Imperial Valley press., 1943-08-05
Americans Take
Munda Air Field, +,
Drive Out laps
Continued from page u

naming japanese resistance.
The Americans encountered little
opposition during the last three
days of the advance. Munda final
ly fell with dramatic simplicity
almost as an afterthought to the
heartbreaking grind through muddy
jungle trails and swampS.
JAPS DEMORALIZED
The Japanese evidently were de-
moralized by the continued artillery
and aerial assaults. They left huge
stores of rice, damaged field pieces,
clothing and blankets.
Americans easily took the domi-
mating Bibilo Hill, 400 yards north
east of the airport. where 1t had
been anticipated the Japs would
attempt to block our entrance into
Munda.
Instead. enemy remnants re-
treated further westward behind
Kokengolo, where they proved un-
able to halt our coastal advance
into the airport.
Last night we were 20 yards from
our goal. With mortarS and one
or two n millimeter dual purpose
field pieces of the type fondly
called Pistol Petes," American ar
tillery was instructed to shell the
japanese.
A few minutes later smoke bombs
were dropped on enemy positions
Batteries then began to lay in salvo
after salvo of explosives. The bar
rage lasted all morning.
Pistol Pete was silent this after
noon.
It rained furiously here this
morning, but the sun was beating
down on Munda's coral runway
when I arrived. Near the eastern
edge of the field was a gaping
crater, 40 feet wide, evidently the
result of a heavy bomb explosion.
Surprisingly, the airport itself
was in reasonably good shape con-
sidering the continuous shellackine
it had taken since last December
The runway was pockmarked with
bomb and shell hits, and the revet-
ments were in disrepair. Neverthe-
| less. it shouldn't be long before the
airport is being used by American
! planes.
DEEP PILLBOXES
I have examined pillboxes II
which the Japs chose to die rather
than surrender. Some were eigh
feet deep, reinforced with coral ant
divided into compartments by thicl
coconut logs. They dotted the hill
sides and hilltops, since Throughout
the campaign the Japs held domi
mating positions.
Only a direct hit could destro,
such defenses. Blanket artiller,
fire and bombings often destroyed
the personnel, but the Japs eithe
replaced casualties or left one ma
chine gunner in each pillbox.
1t was in the latter stages OF tn
campaign that we found TIN
answer: Flame throwers, which
poured in streams of fire and fume
through the apertures of the pill
boxes from a distance of so feet
Flame throwers were credited will
destroying 33 pillboxes in the pas
seven days.
The campaign eventually assumed
a fluid aspect with small American
forces advancing far ahead ant
pocketing the Jap strong point
while themselves under submachin
gun fire from the rear or flank.
Sometimes they would have L
fight their way back through Jap
who had suddenly popped up fron
out of nowhere.
Thus while several gains Wer
cancelled by nightfall. they usual
assured a permanent advance TO
the next day.
1t was a test of individual enter
prise and courage and America
soldiers under fire for the frs
time came through.
A typical case was that of tw
brothers in the same platoon VIII
participated in the drive throug
Lambeth. The older brother wa
killed in front of the younger
who broke down momentarily, the
Steeled himself and assumed com
mand of his patrol. The next da
the younger brother also wa
killed.
A happier story is told of Pvt
Jack Sanderofsky Of Philadelphia
whose company was far ahead an
sought cover in the face of ia
machine guns. Sanderofsky wa
disturbed by firing behind him, in
vestigated and found startled JaT