SECTION IIFIELD ARTILLERY
Antipersonnel FireReport of Operations,Arundel Island: “It was apparent that the Japs were concentrating their forces onStima Peninsula.... The area was divided by coordinates and assigned to various artillery and mortar elements. Heavy fires were placed on them throughout the night.
During the advance down the peninsula the next day numerous enemy dead were noted, verifying the effectiveness of the previous night’s concentrations.”
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Dealing with Tree SnipersReport of Operations, 43d Division,New Georgia: “We effectively cured the Jap of his liking for sniping from trees by the command, ‘Fire Mission. All Battalions.Fuze Quick. Three Volleys.’ The quick fuze resulted in bursts in the tree tops. After a week of this treatment the Jap sniper moved from the trees to the ground.
Adjustment of Fire“All close support adjustments were made by ‘sound and fragment’ method until the latter part of the campaign, when ground observation was obtained. Forward observers were always in the most forward position possible—in some cases in advance of the lines. Adjustments were time-consuming, starting at a range surely over friendly troops and working gradually closer to our front lines. Some smoke was used butnot very successfully in the jungle. Tree tops were not used for observation because of the limited view and the fact that our troops were suspicious of all activity in trees.Prisoners of war inquired about our ‘automatic artillery.’
Morale Effect“The incessant firing of our artillery during the six-week period produced contrasting effectson the nerves of our own troops and on those of the enemy. Our infantry often stated that having those rounds continually landing in front of them was one of their best morale builders, especially at night. In the Jap, on the other hand, it produced severe cases of war neurosis. He couldn’t sleep at night because he never knew when or where the next round was going to land. He couldn’t sleep in the daytime because when our infantry wasn’t attacking him our artillery was giving him hell.
“The following statements made by prisoners are interesting:
“‘BetweenBibilo Hilland the airport we had many guns of all sizes before this campaign, but now many of them are gone—knocked out by artillery. It has completely demoralized many units, reduced many units in strength, and has made many men go crazy. We were awakened at night by the slightest noise, because of the bad state of nerves. At night three men stayed in one foxhole; two smoked while one slept. During the day we also tried to get some sleep by alternating, but the continual artillery fire kept us on edge and we got no rest.’“‘Even in the two-story dugouts many men were killed just by concussion. A direct hit would kill all the men inside.’“‘The artillery is the one thing that is universally feared by all our ground troops. It continues over such long periods of time and the rounds come so fast.’“‘Except for the artillery we could continue our defense.’”
“‘BetweenBibilo Hilland the airport we had many guns of all sizes before this campaign, but now many of them are gone—knocked out by artillery. It has completely demoralized many units, reduced many units in strength, and has made many men go crazy. We were awakened at night by the slightest noise, because of the bad state of nerves. At night three men stayed in one foxhole; two smoked while one slept. During the day we also tried to get some sleep by alternating, but the continual artillery fire kept us on edge and we got no rest.’
“‘Even in the two-story dugouts many men were killed just by concussion. A direct hit would kill all the men inside.’
“‘The artillery is the one thing that is universally feared by all our ground troops. It continues over such long periods of time and the rounds come so fast.’
“‘Except for the artillery we could continue our defense.’”
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Ammunition and FuzesFirst Marine Division, Guadalcanal: “The super-quick fuze is more effective than the delay fuze against troops in wide areas, particularly in the cocoanut groves of the tropics. A report from prisoners indicated that in one unit of approximately 100 men, all but six were casualties as a result of one artillery concentration. The 37mm canister proved to be a devastating type of ammunition.
Disposition“In jungle warfare the artillery of the defensive set-up should not be placed too close to the infantry line. The added range thus obtained is of no value unless observation of the terrain permits its use, which will very seldom be the case. Artillery too close to the infantry is not only needlessly exposed, but is actually less effective because of the limits imposed by minimum-range considerations, and, in the case of 105mm howitzers, because of the impossibility of using high-angle fire at ranges less than 2,000 yards.
Liaison“The liaison officers with infantry regiment should be officers with as much experience as possible, preferably of the rank of captain or above. When possible, either the artillery battalion commander or his executive officer should be sent to the infantry regimental CP at first sign of enemy activity.”
Reinforcing FireLieutenant Colonel R. D. Funk, Field Artillery, Battalion Commander: “If I can spare the radios I am going to send one to the artillery battalion that reinforces me the next time we are in direct support. Then when one of our observers calls in a fire mission we can simply tell the radio at the other battalion to take the mission direct from the observer. This will eliminate a relay through our Fire Direction Center and speed things up considerably.
Transportation“We keep only seven 2½-ton trucks with each howitzer battery. The three spares stay in the Service Battery ready to replace damaged ones in any howitzer battery. This also allows the maintenance section to have vehicles available for 6,000-mile checks. When one is finished they send it out to replace another that is due for check.
Fire Direction Center“We are using two ¾-ton trucks for the CP section of Headquarters Battery. Each has a tent and a fire direction group. When we move the CP we send out one truck with the S-3. He takes over the operation of the Fire Direction Center when he gets set up, and the rear CP can then close down and move.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPSUses of the Pack Board
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPSUses of the Pack Board
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS
Uses of the Pack Board
Pack Boards for Observers“We use pack boardsCfor forward observers and liaison parties. They are a wonderful help in hilly or mountainous country when these parties have to leave their vehicles and hoof it. Two for each party adds up to six per howitzer battery and six in Battalion Headquarters Battery.”
CRectangular frames with canvas centers to which supplies or gear may be lashed and carried as a pack. Seeillustration.
CRectangular frames with canvas centers to which supplies or gear may be lashed and carried as a pack. Seeillustration.
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPSPatrol of the 25th Division, New Georgia Campaign
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPSPatrol of the 25th Division, New Georgia Campaign
PHOTOGRAPH BY U. S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS
Patrol of the 25th Division, New Georgia Campaign