artillery fire. Classifiedas WIA, first echelon type.
Case 25.-Moderately severe laceration of the leftarm. This man, in a position similar to that of Case 23, was struck by Americanartillery fire. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 26.-Moderately severe penetrating wounds of thehead. This man, in a position similar to that of Case 23, was struck by Americanartillery fire. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 27.-No record available.
The following casualties occurred when a small partyprotecting a bulldozer ran into an ambush:
Case 28.-Severe penetrating wound of the thorax. Thisman, while walking on patrol, was struck by a burst of .25 caliber machinegunfire at an unknown range. Classified as KIA.
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Case 29.-Multiple, severe penetrating wounds of theleft upper and lower extremities. This man was on patrol when he was struck by aburst of a .25 caliber machinegun fired at an unknown range. Classified as WIA,second echelon type.
Case 30.-Penetrating wounds of theleft upper extremity. This man was on patrol when he was struck by bullets froma .25 caliber sniper's rifle at an unknown range. Classifled as WIA, firstechelon type.
Case 31.-Multiple, moderately severepenetrating wounds of the face and head. This man, while on patrol, was in akneeling position firing his rifle when it was struck by a .25 caliber riflebullet. Numerous small metal fragments penetrated his face and forehead.Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
On 25 July, the following casualties resultedfrom a U.S. artillery barrage:
Case 32.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe head. This man was in a foxhole when an American artillery shell burstdirectly overhead. A fragment of the shell passed through his helmet. Classifiedas KIA, died 10 minutes after injury.
Case 33.-Moderately severe laceratingwound of the left shoulder region. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 32. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 34.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the right foot. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 32. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Cases 35 and 36.-Both thesecasualties sustained moderately severe penetrating wounds of the thorax and thelegs. These men were wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case 32.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
On 26 July, a small combat patrol was sent totake prisoners from an isolated enemy dugout. If the activity of the patrol hadbeen properly planned, all of the following casualties might have been avoided:
Case 37.-Multiplesmall arms wounds of the thorax and abdomen. This man, while on patrol, was justclimbing over a log in thick jungle when he was struck by a burst of .25 caliberlight machinegun fire at a range of approximately 25 to 50 yards. Classified asKIA.
Case 38.-Severepenetrating wound of the head. This man, while on patrol, was standing behindthe tree attempting to point out the enemy when he was struck by a burst of .25caliber machinegun fire. Classified as KIA.
Case 39.-Severepenetrating wounds of the head. This man was in a prone position attemptingto throw a grenade when he was struck by fragments from a Japanese grenade andby machinegun fire. The range was approximately 35 yards. Classified as WIA,U.S. evacuation type.
Case 40.-Multiple,severe penetrating wounds of the lower part of the abdomen and the lowerextremities. This man was a member of an advancing patrol when he was struck byfragments from a Japanese grenade. After sustaining his injuries, the soldierwalked 200 yards to the regimental aid station where he received primarytreatment. He was evacuated immediately but died 28 hours later without havingreceived any surgical treatment. He received 1 unit of plasma. This man wasclassified as DOW, 28 hours' survival.
Case 41.-Moderatelysevere lacerating wound of the right leg. This man was on patrol when he wasstruck by fragments of a Japanese hand grenade. Classified as WIA, first echelontype.
Case 42.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the left thigh. This man was on patrol when he wasstruck by fragments of a Japanese hand grenade. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
On 28 July, the following casualties occurred:
Case 43.-Mildpenetrating wounds of the left leg. This man was in a shallow foxhole when hewas struck by fragments from an American artillery shell which burst at a 75- to100-yard range. Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
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Case 44.-Mild lacerating wound of theleft arm. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case 43.
Case 45.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe right side of the face. This man was wounded under circumstances similar tothose of Case 43. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Cases 46 through 49.-All thesesoldiers sustained multiple penetrating and perforating wounds due to .25caliber light machinegun fire. Three of the men were killed instantly and thefourth was bayoneted to death several hours after receiving his primary wound.The machinegun range was from 50 to 100 yards. All of these men had been sentout to recover the bodies of two dead engineers. This entire action had beenpoorly planned and ill-advised.
