US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

352 Amphibians Came To Conquer
Pioneers, whose function it was to unload the boats and keep the beach
clear, were far too few in numbers. As a result much of this work was
accomplished by boat crews, and stores which they landed at low water
were frequently damaged or destroyed by the rising tide before the Pioneers
removed them to safety. Meanwhile hundreds of Marines, many of them
truck drivers, tank crews, speciaI weapons and support groups, whose equipment
had not been landed, lounged around the beach in undisciplined idleness,
shooting down coconuts or going swimming. There was no apparent
reason why these men could not have rendered valuable assistance in unloading
the boats.e3
Commander Transport Group XRAY, discussing the delays in unloading
caused by the Japanese air attacks, stated:
Notwithstanding the foregoing interruptions, supplies were piling up on
the beach faster than could be moved and by dark there were about 100
loaded boats at the beach and 50 more lying off waiting. It finally became
necessary to discontinue unloading for the remainder of the night.8A
The skipper of the Heywood wrote:
At 0200, 8 August, unloading stopped because of lack of boats, and at
0400 all ships were ordered to stop sending in loaded boats due to great con-
gestion on beach. After daylight, as boats became available, they were loaded
and kept at ship until about 0930, when orders were received to commence
unloading.Gt
The Captain of the cargo ship Fotwtaibaut stated:
Discharging cargo on twenty-four hour basis—but very slow procedure due
to shortage of transportation. . . .
. . . unable to have boats unloaded at beach due to working parties there
being engaged in repelling enemy snipers.”
During the night of 7–8 August, the Hivrzter Liggett reported:
Despite the quiet night, the Marines had failed to clear the beach and very
little cargo was worked prior to the air alarm at 1043 [on 8 August}.
And when some fancy cheese broke out of a melted carton, the thought
was expressed:
Weapons, ammunition prime movers, and canned rations are more worth-
while than fancy groceries during the first days or even weeks of such an
operation.’~
a Hunter Liggett War Diary, 7 Aug. 1942.
= Commander Transport Divisions, SOPAC (CTG 62.1) Action Report, 23 Sep. 1942.
= Heywood Action Report, Ser 18, 12 Aug. 1942.
“ Fornralbaut War Diary, 8 and 9 Aug. 1942.
‘7Hunter Ligget~ War Diary, 8 Aug. 1942.