The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-01-29
|ow Battle OF CoralSea
Saved Negro Infantry
Nv FLETCHER p. MARTIN
m spresentinR Combined NEGRO Press)

GUADALCANAL-(Via AirmaiD
1.-The Battle of the Coral Sea, near
n two years old, did more than
stop the japanese southwark thrust,
1t saved from possibly humiliation
aNegro infantry force. among other
troops, which would have found it
very difficult, almost impossible, to
stand up under the enemys over
Whelm!ng numbers and material.
This is the opinion Of ranking army
smcers approached on the subject.
"a Almost less than a month follow
ing a very red alert, this unit was
In the New Hebrides (May 4. 1922
following entrainment from Fort
Benning. Ga, and embarkation from
somewhere along the west coast of
America. Defenses were hurriedly
put up and the unit awaited what
seemed the almost inevitable.
The enemy was known to be
pushing southwark. After his land
angs on Rabaul New Brittany in
January, 1912, his forces moved
down through the Solomons toward
the southeast. Bougainville, Munda
on New Georgia, each base was
fortified enroute. With large naval
force he continued south through
the Solomons Islands and Louisiade
archipelago. Tulago. north across
the channel from Guadalcanal was
occupied. The fleet continued
south.
The enemy's strategy could well
be understood. Cut off the Allied
supply route from America TO
Australia. The New Hebrides had
become our perimeter OF defense.
South OF these islands lay New
Caledonia. the South Pacific out
post guarding the essential life line.
II this were cut off the enemy
would control the Southwest Pacific.
True. we had landed troops in Aus
tralia. but Australia was nearly a
thousand miles away.
Time was the important element.
II the job was TO be done, il had
20 be done quickly. America was
sending troops into the Southwest.
On March IT,. 1912. the War Depart
ment announced landings in Aus
tralia On April 26. IL was official
ly announced that American forces
had landed on New Caledonia. The
GEftIIy Idu VI ana
The distance between enemy
holdings in the Solomons and the
American defenses on New
Hebrides was roughly $50 miles A
few hours by aircraft. or two DAYS
by fast ship. The troops on the
Hebrides were Americas hope 10
stave off the attack. holding fort
until reinforcements arrived 1; was
ticklish business, a serious bust
ness.
Airpower Saved Infantry
On May 4, the Negro infantry ar
rived. The ships were unloaded
weapons and ammunition rushed
off. gun emplacementS constructed
everything made ready for what
seemed the inevitable. The enemy
was coming. the men knew they
were coming. they were resigned 10
the fate OF holding on as long as
possible.
Two days later. Just two days.
American and Australian air power
struck the fleet. 1t was q swift and
deadly blow. a surprise which later
proved disastrous for the enemy.
As one Officer explained. the Ameri-
cans had everything that could ny
in the air. Aircraft came from
everywhere. For Ave days the
enemy fleet was hammered In the
end the Japanese had lost II YES
sells sunk including one aircraft
carrier and one heavy cruiser This
led 10 the belief that the enemy had
hundreds OF troops and plenty OF
equipment II is very doubtful
whether our small forces could
have survived il such enemy power
had landed.