Case 50.-Moderately severe lacerationof the nose. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Cases46 through 49. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 51.-Severe perforating wound ofthe head. This man was killed under circumstances similar to those of Cases 46through 49. Classified as KIA.
Case 52.-Severe mutilating wound ofthe right arm and moderately severe penetrating wounds of the thorax. This manwas on offensive action, walking single file down an open trail, when a U.S.hand grenade exploded accidentally in front of him. Classified as DOW, lived 7hours after injury. This casualty was due to careless handling of the grenadeand, probably, to poor medical treatment.
Case 53.-Severe mutilation of thehead and face. This man was on offensive action crawling toward an enemymachinegun emplacement when he was struck by a burst of .25 caliber machinegunfire at a 20-yard range. Classified as KIA. The platoon to which this soldierbelonged had become disorganized, and this man did not receive any support inhis attack on the enemy emplacement.
Cases 54, 55, and 56.-Allof these men received multiple, minor penetrating wounds of the head and theextremities. These men were in a prone position in a foxhole when three enemyhand grenades were thrown into the foxhole. Two of the grenades were thrown outbut the third exploded and wounded the men. All of these men were members of amortar section that was not receiving adequate protection from a rifle squad,and their foxhole was poorly located. Classified as WIA.
Case 57.-No record of this casualty,very minor wound.
Case 58.-Moderately severepenetrating wound to the right forearm. This man was in a position similar tothat of Case 54 and was wounded by enemy grenade fragments. Classified as WIA,second echelon type.
Case 59.-Severe perforating wound ofthe head. This man, in an unprotected foxhole with three other members of amortar crew, was struck by a .25 caliber rifle bullet at a 25-to 50-yard range.Classified as KIA.
Case 60.-Severe perforating wound ofthe head. This man was killed under circumstances similar to those of Case 59.
Case 61.-Severe perforating woundof the right leg. This man was walking about the perimeter organizing thedefense when he was struck by a burst of .25 caliber light machine gun fire. Hewas wounded at 1700 hours on 28 July but was not evacuated until 0700 hours on29 July. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 62.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left leg. This man was on defensive action when he wasstruck by a bullet from a .25 caliber Japanese rifle. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
Case 63.-Moderately severe lacerationof the head. This man was struck by a Japanese rifle bullet. The bulletperforated his helmet. Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 64.-Penetrating wound of thehead. This man was in a foxhole when he was struck by a Japanese rifle bullet.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
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Case 65.-Multiple penetrating andperforating wounds of the right upper extremity and a penetrating wound of thehead. This man was in a foxhole when he was struck by a burst of enemy lightmachinegun fire. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type, and was returned toduty in 8 months.
On 29 July the 1st Battalion sustained thefollowing casualty:
Case 66.-Severeperforating wound of the right hand. This man was in a foxhole when heaccidentally discharged his own rifle. He was wounded at 1800 hours on 29 Julyand was evacuated at 1200 hours on 1 August. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuationtype. This casualty could have been avoided.
On 30 July heavy casualties were sustained:
Case 67.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left leg. This man, while on an offensive action, wasadvancing in a crouch position when he was struck by a Japanese rifle bullet ata range of approximately 50 to 100 yards. He was wounded at 1400 hours on 30July and was evacuated at 1200 hours on 1 August. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
Case 68.-Severeperforating wound of the thorax. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 67. Following his injury, the soldier walked 100 yardsto the aid station. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 69.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left shoulder. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 67. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 70.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe left hand. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case67. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 71.-Severepenetrating wound of the left forearm and the left leg. This man was onoffensive action in a crawling position when he was struck by fragments from aJapanese hand grenade at a 1-yard range. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuationtype.
