MERRILL'S MARAUDERS
February - May 1944
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
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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page created 29 June 2001