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Battle of Bougainville: 37th Infantry Division’s Battle for Hill 700World War II | 31 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post
At 8 a.m. the next morning, Companies E and F attacked again in a coordinated double envelopment, with Company G in reserve and Company H in general support. The two attacking companies edged slowly around the hill to the right and left, remaining in defilade as much as possible in order to avoid the Japanese machine guns that dominated the ridge in both directions. Then they dispersed along the steep slope. Using every means at their disposal, from smoke and fragmentation grenades to flamethrowers, rocket launchers and dynamite, the Americans began to make their way to the top of Hill 700 against undiminished Japanese resistance. Subscribe Today
On the Company F side of the hill, a flamethrower team–Pfc Robert L.E. Cope and Pfc Herbert Born of 2nd Battalion Headquarters Company–crawled up to destroy an enemy pillbox from which machine-gun fire held up the advance of the company. The two soldiers had joined the regiment after the New Georgia campaign and were now seeing their first action. They worked forward, dragging the bulky equipment over terrain dangerously exposed to Japanese automatic-weapons fire until they were 10 yards from the pillbox. At that point, they suddenly rose up in full view of the Japanese and doused the emplacement with liquid fire, destroying it and killing its occupants. The pair then came back through the same hazardous area, recharged their flamethrower and returned to destroy another pillbox. They repeated the action a third and fourth time. Altogether, they crossed the exposed sector five times and knocked out four enemy positions.
The rocket launcher, or bazooka, had not yet been fired in action by the 148th. Staff Sergeants Jim L. Spencer and Lattie L. Graves told Lieutenant Oliver Draine that they would volunteer to take a crack at it. Preceding the company until they reached a shallow trench 20 yards from the nearest Japanese pillbox, they selected their target, and with much anticipation they launched their first rocket. Although this round completely missed the target, the men were so pleased with their partial success that they immediately reloaded the weapon, aimed more carefully and launched a second rocket. This time they scored a direct hit and demolished the pillbox. Now greatly encouraged, they concentrated their rocket fire on other Japanese positions, with Spencer holding the bazooka and Graves reloading it, yelling, ‘Make way for the artillery!’
Spencer and Graves dodged from one covered position to another, blasting away, either killing the occupants of the pillboxes or frightening them into flight. During the intervals between loading and firing the launcher, Graves blasted away with his M-1 rifle, and on one occasion killed three fleeing Japanese. Spencer and Graves fired the bazooka periodically for three hours.
Private First Class Jennings W. Crouch and Pfc William R. Andrick, armed with BARs, advanced with their platoon in the initial movement across the fire-swept ridge. Then, under withering Japanese fire, they ran toward enemy-occupied pillboxes on the rest of the hill. From their final position 15 yards from the pillboxes, they began their assault, firing their rifles from the hip as they advanced. Crouch had an eye shot out, among other wounds, and one .25-caliber bullet went through Andrick’s left wrist. Upon reaching the pillbox, they poured a steady stream of fire into the entrance until all the occupants were killed.
Over in the Company E sector, Pfc John E. Bussard was out for vengeance. Thirty-six years old, married and the father of three children, Bussard was draft exempt, but he had enlisted immediately after learning that a younger brother had been killed in action on New Guinea. Eventually he arrived overseas with but one idea–to avenge his brother. By March 10, he had killed one Japanese soldier, but having the ledger read one-for-one far from satisfied him.
In the unsuccessful afternoon attack on March 11, Bussard volunteered to climb the high slope to observe the enemy installations, although four others of his company had been killed and eight wounded in earlier attempts. Snaking his way inch by inch, he reached a large tree from which he could watch the Japanese. The enemy, well aware of his presence, kept him pinned down to prevent his return, and he was unable to report back to his commanding officer with his observations until an hour after sundown. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
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31 Comments to “Battle of Bougainville: 37th Infantry Division’s Battle for Hill 700”
Very good! I was there.