Case 72.-Severe penetratingwound of the left thigh. This man was on offensive action in a crawling positionwhen he was struck by enemy light machinegun fire at a 50- to 75-yard range.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 73.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the head and face. This man was in a foxhole ondefensive action during a Japanese counterattack when he was struck by fire froman enemy light machinegun. One bullet perforated his helmet. After beingwounded, he was able to walk back to the aid station. Classified as WIA, firstechelon type.
Case 74.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the left leg. This man was wounded by fire from anenemy light machinegun. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 75.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe head. This man was crawling toward an enemy machinegun emplacement andcontinued to advance alone even after orders had been given for a withdrawal. Hewas struck by fire from the machinegun at a 25-yard range. Classified as KIA.Deafness probably was responsible for the death of this casualty.
Case 76.-Severeperforating wound of the head. This man was standing in a foxhole telephoningwhen he was struck by a rifle bullet at a 75- to 100-yard range. Classified asKIA. This casualty could have been avoided.
Case 77.-Multiple, severe perforatingand penetrating wounds of the thorax and the upper and lower extremities. Thisman had just left his foxhole located on the defensive perimeter in attempt tocontact the division when he was struck by a burst of enemy light machinegunfire. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 78.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left foot. This man was struck by an enemy rifle bulletat a range of approximately 50 yards. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Cases 79 and 80.-Minor wounds, norecords available.
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Case 81.-Mild penetrating wound of the left thigh.This man was in a crawling position when he was struck by an enemy rifle bulletat a range of approximately 50 yards. Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 82.-Severe penetrating wound of the left thigh.This man was in a foxhole when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet at a75-yard range. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 83.-Minor, severe penetrating wound of the rightleg. This man was on offensive action advancing against the enemy when he wasstruck by an enemy rifle bullet at a range of approximately 75 yards. Classifiedas WIA, second echelon type.
Case 84.-Multiple penetrating wounds of the face.This man was on offensive action standing in moderately thick jungle when he wasstruck by fragments from an enemy knee mortar shell. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
Case 85.-Moderately severe penetrating wounds of theright leg. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case 84.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 86.-Severe perforating wound of the abdomen.This man was on offensive action advancing in a crouched position throughmoderately thick jungle terrain when he was struck by a machinegun bullet at arange of approximately 75 yards. Classified as DOW, died 30 minutes after beinghit.
Case 87.-Multiple, moderately severe penetratingwounds of the right lower extremity. This man was on offensive action crawlingthrough thick jungle terrain when he was struck by fragments from an enemy handgrenade thrown from a tree. The grenade detonated a few feet away from thecasualty. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 88.-Multiple,moderately severe penetrating wounds of the left upper and lower extremities.This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case 87. Classifiedas WIA, first echelon type.
Case 89.-Severe penetrating wound of the rightshoulder region. This man was advancing in a standing position in moderatelythick jungle terrain when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet at a range ofapproximately 75 yards. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 90.-Perforating wound of theright foot. This man was on offensive action advancingthrough moderately thick jungle when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet at a75-yard range. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 91.-Moderately severelacerating wound of the left leg. This man was struck by an enemy rifle bulletat a 75-yard range. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 92.-Multiple, severeperforating wounds of the abdomen. This man was on offensiveaction advancing in a crouched position through moderately thick jungle when hewas struck by a burst from an enemy light machinegun at a 50- to 100-yard range.Classified as DOW, lived 1 hour after injury.
Case 93.-Multiple, severeperforating wounds of the thorax. This man was wounded undercircumstances similar to those of Case 92. Classified as KIA.
Case 94.-Severe perforatingwound of the thorax. This man, standing in a foxhole telephoning, was warned totake cover when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet at a range ofapproximately 100 to 200 yards. Classified as KIA. This casualty could have beenavoided.
Case 95.-Severe perforating wound of the thorax. Thisman was struck by fragments from an enemy mortar shell at an unknown range.Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 96.-Severe perforating woundof the abdomen and multiple, mild penetrating wounds of the right thigh. Thisman was walking in the perimeter to deliver a message when he was struck byfragments of the same mortar shell which struck Case 95. Classified as DOW, died9 days after injury.
