MERRILL'S MARAUDERS
February - May 1944

Cover: Merrill's Marauders

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
UNITED STATES ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1990

First printed by the Historical Division, War Department, for the American Forces in Action series, 1945

CMH Pub 100-4

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402


Foreword to CMH Edition

Merrill's Marauders (February-May 1944) is one of a series of fourteen studies of World War II operations originally published by the War Department's Historical Division and now returned to print as part of the Army's commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of that momentous clash of arms. These volumes, prepared by professional historians shortly after the events described, provide a concise summary of some of the major campaigns and battles fought by American soldiers. The skillful combination of combat interviews with primary sources, many of which are now lost, gives these unassuming narratives a special importance to military historians. The careful analysis of key operations provides numerous lessons for today's military students.

I am pleased that this entire group of studies will once again be available. I urge all military students and teachers to use them to enhance our collective awareness of the skill, leadership, daring, and professionalism exhibited by our military forebears.

Washington, D.C.
15 September 1989

HAROLD W. NELSON
Colonel, FA
Chief of Military History


Foreword

In the thick of battle, the soldier is busy doing his job. He has the knowledge and confidence that his Job is part of a unified plan to defeat the enemy, but he does not have time to survey a campaign from a fox hole. If he should be wounded and removed behind the lines, he may have even less opportunity to learn what place he and his unit had in the larger fight.

AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION is a series prepared by the War Department especially for the information of wounded men. It will show these soldiers, who have served their country so well, the part they and their comrades played in achievements which do honor to the record of the United States Army.

s/G. C. Marshall
G. C. MARSHALL
Chief of Staff

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Military Intelligence Division
Washington 25, D. C.
4 June 1945


Merrill's Marauders is an account of the operations of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) in north Burma from February to May, 1944. The Marauders' effort was part of a coordinated offensive, the Allied reconquest of north Burma. Details of the offensive are summarized briefly to set the operations of the 5307th within the larger framework. On 10 August 1944 the 5307th was reorganized as the 475th Infantry Regiment.

The combat narrative is based mainly on interviews conducted by the historian of the 5307th after the operation and on information furnished the Historical Branch, G-2, War Department, by the Commanding General and several members of the unit. Few records were available because the Marauders restricted their files in order to maintain mobility while they were operating behind the Japanese lines. During the second mission a Japanese artillery shell scored a direct hit on the mule carrying the limited quantity of records and maps kept by the unit headquarters. During the third mission the heavy rains made preservation of papers impossible for more than a day or two. The unit's intelligence officer was killed at Myitkyina, and his records were washed away before they could be located.

This study is the fifth of a series called "American Forces in Action," designed exclusively for military personnel. No part of the narrative may be republished without the consent of the A. C. of S., G-2, War Department, Washington 25, D. C.

The manuscript was submitted by the Historical Section of the India-Burma Theater. One photograph is by Acme Newspictures, Inc. (page 25); three are by Capt. Logan E. Weston (pages 35, 63, 85); two aerials are by the U. S. Army Air Forces (pages 38; 104); all others are by the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Readers are urged to send directly to the Historical Branch, G-2, War Department, Washington 25, D. C., comments, criticisms and additional information which may be of value in the preparation of a complete and definitive history of the operations of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional).

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Contents

  Page
INTRODUCTION 1
The War in Burma, January, 1942-March, 1943 1
From Defense to Offense 5
Origin and Training of the American Force 8
Area of Operations 16
Supply 23
Evacuation of Casualties 28
Communications 29
FIRST MISSION: WALAWBUM 31
On the Move 31
Kamaing Road Block 35
Japanese Withdrawal 40
Mission Accomplished 43
SECOND MISSION: SHADUZUP AND INKANGAHTAWNG 47
On the Move to Shaduzup 49
Into Position 54
The 1st Battalion is Relieved 57
On the Move to Inkangahtawng 59
Inkangahtawng Block 63
The Japanese Strike Toward the Tanai Valley 66
Nhpum Ga 71
Beginning of the Siege 76
The 3d Battalion Increases its Effort 82
The Relief Force Wins Through 87
THIRD MISSION: MYITKYINA 93
The Force and the Mission 94
From the Tanai to the Hpungin Valley 97

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  Page
Ritpong 101
Diversion at Tingrukawng 102
H Force's Attack on Myitkyina Air Strip 105
Reinforcements for H Force 108
Preliminary Assault on Myitkyina 108
Checkmate 110
ANNEX NO. 1: CASUALTIES 114
ANNEX NO. 2: DECORATIONS 115

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Maps

No.   Page
1 Japan's Advance to the Southwest x
2 Japanese Conquest of Burma 4
3 Situation in Burma, February 1944 6
4 Burma Relief and Drainage 17
5 North Burma-Area of Operations 19
6 First Mission 33
7 Road Block at Walawbum 36
8 Attack on I and R Platoon 37
9 Completion of Walawbum Operation 41
10 Plan for Second Mission 46
11 Shaduzup 48
12 Approach to Inkangahtawng 60
13 Inkangahtawng 64
14 Withdrawal from Inkangahtawng 67
15 Establishment of Nhpum Ga Perimeter 71
16 Second and Third Days at Nhpum Ga 74
17 Isolation of Force at Nhpum Ga 77
18 First Attempts to Open the Trail 79
19 Progress Toward Nhpum Ga 84
20 End of Siege at Nhpum Ga 88
21 Situation Around Myitkyina 92
22 Routes to Myitkyina 98
23 Attack at Ritpong 100
24 Tingkrukawng Engagement 103
25 Arrival of Forces at Myitkyina 107
26 Positions of Troops near Myitkyina 111
27 From the Hukawng Valley to Myitkyina Inside back cover

Sketches

No.   Page
1 Japanese S-shaped Machine-gun Formation 51
2 Nhpum Ga Perimeter 73

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