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Cyril J. O'Brien
Liberation: Marines in the Recapture of Guam
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664606686
Table of Contents
Liberation : Marines in the Recapture of Guam
Liberation: Marines in the Recapture of Guam
General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.
‘Daring Tactics’ Gave Capt Wilson Medal of Honor
The Colt .45-Caliber M1911A1 Pistol
Securing the Force Beachhead Line
PFC Witek’s Medal of Honor Hailed ‘Inspiring Acts’
Liberation:
Marines in the
Recapture of Guam
Marines in
World War II
Commemorative Series
By Cyril J. O’Brien
Marines of Battery I, 14th Defense Battalion, man their twin-barrelled, Mark IV, Oerlikon-designed 20mm guns on top of Chonito Ridge, overlooking Adelup Point. In the initial stages of the Guam operation, these antiaircraft guns fired in support of the 3d Marines. Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 93063
A threatening 75mm Japanese gun pokes its barrel out of the Gaan Point pillbox where a companion piece and a 37mm gun wreaked havoc on the assault waves of the 22d Marines on W-Day, destroying approximately 24 troop-carrying amphibian tractors, before the enemy position was taken out. Department of Defense Photo (USN) 247618
Liberation:
Marines in the Recapture of Guam
by Cyril J. O’Brien
With the instantaneous opening of a two-hour, ever-increasing bombardment by six battleships, nine cruisers, a host of destroyers and rocket ships, laying their wrath on the wrinkled black hills, rice paddies, cliffs, and caves that faced the attacking fleet on the west side of the island, Liberation Day for Guam began at 0530, 21 July 1944.
Fourteen-inch guns belching fire and thunder set spectacular blossoms of flame sprouting on the fields and hillsides inland. It was all very plain to see in the glow of star shells which illuminated the shore, the ships, and the troops who lined the rails of the transports and LSTs (Landing Ships, Tank) which brought the U.S. Marines and soldiers there.
The barrages, which at daylight would be enlarged by the strafing and bombing of carrier fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes, were the grand climax of 13 days (since 8 July) of unceasing prelanding softening-up. Indeed, carrier aircraft of Task Force 58 had been blasting Guam airfields since 11 June, while the first bombardment of the B-24s and B-25s of the Fifth, Seventh, and Thirteenth Air Forces fell as early as 6 May.
Up at 0230 to a by-now traditional Marine prelanding breakfast of steak and eggs, the assault troops, laden with fighting gear, sheathed bayonets protruding from their packs, hurried and waited, while the loudspeakers shouted “Now hear this. … Now hear this.” Unit commanders on board the LSTs visited each of their men, checking gear, straightening packs, rendering an encouraging pat on a shoulder, and squaring away the queues going below to the well decks before boarding the LVTs (Landing Vehicles, Tracked).
Troops on the APAs (attack transports) went over the rail and down cargo nets to which they—weighed down with 40-pound packs as well as weapons—held on for dear life, and into LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel). These troops would transfer from the landing craft to LVTs at the reef’s edge, if all went as planned.
Aircraft went roaring in over mast tops and naval guns produced a continuous booming background noise.