Case 97.-Severe mutilation of the head. This man hadbeen assisting in the digging of a hole for a machinegun emplacement when heleft the protection of the hole and moved
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a few feet away. He was struck by a burst from an enemy lightmachinegun at a range of approximately 50 to 100 yards. Classified as KIA. Thisman should not have left the protection of his foxhole.
Case 98.-Perforating wound of theneck. This man was standing in a foxhole in proximity to the aid station when hewas struck by an enemy rifle bullet at a 75-yard range. Classified as WIA,second echelon type. This area had been under fire from enemy snipers, and thisman should not have been standing in an exposed position.
Case 99.-Multiple penetrating woundsof the face and of the upper extremities. This man was firing his rifle when itwas struck by an enemy rifle bullet. Numerous small metal fragments penetratedhis face and arms. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 100.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the posterior portion of the right thigh. This man wasentering a foxhole when he accidentally sat on the tip of a bayonet. Classifiedas WIA, first echelon type.
On 31 July the following casualties occurred:
Case 101.-Minor wound, no recordavailable.
Case 102.-Severe perforating wound ofthe abdomen. This man was in a foxhole on defensive action when he got up toobtain ammunition. He was struck by enemy light machinegun fire at a 50- to100-yard range. Classified as DOW, died 2 days after injury.
Case 103.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe abdomen and moderately severe penetrating wound of the left shoulder. Thisman had already prepared one foxhole when he was told to dig a new one. It wasobvious he was to dig this new hole in a lane of enemy fire, and he attempted toavoid this new order. Shortly after, he was struck in the shoulder by an enemylight machinegun bullet and, as he was being moved to the aidman's hole, hereceived the abdominal wound. This man received no treatment other than morphineand died after 2 hours in the aidman's foxhole. Classified as DOW, with a2-hour survival. This casualty probably could have been avoided.
Case 104.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe left side of the thorax. This man was digging a foxhole when he was struckby an enemy light machinegun bullet at the same time as Case 103. He was treatedby the aidman but died 2 hours later. Classified as DOW, with a 2-hour survivaltime.
Case 105.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe abdomen. This man was returning from patrol and was approaching the aidman'sfoxhole when he was struck by an enemy light machinegun bullet. He receivedtreatment from the aidman but died in 1 hour. Classified as DOW, with a1-hour survival.
Case 106.-Moderately severepenetrating wounds of the right leg. This man was on offensive action advancingtoward the Japanese line in a crouched position when he was struck by an enemylight machinegun bullet at a 15-yard range. After this man received his wound,he became confused and crawled toward the enemy line. He was pulled into aJapanese foxhole, and when his body was recovered it was found that he had beenstrangled to death by a rope. Classified as KIA.
Case 107.-Multiple, superficialpenetrating wounds of the face. This man was advancing toward the enemy lineswhen he was struck by numerous fragments from a Japanese hand grenade.Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 108.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the right arm. This man was advancing toward the enemy linewhen he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet. Classified as WIA, first echelontype.
Case 109.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the neck. This man was in a foxhole furnishing machinegunfire for the advancing troops when he was struck by a Japanese rifle bullet.Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Cases 110 and 111.-Minor wounds, norecords available.
Case 112.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe left shoulder. This man was struck by fragments of an enemy hand grenade atan unknown range. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
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Case 113.-Severe penetrating wound of the right hand.This man was advancing toward the enemy line when he accidentally fell anddischarged his M1 rifle. Classified as WIA, second echelon type. This casualtycould have been avoided.
Case 114.-Severe perforating wound ofthe right thigh and laceration of the left buttock. This man was on defensiveaction and left his foxhole to procure rations when he was struck by an enemymachinegun bullet at a 100- to 150-yard range. Classified as WIA, second echelontype.
Case 115.-Minor laceration of thehead. This man was in his foxhole on defensive action when a Japanese riflebullet passed through his helmet and lacerated his scalp. Classified as WIA,second echelon type.
