Admiralty Islands--LOS NEGROS

LANDING ON LOS NEGROS

After a three day aerial attack on Momote and Lorengau airfields and other shore installations, American troops landed on Los Negros Island, in the Admiralties, early in the morning of the 29th of February, 1944. Units of the First Cavalry Division went ashore at Hyane Harbor at 0815 after a preliminary bombardment of enemy defenses by naval and air units covering the operation. No opposition was encountered on the beaches. Light resistance was offered at Momote airfield, which was quickly seized. Our patrols moved north and southwest from the airstrip, establishing contact with Japanese troops, who counter-attacked during the night but were repulsed with heavy losses.

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FROM A COAST GUARD-MANNED ASSAULT TRANSPORT, COAST GUARDSMEN UNLOAD TRUCKS AND OTHER SUPPLIES BY LANDING BARGES TO THE BEACHES OF LOS NEGROS ISLAND IN THE ADMIRALTY GROUP

COAST GUARDSMEN UNLOAD TRUCKS AND OTHER SUPPLIES BY LANDING BARGES

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CONTROL OF BISMARCK SEA

Los Negros Island lies off the southeastern tip of Manus Island, largest of the Admiralty group, and is separated from Manus by a very narrow strip of water. At the eastern end of Manus, at Lorengau, is another airfield and a large anchorage and seaplane base. This field, with the one at Momote, were probably used as staging centers by the Japanese in getting aerial reinforcements to Kavieng and Rabaul. They had been attacked intermittently by Allied bombers since the latter part of January and were reported unserviceable, Momote airfield, however, was in good condition when captured. These air facilities gave the Allies almost complete control of the Bismarck Sea and virtually completed the blockade of Kavieng, Rabaul and the northeastern coast of New Guinea, whose supply routes were already seriously impaired. Air reconnaissance during the week preceding the landing had shown no signs of occupation but on the evening of D-2 day, information was received from Army scouts, who had gone ashore on Los Negros Island, that the area southwest of Momote airstrip was heavily occupied by the enemy. Subsequent events proved the scouts correct. The estimated enemy garrison was between 4,000 and 5,000.

THE ATTACK

The attack group consisted of 3 high speed transports (APD's) and 3 destroyers. Units of the 1st Cavalry Division made landings in LCP(R)'s, which proceeded into Hyane Harbor through its entrance and landed on beaches on the south side and inside the harbor itself, in an area very close to the Momote Airstrip. Considerable cross fire was encountered by most of the boats as they passed between the headlands at the entrance to the harbor. The entire landing force of 1,026 men had to be landed in 12 LCP(R)'s. If evacuation had become necessary, it is doubtful if many of these boats would have survived the enemy opposition forcing evacuation, and most of the landing force would have been wiped out. Close support was rendered by destroyers, which moved in to within less than a mile of the shore as the landings progressed. Combined air and surface bombardment enabled the first three waves to round the southern point of the harbor and reach the beach. The fire support problem was difficult as Hyane is a landlocked harbor and the enemy gun positions were located on the northern and southern arms of the outer shore and on the center beach north of the airdrome. It was frequently necessary to hold fire to avoid endangering our own boats as they entered the harbor and proceeded around the southern arm to the landing beach. The enemy apparently dug in during shelling or bombing, then resumed fire as soon as our fire was checked. Heavy rain commenced at H+1 hour, 45 minutes and continued throughout the remainder of the landing operations. This was a definite tactical factor for if high visibility had obtained, enemy fire on our boats would have been more effective. The mission was accomplished at 1729 and the attack group left the area to return to Sudest, two destroyers remaining to furnish fire support to the ground troops.