By Hans G Sporbeck on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:32 am
if anyone in the 145th knew George sweigert or jack shaffer from cleveland I would like to talk with them. I am George sweigert’s son. I remember my dad telling me about this battle. My email is georg.Webb@gmail.com. Thanks
By George sweigert on Aug 21, 2008 at 7:40 am
My mother lived in the Philippines and remembers fellows from this division. She is trying to get in touch with whomever was there like Lt Lloyd Wazscelesky (?)
By Veronica Steffen on Aug 23, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Just found out my grandfather was a marine involved in this fight. His name was Floyd Morgan, and he died before I was born. I’m trying to research his military involvement. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
joenshelly02@yahoo.com
Joseph
By Joseph Lanier on Aug 30, 2008 at 9:24 pm
My Dad,Pfc Robert Felix Jones 9th Marines,3rd Division was on Bougainville and Guam from Jan1943 to Sept1944,any information would be appreciated.
By William M. Jones on Sep 20, 2008 at 6:38 pm
My Dad was in the 145th and was in this battle.I have photos of members of his company. Dad was a company scout and his name was Daniel Cole Sullivan. Dad told me he was in Hand to Hand Combat and when he walked off that hill he was covered in blood.The 145th was one of the first unit in Manila when they re-took the city. Any information about the 145th ,that any one can share would be deeply
appreciated.Sean O Sullivan
By Sean O Sullivan on Sep 29, 2008 at 1:42 am
George, Sean, My cousin was part of H. Co. 145th IN the entire war. I just interviewed him in August and have his photo collection from Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippines. He won two Bronze stars during the war. His name is Bill Skelley. Does anyone know him? Anyone elses relatives in H. Co.?
v/r
Bill
By Bill Florig on Oct 1, 2008 at 12:53 am
I am looking for an old friend , Clayton Ham, who fought in the battle of Empress Augusta Bay, which is where i come from. Would very much like to contact him again. .
By Cobbie on Oct 7, 2008 at 1:50 am
My father, Robert J. Nichols, H Co. 145th was a 81mm mortar squad leader on Hill 700. The name Skelley I remember him talking about. He went back to the Solomons, Fiji, New Zealand about 20 years ago. He was presented a Bronze Star for Hill 700 when he came home, at Crosley Field in a war bond show by General Patch. Dad is now 88, in a nursing home, with vascular dementia. Some memories are vivid, other times not very much. Anyone wishing to contact me personally, feel free to do so.
Gary Nichols
Batavia, Ohio
By Gary Nichols on Oct 7, 2008 at 3:38 pm
My cousin Lewis H Vandergrift, was with the 1st Plt,5Bn
37thCav/Reconnaissance Troop. He was awarded a Purple Heart
at Bougainville, 3/11/1945 and was wounded again at Luzon,
6/22/1945. He died of this wound in Manila, 7/3/1945.
He is buried in his home town of Martins Creek, Pa.
By Kathleen M Smith on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:25 pm
During that night attack, a device cooked up by Staff Sgt. Otis Hawkins proved invaluable. As soon as the first Japanese started jimmying the barbed
wire on the perimeter, Hawkins ordered mortar flares fired and wires pulled, setting off gallon buckets of oil ignited by phosphorus grenades. With
help from this artificial lighting, Hawkins directed 600 rounds of 60mm mortar fire, and the riflemen picked off many Japanese who had counted on
darkness and confusion to help them achieve their goal.
Otis “Earl” Hawkins is my uncle. He went on to fight with the 6th army in Luzon where he teamed up with my father, Merrill Lester Moutoux, although
neither knew each other at the time, my dad would marry my uncle Hawkins’ sister, Pauline. Uncle Earl returned to Ohio to build a small chain of
grocery stores and strip malls in the late 40’s and early 50’s and could have had the first major grocery franchise, but didn’t want his name on a
store that he couldn’t manage. He is now 93 years old and still living in Wooster, OH.