On 1 August 1943, all Japanese resistancedescribed in tactical situation No. 3 (p. 769) ended at 1200 hours. During thelater stages of this engagement, Company A, 1st Battalion, was very successfuland was able to knock out a light machinegun and several heavy U.S. machinegunswhich the Japanese had taken from the 169th Infantry. The Japanese, who weredressed in U.S. uniforms and helmets, also used other U.S. equipment.
Fifteen enemy dead were found in the area, andconsiderable numbers of Japanese were known to have escaped into the jungle. The1st Battalion sustained 18 casualties, as follows:
Case 116.-Moderately severeperforating wound of the thorax. This man was on offensive action and wasadvancing with his machinegun crew when a Japanese light machinegun openedfire. While attempting to take cover in a shellhole, the soldier was struck byan enemy light machinegun bullet as he was assuming the prone position.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 117.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left forearm. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 116. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 118.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe head. This man was advancing against the enemy lines and was wounded undercircumstances similar to those of Case 116. Classified as WIA, second echelontype.
Case 119.-Severe mutilation of thehead. This man was on offensive action and was taking cover behind a tree whenhe was struck by a burst from an enemy light machinegun. Classified as KIA.
Case 120.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the neck. This man was struck by an enemy riflebullet at a 50- to 100-yard range. Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 121.-Minorlaceration of the thorax. This man was on offensive action when an enemymachinegun bullet ricocheted off his helmet. After taking cover, he was woundedby a fragment from an enemy hand grenade. Classified as WIA, immediate dutytype.
Case 122.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe head. This man was struck by an enemy light machinegun bullet. Classified asKIA, death occurred in 10 minutes.
Case 123.-Mild laceration of thethorax. This man was struck by a fragment from an enemy hand grenade at anunknown range. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 124.-Severe perforating wound ofthe right foot. This man, while in a prone position, was attempting to kick awayan enemy hand grenade which had fallen near him. Classified as WIA, U.S.evacuation type.
Cases 125 and 126.-Minor wounds, norecords available.
Case 127.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left buttock. This man was near the frontline of theperimeter when he was struck by fragments from an enemy hand grenade at anunknown range. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 128.-Moderately severelaceration of the face. This man, a member of a mortar crew, was struck by anenemy rifle bullet at a range of 150 yards. Classified as WIA, immediate dutytype.
Case 129.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the right leg. This man was on defensive action andaccidentally stabbed himself with his own bayonet. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type. This casualty could have been avoided.
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Case 130.-Minor wounds, no recordavailable.
Case 131.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left shoulder region. This man was in a shallow foxholeon defensive action 2 yards from the battalion aid station. He was struck by anenemy light machinegun bullet. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Cases 132 and 133.-Minor wound, norecords available.
Tactical Situation No. 5, 2-5 August 1943
After the 1st Battalion broke through theJapanese trail block leading to the ration dump area (p. 772), they spent thenight in regimental reserve. The next morning, they started their march back totheir old position on the right flank of the advancing troops. The position forthe night was taken up in an area approximately 500 yards to the north of BibloHill, astride the Bairoko trail.
During the early morning of 3 August, threemen were wounded by a Japanese hand grenade thrown into their foxhole. Six othercasualties were sustained during the day's advance of approximately 1,000yards on the 270? azimuth.
During the night of 3-4 August, a Japaneseplatoon casually and unintentionally marched into the section of the perimeterheld by Company A, 1st Battalion. The ensuing fighting continued most of thenight. In the morning, 30 enemy dead were found lying in the area, as well as awounded Japanese soldier.
There were no U.S. casualties. The men hadthrown their hand grenades and fired their weapons while lying on their backs intheir foxholes. They thus exploded the myth that weapons must not be used in theperimeter at night.
Before the 1st Battalion moved on toward thebeach 1,000 yards north of Munda airfield, eight casualties resulted from aJapanese automatic weapon that had been brought up to the perimeter by six ofthe enemy. On 4 August, the battalion sustained comparatively heavy casualtieswith 26 WIA, 2 DOW, and 8 KIA. Four men were wounded on 4 August, at 0800 hours,when a heavy U.S. artillery barrage was thrown up.
