Men Remembered Well PTO (id:#57833)

Heat of Battle (Buckeyes! ID: Buck05)   [next]   [previous]

NE of Bilbilo Hill, New Georgia Island 1943-08-01 (5 others)

Overview:

While the 145th and 161st Regiments assaulted Horseshoe Hill, the 37th Division's remaining regiment, the 148th, which guarded the open right flank of the U.S. positions, made a rapid advance westward. In fact, the regiment, under Col. Stuart Baxter, lost contact with the neighboring 161st and outran its supply lines. This was unfortunate, as the Japanese 13th Infantry Regiment had infiltrated a roving band of some 200-300 soldiers behind its open right flank. The first sign of trouble came when the 148th's ration dump was attacked. The situation quickly became more serious, but Baxter dithered rather than obey General Beightler's repeated orders to retreat. Water and ammo ran low, while the wounded remained unevacuated. Finally, on August 1st, Baxter ordered an assault eastward towards their own rear by every man who could carry a gun.

Defender: Japanese (13th Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)