1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 13–15 MAY1945 ]
against Chocolate Drop and assists 305th. 382d Inf,
96th Div, continues attack toward Dick hill mass
with negligible results but takes hill 600 yards S of
Zebra. 2d Bn, 382d Inf, gains weak hold on N spur
of Conical Hill, whereupon div is ordered to intensify
frontal attacks on the hill.
13 May
EASTERN EUROPE—Red Army completes offensive
operations, overcoming last German resistance in
Czechoslovakia.
BURMA—In ALFSEA area, W African 82d Div
reaches Gwa without opposition, concluding operations
in Arakan sector.
CHINA—Gen Wedemeyer has by this time decided
that he cannot receive the Tenth Air Force in
China for several months and so informs Gen
Stratemeyer. Gen Chennault’s Fourteenth Air Force
is to move to Chungking to command air forces
based in China.
LUZON—In U.S. Sixth Army area, I Corps
finishes clearing Balete Pass, gaining access to
Cagayan Valley. In XI Corps area, 43d Div gets
elements to within sight of Ipo Dam.
S PHILIPPINES—In U.S. Eighth Army’s X Corps
area, RCT 108, continuing down Sayre Highway on
Mindanao, runs into strong opposition from Mangima
Canyon and is delayed in the area for several
days. 155th Inf, 31st Div, passes through 124th and
drives N along Sayre Highway in effort to establish
contact with RCT 108; on Talomo Trail, elements
of 167th Inf reach Pulangi R. 21st Inf, 24th Div,
makes slow progress northward along Talomo
Trail; 3d Bn, 34th Inf, moves forward from Guma
area to assist 21st Inf in clearing Talomo R Valley;
2d Bn, 19th Inf, progresses slowly against Hill 550.
On Samal, Co K, 19th Inf, unsuccessfully attacks
enemy position.
OKINAWA—In U.S. Tenth Army’s III Amphib
Corps area, 6th Mar Div, although supported by
heavy volume of fire, continues to gain ground
slowly and with heavy casualties. 3d Bn, 29th
Marines, is committed in region E of 22d Marines.
1st Marines, 1st Mar Div, tries in vain to take Hill
55—part of S wall of Wana Draw. 7th Marines
completes capture of Dakeshi Ridge but suffers
heavy casualties while attacking through town of
Dakeshi toward Wana Ridge, N wall of Wana
Draw. In XXIV Corps area, 306th Inf, 77th Div,
renews costly attacks for Chocolate Drop Hill; tries
in vain to take Flattop. 382d Inf, 96th Div, attacks
toward 2 hills of Dick hill mass, taking one of
them; pressing frontal assault in E coastal sector,
383d Inf succeeds in penetrating eastern end of
Shuri line by driving to NE crest of Conical Hill and
holding there against determined counter-
[ 537 ]
attacks; some elements of 383d Inf fighting NW of
Conical Hill reach slopes of Charlie Hill but are
unable to take crest.
14 May
CHINA—Movement of MARS (U.S. 5332d Brig
(Prov)) from Burma to China is completed. The
move started on 14 March.
LUZON—In U.S. Sixth Army’s I Corps area,
27th Inf of 25th Div attacks northward from Balete
Ridge. In XI Corps area, forward elements of 43d
Div reach Ipo Dam. General assault on the dam is
ordered for 17th.
S PHILIPPINES—In U.S. Eighth Army’s X Corps
area, on Mindanao, RCT 108 temporarily suspends
drive down Sayre Highway to await supplies. 155th
Inf, 31st Div, continues N along the highway; on
Talomo Trail, 167th Inf troops are slowed by scattered
delaying opposition and difficult terrain as
they push toward barrio of Sanipon. From Bancal,
3d Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div, attacks northward
astride road leading to Mintal in conjunction with
21st Inf clearing Talomo R Valley but is soon halted;
flanking attack on Hill 550 by elements of 19th
Inf makes little headway; rest of 3d Bn, 19th Inf,
is ordered to Samal, where enemy guns are still a
threat to Davao from the N.
OKINAWA—In U.S. Tenth Army’s III Amphib
Corps area, 22d Marines of 6th Mar Div charges
Sugar Loaf and gains feeble hold. 1st Marines, 1st
Mar Div, after unsuccessful attempt to take Wana
Ridge and make contact with 7th Marines, is relieved
by 5th Marines. In XXIV Corps area, 306th
Inf of 77th Div, greatly depleted in strength, continues
vain efforts to take Chocolate Drop and Flattop.
382d Inf, 96th Div, improves positions on Dick
hill mass; 383d extends control over Charlie and
reaches crest of King Hill to S.
15 May
INDIA—Base Section No. 1 (Karachi) is inactivated.
As a result, the other sections within SOS are
given new designations.
BURMA—In Br Fourteenth Army area, Ind 26th
Div, now under army command as it moves N along
Rangoon Prome road, links up with Ind 20th Div,
33 Corps, moving S along the road.
LUZON—In U.S. Sixth Army area, XI Corps
prepares to renew attacks on Woodpecker Ridge and
Ipo Dam.
S PHILIPPINES—In U.S. Eighth Army’s X Corps
area on Mindanao, RCT 108, with air and arty
support, renews attacks in Mangima Canyon sector
of Sayre Highway against strong opposition. Elements
of 124th Inf, 31st Div, guarding installations