At 1300 hours, the battalion began its driveto the coast through thick jungle and swamp. All casualties were the result ofautomatic weapons and rifle fire, with two exceptions: One soldier was woundedby a boobytrap and another was killed by friendly mortar fire.
The beach was reached shortly before dark andthe perimeter set up. Three Japanese 90 mm. mortar shells fell in the areaduring the night, killing two men and wounding ten others.
This brought to a conclusion the fighting doneby the 1st Battalion on New Georgia Island.
The battalion sustained 48 casualties duringthe 2-5 August action, as follows:
Cases 134 and 135.-Minor wounds, norecords available.
Case 136.-Multiple, mild penetratingwounds of the abdomen and lower extremities. This man was sleeping in a foxholewhen he was wounded by fragments from a Japanese hand grenade which explodedover the hole. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Cases 137 and 138.-These mensustained multiple, mild penetrating wounds of the thorax, the abdomen, and thelower extremities. These men were in the same foxhole with Case 136 and werewounded by the fragments of a Japanese hand grenade. Classified as WIA.
Case 139.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe left eye by a fragment of a Japanese hand grenade. Classified as WIA, U.S.evacuation type. The eye was removed at a later date.
Case 140.-Severe mutilation of theright hand. This man was on offensive action advancing in a crouched positionwhen he was struck by a Japanese rifle bullet at a range of approximately 25 to50 yards. Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 141.-Multiple, mild penetratingwounds of the upper extremities. This man, while standing behind a tree, wasstruck by fragments of a Japanese hand grenade at an unknown range. Classifiedas WIA, immediate duty type.
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Case 142.-Penetrating wound of thethorax. This man was advancing toward the enemy line when he was struck by afragment from a Japanese hand grenade. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 143.-Moderate, severepenetrating wound of the left arm. This man was wounded under circumstancessimilar to those of Case 142. Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 144.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left arm. This man was in a crawling position underprotective fire when he was struck by a U.S. machinegun bullet. Classified asWIA, second echelon type.
Case 145.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left leg. This man, while crawling toward the enemyline, was struck by an enemy machinegun bullet. Classified as WIA, first echelontype.
Case 146.-Multiple, moderately severepenetrating wounds of the left shoulder. This man was in a prone position in ashallow foxhole when he was struck by fragments from an American artillery shellwhich burst at a 50-yard range. Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Cases 147, 148, 149, 150, 151.-Allof these casualties sustained penetrating wounds of the upper and lowerextremities. These wounds were received under circumstances similar to those ofCase 146. The shellburst from the American artillery shell was estimated at 25to 50 yards. All of the men were classified as WIA.
The casualties described as Cases 152 through158 were all due to the carelessness of Company C, which allowed an enemy lightmachinegun crew to penetrate to the edge of its perimeter.
Case 152.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe abdomen. This man was in defensive action lying in a prone position in theaid station when an enemy light machinegun bullet struck his ammunition belt.Classified as WIA, second echelon type.
Case 153.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the thorax. This man was sitting in a foxhole when he wasstruck by an enemy light machinegun bullet at a 50-yard range.
Case 154.-Minor laceration of thehead. This man was in a prone position on the ground when he was struck by anenemy light machinegun bullet at a 50-yard range. Classified as WIA, secondechelon type.
Case 155.-Severe perforating wound ofthe thorax. This man was kneeling in a foxhole dressing another soldier'swound when he was struck by an enemy light machinegun bullet at a 50-yard range.Classified as WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 156.-Severe mutilation of theabdomen and the right upper extremity. This man was in a standing position whenhe was struck by a burst of fire from an enemy light machinegun at a 50-yardrange. He was evacuated 300 yards, and 2 hours later, at the collection company,he was given 2 units of plasma. The soldier died within 18 hours at the 17thField Hospital without surgical treatment.. Classified as DOW, with an 18-hoursurvival.
