Nhpum Ga - The Breakthrough - Pacific War

April 6th 1944, Nphum Ga, Burma, 1400 Hours\\We've gotten word that that 3rd Battalion is pushing hard to break through the enemy defensive ring. The Japanese are aware of that and are making an all out-effort to crush us. You must hold until Colonel Hunter and his column reach your lines. Its all or nothing today, Colonel!\\Historical Background: During the continued enemy attacks for nearly six days, The 2nd Battalion of Marauders had held their ground, but they were now isolated from any outside help. There was no water to tend to the wounded or readily available to slake the dry throats of the Marauders. Knowing that only increased their ravenous desire for the indispensable liquid. Canteens dried up in hours. The situation was approaching disaster, and rather quickly.\\Knowing of their predicament, transport pilots were soon flying into the area, risking themselves and their aircraft to drop in supplies and munitions. The most immediate need was for water. Cut off from the water hole, the marauders could still get into the draw just north of the perimeter, where small swampy pools had been used for the animals. Dead mules lay in the draw, adding the taste of decomposed flesh to the water. The situation, nevertheless, called for emergency measures. American engineers dug a shallow pit to conserve the nauseous liquid.\\Containers of almost 500 gallons of water began to be dropped into the area. Some drifted out of reach, of course, but enough was available to at least keep the garrison alive, if just barely. Unable to evacuate his wounded, McGee tearfully watched as a dozen of his Marauders died due to a lack of more detailed medical attention. They were buried within the perimeter and given a salute of honor for their sacrifice.\\On April 1st, a message filtered down from Stillwell. It said, "Nips running like hell from Shaduzup. Expect their friends to pull out tonight or tomorrow at the latest." To the beleaguered GIs on that hill, it seemed to ring like a cruel "April Fool" joke. Those surrounding Japanese were not about to release them.\\Colonel Charles N. Hunter, the second in command, was a rugged looking, well-built, cigar smoking commander that inspired the loyalty and sacrifice of the men under his command. His assumption of total command was well received. He had their respect and commitment. He now found himself running the Marauder unit with his three battalions scattered in different directions, with one in danger of imminent annihilation. It was not an enviable position to be in, but the Colonel was going to make the best of it.\\Hunter was determined that the 2nd Battalion would not be lost. He immediately organized counterattacks to the south down the trail. They made good progress the first day, knocking out to enemy positions on the path. On the 2nd, two 75mm Howitzers were airdropped into the perimeter of 3rd battalion. Knowing they were coming, Hunter had already found two ex-artillery GIs in his unit and had a quick training course for the others that would make up the two gun crews. Heading up this support fire was S/Sgt John Acker. Within two hours of the pieces hitting the ground, they were hitting the Japanese.\\1st Battalion, located far to the north, had not gotten the calls for help from Colonel Hunter until April 2nd. Even with a hard forced march, they could not get there before April 7th. Hunter and the 3rd Battalion were on their own. Talking with the subordinate officers, he outlined the plan of attack to achieve the breakthrough.\\Meanwhile at Nphum Ga, another large attack by enemy forces from the east breached the inner defenses of 2nd Battalion. The Japanese actually occupied American trenches but were eventually thrown out. Still, the defenses were weakening day by day, and immediate relief was needed.\\The relief force began its journey into hell on April 5th, with Khaki Team leading the way. By April 6th, the last leg of the journey was before them. The 3rd had fought its way to within less than a mile of the 2nd. On this day, every mortar available was keeping their tubes hot with constant harassing fire on the enemy positions. The 75mm guns were pumping out shells as fast as they could be loaded. Ground support aircraft circled the area, waiting for any calls to plaster any known enemy strongpoints. Occasionally they darted in and out, hurling bombs into the hidden Japanese positions.\\An effective mortar barrage from the advancing force had chased many of the Japanese from their positions. When it stopped a foot race ensued between the Marauders and the returning Japanese to see who would get to those positions first. The GIs won. Another 500 yards of ground gained. They were close, oh so close!\\Another day of intense fighting followed, but less than 100 yards of progress was made. The leading assault team was so shot up that it had to be replaced. Inside the perimeter, Colonel McGee decided to attack out as the 3rd Battalion attempted to break into them. This effort failed too.\\ Finally on a memorable Easter Sunday for all Marauders, success was achieved. Waking to the fear of another day of fierce fighting and failure, combat patrols of Khaki Team moved out to test the lines. They moved ahead and received no opposition. In less than thirty minutes a shot rang out. It was not the flat smack of the Japanese rifle, but the sharp crack of a Garand. They had reached the perimeter. The breakthrough had been achieved!