By Dr. Steven M. Moutoux on Oct 31, 2008 at 5:37 am
My dad , Glen W. Mitchell fought in this battle. he was a corpl. in
3rd division, He is 86 now in bad health. Crys when he recalls
this battle. Has just now begun to talk about it. would like to here
from others!
By Daniel l. Mitchell on Nov 3, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I am trying to trace my father’s path through the South Pacific. If anyone has any information on Hubert Joseph Poskey from Texas let me know.
Also, I would like to know how a group from Texas was assigned to the Ohio National Guard.
My dad won a Bronze Star in the South Pacific but I am not sure where. My email is djposkey@yahoo.com.
Regards,
David Poskey
By David Poskey on Dec 3, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Looking at my Dad’s discharge paper. Antitank Co. 145th INF. Arrived Pacific Theater 6/12/42, left 4/18/45. He told me about being on Fiji, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougianville, and Philippines. He was a machine gunner (.30 cal water cooled) first half of the war, scout the second half). He had a bronze star for Northern Solomons +1 for Luzon Campaign, +1 for Philippine Liberation. He never talked about a specific battle. Being in the 145th, I guess he was on hill 700.
I will start an email list with the email addresses here. I am Rich Comeau, sharplet@gmail.com .
By Richard Comeau on Dec 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm
An area of help is to contact the 37th Veterans Association in Columbus, Ohio. Talk to Mr. Cyril Sedlacko. There are meetings every few months as well in Cincinnati at a restaurant for lunch.
My Dad passed away on November 28. I have a number of photos from Fiji through Bougainville that I can e-mail. I just found photos of Joe Trimmaco, John Paluso, Steve Josky, and John Push in 1988. The names may mean something to others, but he had not seen them since 1944, went to visit I think in Youngstown.
Gary Nichols
nichols.surveying@fuse.net
By Gary Nichols on Dec 15, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Am planning to do some volunteer work in the south Pacific very soon, and would be grateful if anyone might recall a battalion surgeon in the 37th, Maj. (then Capt.) Darrell D. Althouse, my father. Although he served with the 37th, he was a physician in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY State. With the 37th, I know he spent a good deal of time in Bougainville, and was with the men as they re-took Manila. I’m trying to figure out on which islands in the Mariana chain Dad might have served, and the time-frame involved. If I’m given the opportunity, I’ll physically hike some of the areas Dad did in ‘43, ‘44 and ‘45.
Any information, or just a good chat from any 37th Division afficiado, would be gratefully accepted.
kevin.thomas.althouse@gmail.com
By kevin thomas althouse on Dec 23, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Does anyone who served with 37th Infantry Division during battle for hill 700 remember my father Willis Dale Vandewater. He served as an Army Medic.
If anyone remembers him I would be interested in hearing via email or phone.
Thank for your help and service to our country.
Eric Vandewater
319-665-2166
By Eric Vandewater on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:04 pm
My father served with the 75th Seabees Construction Batallion. His name is Eldo Hilgeman. anyone that may have remembered him I would be very proud to talk to you.
Randall Hilgeman
727-393-7231
By Randall Hilgeman on Jan 20, 2009 at 2:40 pm
On March 13, 2009 we will be escorting the remains of Robert M Scudder PFC, Marine Corp who has a purple heart and appears to have fought on Bougainville. Our group consists of Missing In America Project, Patriot Guard Riders and Old Guard Riders. We have been requested by the family to provide escort to the cemetery and we will also provide a flag line as well as a protective flag line around the family. I am researching Bougainville to better understand the campaign in which Robert Scudder was involved.
It is our mission to give honor and respect to all who have served our nation.
Respectfully,
Mark Boehle
MIAP/OGR/PGR
By Mark Boehle on Mar 3, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I{ am trying to find out how to contact the author of an earlier post dated Oct. 7 2008 1:50 am and his name only says Cobbie he is looking for my father Clayton Ham any help would be greatful. I can be reached at cameronham@rocketmail.com thank you Cameron Ham
By Cameron Ham on Mar 29, 2009 at 6:17 am
My father, Noah F. Brown(Fred or Brownie) was also in Bougainville and won a Bronze Star. If anyone has any info , Please contact me.