Case 157.-Multiple, severepenetrating and perforating wounds of the abdomen and the lower extremities.This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case 156.Classified as DOW with a 3-hour survival.
Case 158.-Multiple, severepenetrating and perforating wounds of the thorax. This man was wounded undercircumstances similar to those of Case 156. Classified as KIA.
Case 159.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the right hand. This man was on offensive actionadvancing against the enemy when an enemy light machinegun bullet passed throughhis canteen and penetrated his hand. The estimated range was 50 yards.Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 160.-Minor laceration of theknee. This soldier was on offensive action when he stopped to tamper with aboobytrap which had been recognized and marked. He was wounded by fragments fromthe hand grenade which made up the boobytrap. Classified as WIA, second echelontype. This casualty could have been avoided.
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Case 161.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the right thigh. This man was in a standing position onoffensive action when he was struck by an enemy light machinegun bullet.Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 162.-Minorlaceration of the right leg. This man was struck by a U.S. rifle bullet.Classified as WIA, immediate duty type.
Case 163.-Severepenetrating wound of the head. This man was on offensive action when he stoppedto pick up a cigarette butt. He was struck by an enemy light machinegun bullet.Classified as KIA. This casualty could have been avoided.
Case 164.-Severe penetrating wound ofthe thorax. This man was advancing against enemy lines when two American mortarshells fell short of the skirmish line. The first shell was a dud and did notexplode, but the second shell exploded within several yards from this casualty.Classified as KIA. This casualty was due to carelessness on the part of theadjacent companies which did not maintain contact with each other.
Case 165.-Moderatelysevere penetrating wound of the left foot. This man was on offensive actionadvancing in a crouched position when he was struck by a Japanese lightmachinegun bullet at a 20- to 50-yard range. Classified as WIA, first echelontype.
Case 166.-Severeperforating wound of the thorax. This man was advancing in a standingposition against the Japanese pillbox when he was struck by a light machinegunbullet. Classified as KIA.
Case 167.-Severe perforating wound ofthe thorax. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case166. Classified as KIA.
Case 168.-Severe perforating wound ofthe thorax. This man was wounded under circumstances similar to those of Case166. Classified as KIA, died within 10 minutes.
Case 169.-Minor wounds, no recordsavailable.
Case 170.-Multiple, severeperforating wounds of the left thigh. This man was digging a shallow foxhole inthe company area when an enemy mortar shell burst at a 3-yard range. Classifiedas WIA, U.S. evacuation type.
Case 171.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the right buttock. This man was digging a foxhole with Case170 and was wounded by a fragment from an enemy mortar shell. Classified as WIA,first echelon type.
Case 172.-Moderately severepenetrating wound of the left shoulder area. This man was in a standing positiondigging a foxhole when he was wounded by a fragment from an enemy mortar shell.Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Case 173.-Multiple,severe penetrating wounds of the head, neck, and shoulder. Thisman was sleeping in a very shallow foxhole when an enemy mortar shell struck 3feet from his head. Classified as KIA.
Case 174.-Multiplepenetrating wounds of the abdomen and the left lower extremity. This man was inthe same foxhole with Case 173 and was wounded by fragments from a Japanesemortar shell. Since it was very dark and rainy, this man was not located for 10minutes, and his abdominal wounds received initial treatment before it was foundthat he was bleeding from a lacerated femoral artery. He died from hemorrhage inabout 15 minutes. Classified as KIA.
Case 175.-Multiplepenetrating wound of the thorax and the upper and lower extremities. This manwas sleeping in a foxhole adjacent to Cases 173 and 174 and was wounded byfragments from the same enemy mortar shell, which burst at a 1-yard range.Classified as WIA, first echelon type.
Cases 176 through 181.-All these menwere in shallow foxholes at a 2- to 10-yard distance from the enemy mortarshellburst which caused casualties 173, 174, and 175. All classified as WIA,immediate duty type.