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COAST GUARD LANDING CRAFT MET BY GROUP OF POLYNESIAN NATIVES AT EMIRAU ISLAND, SEIZED BY MARINES WITHOUT A FIGHT

COAST GUARD LANDING CRAFT MET BY GROUP OF POLYNESIAN NATIVES AT EMIRAU ISLAND

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SECOND ECHELON

A second echelon of 6 LCT's, 6 LST's, 3 destroyers and 3 minesweepers arrived at 0900 on 2 March, 1944. The LST's, besides carrying material, had embarked troops which included 1,300 combat and 1,000 constructional corps. On arrival off Hyane Harbor the LST's were met by a barge from shore. The LCM's which they each were towing, slipped tow and all proceeded into the harbor without incident. During the day six Jap Zero fighters attacked two Flying Portresses that were circling the destroyers, but the attacks were frustrated. An attempt to sweep Seeadler Harbor was abandoned after minesweepers were opposed by fire from 3" guns as they were closing the harbor entrance. The LST's began leaving the harbor Late in the afternoon and were all clear and formed up by 1815. The Coast Guard manned LST-22 was not completely unloaded owing to lack of time. On leaving the harbor the LST's experienced machine gun opposition. In the succeeding days cruisers and destroyers bombarded Seeadler Harbor entrance, together with the 5th Air Force. On D+8 day two minesweepers entered the harbor without Opposition and swept a channel to the eastern end off Salami Plantation and on D+9 day Liberty ships started unloading at anchor in the eastern part of the Harbor.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS--MANUS ISLAND

LANDING ON MANUS ISLAND

Opposition, which had been light on the first day of the amphibious landings on Los Negros Island on 29 February, quickly intensified. It is thought that a considerable number of enemy reinforcements were landed on Manus Island shortly before our initial attack. Fighting continued throughout March, 1944. On 15 March units of the 1st Cavalry Division landed on Manus Island and quickly seized the Lorengau airfield. The landing was made against little opposition at Lugos Mission, on the northeast coast of Manus, west of Lorengau. The area had previously been shelled by naval vessels and by artillery and had been bombed by 18 Mitchells in a low level attack. Our troops moved east along the coast and by afternoon were within half a mile of the airfield, encountering some enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. The airfield was captured during the night. Stubborn resistance was met the 16th, but assisted by shelling from destroyers ana artillery our forces crossed to the east bank of the Lorengau River and on the 18th captured the town of Lorengau. A second force moved inland from the beachhead to flank the airfield and town and cut off Japanese troops who might attempt to flee into the hills south of the Lorengau area. Overcoming considerable opposition they moved in on the town from the southwest as the other force advanced from the west. The remnants of the enemy force retreated into the hills. By the 29th of March all major Japanese resistance had been overcome, with probably not more than 900 effective enemy troops remaining on the islands. At least 2,594 Japanese were known to have been killed in the fighting up to that time.

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ANOTHER JEEP IS DELIVERED FROM THE COAST GUARD-MANNED ASSAULT TRANSPORT Callaway VIA A LANDING BARGE TO AMERICAN FORCES AT EMIRAU

ANOTHER JEEP IS DELIVERED FROM THE COAST GUARD-MANNED ASSAULT TRANSPORT Callaway

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COAST GUARD MANNED LST AT MANUS ISLAND

The Coast Guard manned LST-67 was named flagship for the assault on Manus Island. At 0700 on D-day, a misty tropical rain had cut visibility to almost nothing. Though the LST was still 12 miles from its landing position, belching smoke from navy destroyers could be seen as the pre-landing barrage got under way. Guns of oar task force were answered by Japanese shore installations and the officers and crew of the LST found themselves between the shells of the opposing forces. For more than an hour the projectiles from the U.S. warships ripped into the island. Then the LCM's, LCT's, rocket and flak boats came up to join the destroyers. At 0315 the LST began to out forth her LVT's and they started for the beach along with the LCM's. As the barrage ended, the silence was broken by the drone of motors and from the south B-25 bombers were coming in, heading straight for the beach. Flying at tree top level, they unloosed their loads, and men on the LST's could see the sticks of bombs hurtling from the bomb-bay doors. Palm trees, gun emplacements and Japs were blown high in the air. After making their runs the bombers returned to strafe the beaches. Shortly after 1000 the LST grounded on the beach. The jungle was a thick fringe coming almost to the water, making fire possible from all sides. The troops wasted little time on the beach, dashing forward to seek cover. Disembarking was systematic. Bulldozers were first off, dragging heavy equipment behind them. An hour later the LST rode high and light in the water, completely unloaded. Nine Coast Guard officers and enlisted men were on a supply ship which also participated in the invasion of Manus Island. While the beachhead was being established they were setting up markers to guide the larger ships to the beach and performing other vital beachmaster duties.

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