By Jerold Brown on May 5, 2009 at 10:45 am
My Uncle Walter (Babe) Collins from Philadelphia PA served with the 37th throughout the war, he told of being in a pillbox on Bounganville and surrounded by Japanese who would fire into the boxes , He stayed with the unit through the Phillipines and received 2 purple harts and a silver star. He passesd several years ago and we never found out why he received the silver star. We do know onew of the purple hearts were for wounds in the Phillipines, He was a Sargent and at times a scout. Sny info would be appreciated
By JimMcMonagle on Jun 19, 2009 at 6:35 pm
If anyone knew my dad who was in the 37th division, 2nd batallion, 145th infantry I’d apprciate hearing from you. His name was benjamn Pat Brann and I think he was some sort of seargent technician and maybe a cook . thanks you
Bill Brann
bbrann58@comcast.net
By Bill Brann on Jul 13, 2009 at 9:05 am
PFC John (Jack) Bussard served and was killed in action @ Bougainville. If anyone has pictures or information on the battle at Hill 700 please respond.
Thank you
By Robin Silverstein on Jul 14, 2009 at 12:26 am
Does anyone recall serving with Rulon (RA) Harris, my uncle, her served with the third marines in Bougainville, and also at Guam and Iwo Jima.
By larry harris on Jul 22, 2009 at 9:41 am
Amazing article… My Dad, Leo (K-mert) Kalinowski was awarded the Bronze Star during this battle. He is now 88 and showing his age. There is a long medal list in the “Field Artillery Journal” from that time period. I found his entry in the Dec 1944 edition.
PDFs are available online… http://www.army.mil/famag
By Leo Kalinowski on Oct 9, 2009 at 10:19 pm
My father served with the 37th Division/Co. G , Pvt. John McCurley. He was a rifleman and carried a BAR. He served with the 37th until he was wounded during the Battle for Manila. While serving, he was a Silver and Bronze star recipient. He never talked about the war until just before his death in 1985. He gave me a book titled “The 37th Infantry Division In WW II’ . He showed me the inside of the cover where there is a large photo, taking up both cover and 1st page. Its a photo of 4 infantry rifleman, during combat on Bouganville. He pointed to the 3rd man from the left and said “Thats me.” The photo is of 4 rifleman cautiously advancing thru the jungle, and my Dad is carrying his trusty BAR. I have many photos of the 37th from Bouganville thru the battle for Manila, and Co. G documents marked ‘SECRET’ at the top about a fight for a hill refered to as ‘THE TOP OF THE WORLD’, where he earned the Silver Star. I was never more proud of him than that day he finally bopened up to me about his combat experiences. He jioned the Army at 16 , lieing about his age, And was only 17 when he earned his Silver Star. he served proudly thru WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, for 30 years, I miss him dearly.
By John McCurley Jr. on Nov 10, 2009 at 1:54 am
SId Goodkin, a lieutenant mentioned in the article, is in good health and sharp as a tack. He might have info that some of you are looking for. According to a web page set up for a band he plays in, he can be reached by e-mail at sgoodkin@bright.net .
By Bob on Nov 11, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I am looking for friends of Joe Whelan.I believe he was in the 145th or 37th.I know he was in the Army and was at Bougainville and Guadalcanal.He just past away on October 25th and the memorial service was today at Ft.Rosecrans San Diego.I am his son Paul.
By paul on Nov 12, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I have real photos from Bougainville/WWII showing beach attack from the air and more. Would like to know more about them, who took them, etc.
By M. Nelson on Nov 17, 2009 at 11:20 pm
My grandfather Edgar E Zombro fought with the 37th DIV, Kco 148th Inf. I have a Japanese flag he captured and a field interogation report from the battle of Luzon.
Does anyone know him or have any information about the 148th or Kco?
By Chad MacDonald on Nov 18, 2009 at 1:58 am