Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-26
By Ii. p. W. LANIER.

~ was now II pm. From the
Wild screams and insane laugh
ter that came from the Nips in
front OF us, we knew they were get
ting drunk on sake and that we
were In for the Tight Of our lives
right here on Guam. But also we
knew that when once 1t started,
they'd keep coming through the
same lane till they got through or
we slaughtered them.
That night was one Of those ex-
periences that completely defy the
ability Of the average person to-
paint an adequate word picture. It
was . horrible tumble Of RAIN
drenched hours packed with q con-
fusion Of sensations one will never
experience anywhere except when
lighting these diabolical animals.
Most inexpensive In Lives.
We well know that these night
banzai attacks are the best and
least costly way of Graduating the
largest number of these fiends. This
way they must come out into the
open after you where you have the
protection of your own foxhole and
organized f1re-and II they did not
do so, the following day you would
have to advance into their positions
and charge their Notifications
Therefore, 1t really Is the more tn
expensive method. Yet, the expe-
rience of going through these night
orgies is so terrific that one would
almost choose the other way. II
assure you it's quite beyond descrip-
ton.
About 11:30 the Nips ceased their
jabbering and had spell of quiet.
I guess every one was getting a last
big swig of sake and q last needle
in the arm, because about 10 min
utes later we knew they were about
ready.
They'd throw a grenade and
scream, "Corpsman!"
One little closer than the rest
cried out:
'Marinee, prepare to die"
All this seems to have had dual
cause and purpose. The hopped-up
condition Of the Japs gives them q
bravery and a confidence they don't
really possess, and they fully expect
to demoralize us. Secondly, they
are so close that they hope to
draw fire from some nervous
gunner on an automatic weapon,
and thus learn where our MGs
are located. Thank God for
these stout hearted kids whom I
have never yet seen open up until
they have a visual, multiple target |
for their automatic weapons. In
stead of that they throw grenades,
fire their rifles and are often re-
warded with animal-like screams
and groans.
Crash of Shells Comforting.
BY now we had our artillery reg
tstered as close as we dared, and 1t |
was comforting to hear shells crash
Ing out there in front of you. You
feel fairly confident the Nips can't
bring many reinforcements from
their rear through that barrage. It
10 crashing SO close CnaG we even |
get an occasional casualty ourselves.
BY midnight they were really be-
ginning to whoop 1t up, laughing like
shrill hyenas, changing sabers
against bayonets and shouting, THE
emperor draws much blood this
night" TX Co., withdraw" etc.
Now an occasional infiltrator.
slightly holder than the others, has
sneaked in the darkness to the edge
Of foxhole with his knife. Often
ne causes casualty, but never does
ne leave that spot alive.
Another crawls up close enough
to toss or lob grenade into q fox
hole. Ones feelings are beyond
memory. I do not believe 1t Is fear
that possesses you. But the nervous
tension is terrific and until real fast
action gives you a chance to I'M
loose some of those pent-up nerves,
all alike shiver in our water
filled holes to such an extent that
teeth actually chatter. You are
tense in every muscle, ready to
react with carbine, grenade or