Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1944-09-02
Marines Baptised
CONTINUED from page u

Mortar fire was concentrated on
the reef and on the beach. Men
were falling from sharpnel on the
left and on the right. Infantry re,
sistance grew sitter At 1O:3o a.
m, the 18th depot was on the
could not be used handily since
beach. AS they disembarked a NOR
tar shell hit at about Is feet
away. -Four casualties were put
back on the tank to be taken to
a transport ship for evacuation.
The rest of the platoon continued
inland seeking cover from shrapnel.
One squad was called up to re-
place riflemen in the frant lines.
onto the beach. The assault troops
The marines were suffering heavy
casualties, were being pushed back
retreated to the beach. Front lines
were now only approximately 100
yards inland. Mortar shells con-
tinued to rain spasmodically all
day and all the first night.
The next morning Is was diScov-
cred that the enemy was organi-
zing counter attack, which If
successful would mean the loss
of the beach. The Jap counter at
tack was on at Z a. m. AS the Nip
poneSe advanced, the marines
moved down the beach. away
from the heavy infantry and NOR
tar fire. A few rugged veterans of
several operations remained at
their guns and attempted to repel
the advancing enemy. Their dis
play of quits" encouraged others.
Gradually the marines pushed Tor
ward, walked over their dead,
determined and blind to every
thing except driving the Sons of
Heaven" back. The 18th depot ac-
counted for their share of the
enemy before they were pulled out
OF the lines to take over their
duties with service and supply.
MORTAR RAIN SHELLS
Mortar shells were still raining
as my boys unloaded ammunition,
demolition material and other
supplies from amphibious trucks.
They set UP security to keep
out Shippers as they helped lead
casualties aboard boats to 60 to
hospital ships, Rife fire was still
thick as they rode guard on trucks
carrying high octane gasoline in
land from the beach. A squad lead
err killed a Jap sniper that had
craWled into a foxhole next to his.
They stood waist-deep In surf
unloading boats as vital supplies OF
food and water were brought In.
Capt. Barr, our commanding OFF,
Ger, gave the boys free rein"
"You may go forward and fight If
YOU want to-" he said. The ma
rines were advancing steadily now;
there were only a few scattered
snipers on the beach. My boys ac-
counted for several of these. Then
they found some port wine and
some saiki "a Jap drink made OF
rice and INT and took time out
to drink a cooke"
I'D" plus 2-3-4-5 rolled by slow
ly. At night each moment seemed
to pause briefly before slipping
into the past. Our artillery con-
tinued to deal out death to the
retreating Japs. The air force gave
shows daily as they bombed, straf-
ed and harassed the enemy. BY
ID" plus the entire 18th depot was
ashore and doing their jobs splen-
didly. They began working with
the Sea Bees and have been COM
mended by the Sea Bees COM
mander for their work.
ACTUAL COMBAT
This was the first time any SER
vice and supply depots have &C
companied the assault troops on
the initial day of any invasion and
the first time colored marines had
seen actual combat. Everyone was
pleased with the job the colored
boys did and I'm sure 1t will pos
sibly lead to another all-colol ed
combat unit. The shore party COM
mander was well pleased with their
GOODNESS under fire and their ini-
tiative in battle. Naturally, I was
pleased, proud and glad it is all
over: Brother, you can say that
again-I will be glad when it is
all ovc-."
At I'D" plus 10 site for bivouac
for the 18th was chosen. 1t Is To-
Gated well inland. ONE company
equipment and records were moved