Eye Witness Account for Leyte
As November 1944 is coming to a close, the 2nd Battalion/187th Regiment/11th Airborne Division moved up from Bito Beach to the mountains just west of Burauen and it’s an eye-opener for the men. This is the account of CWO William Nelson, personnel officer of the 2nd. wrote:
The Second was literally ferried to the new position in those strange vehicles called amtracs. Enroute, we stared like yokels at a starlet, as we crossed the coastal plain between Dulag and Burauen, for up to this time, we had no idea of the magnitude of the American effort on Leyte.
We passed ammunition dumps by the dozen; 155 batteries; truck battalions; field hospitals and many special-unit headquarters. Finally, as we neared Burauen, we clanked past airstrips jammed with P-38’s. All these installations were literally bogged down in the mud. In fact, the typhoons of October and the continuing deluge had all but washed out the 6th Army’s Service troops and the 5th Air Force back across the beach.
Arriving at Burauen, the battalion found the dry areas – the relatively dry areas of the town already occupied by an Air Force MP platoon, an Ordnance Battalion and the 44th General Hospital. The battalion of the 511th we were to relieve was preparing to move out. A.F. files cheerfully informed us that the Nips bombed away at the strips almost every night, although lately his nightly application had become a bit feeble. [Similar to what the beach troops had already been through – maybe it was the same pilot?!]
Down near one of the airstrips was located the headquarters of our division. This half-flooded landing field had been allotted to the 11th A/B and from it aerial resupply missions were being launched in support of the 511th. Up on the hill, at the edge of town,was the 5th Air Force Headquarters, where it overlooked the three airstrips of its fighter squadrons.
At any rate, the job of the 2nd battalion was to protect this whole gigantic, and confused, melange, and accordingly, it occupied positions about 800 yards west of the town on a low hill dominating the surrounding flat-land.
These notations made by CWO Nelson were found in “The Angels: A History of the 11th Airborne Division” by Lt.General E.M. Flanagan, Jr. US Army (ret. 30 years). I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with the general twice. It will remain as a highlight of my life.
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Personal Note –
I finally succumbed to an interview request, and you can come and see how good or bad I am at talking about myself! Come and visit my only attempt at this!!
https://meetthebloggersblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/pacific-paratrooper-by-gp-cox/
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
John Albright – Stone Ridge, NY; US Army, 188th/11th Airborne Division
Hymie Epstein – NE; US Army, WWII, PTO, Medic, (Buna-Gona) KIA
Michael Galajdik – Elwood, IL; US Navy, WWII, fireman, (Pearl Harbor), KIA
Vernon Grow – Redding, CA; US Navy, WWII, USS Oklahoma,( Pearl Harbor) KIA
Jack Harold – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Navy # 4242, WWII, PTO
Jessie Kuster – Hartford, CT/RI; US Navy WAVE, WWII, ETO, Yeoman
Robert Peers – Vancouver, CAN; RC Navy (Ret.), Korea, Captain
Leonard Rood – DePere, WI; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 423rd Bomb Squadron
Louis Sanchez – Witchita, KS; US Army, WWII, ETO, 3rd Army
Melvin VanGundy Jr. – Jacksonville, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, pilot “Little Colonel”, POW
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Posted on April 27, 2017, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Airborne, Army, History, Leyte, Military, Military History, Philippines, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 99 Comments.
Read that interview you gave Ginger – 47 years. That was a good year!
The bit on the amtrack was great too.
Cheers,
Eric
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I meant to say – nice pic of the amtrac.
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Impressive photo of the Alligator.
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Quite a versatile piece of equipment!
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GP, Thank you for the “Like” on my latest post! Boy, I had zero knowledge about Bito Beach & Burauen, naturally. God bless the memory of the 2nd Battalion/187th Regiment/11th Airborne Division for all they did. Also, congratulations on your interview!!! I took a look. You did so well. I thought it was going to be a live video to see & hear you!!! Disappointment! Ha! Phil
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haha, no live video for me, Phil!! I avoid cameras at all costs, can’t even remember the latest photo ever taken of me. [I think I must take after my dad in that respect.] Besides, nothing in this blog is about me – you know that – it’s about the troops that gave me the right to speak my mind in the comments!! [and today’s post really shows that.] 🙂 But I thank you for saying I did well and for reading about my fathers unit. I truly appreciate your long time friendship.
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Only a Soldier could appreciate the image of the infrastructure in place at Leyte, it would have been phenomenal, closest I can come to it was flying in to Tan Son Nhut airfield in Saigon, the ordinance and scene extended for miles upon miles.
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It’s amazing how anyone can keep track of the organized-chaos!!
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Loved your interview. So interesting to hear your story.
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I have to smile at that reference to the interview, I’ve never considered myself to be interesting! But thank you for reading it.
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I’ve run complicated litigation and overseen litigation on a national scale. But I am in awe of the skills required to plan and execute operations of this kind.
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Such a complex system, I wonder if anyone really understands it all!! 🙂
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Wonderful interview over at the other site! And this eye-witness account of Leyet is a priceless glimpse into real history. Thank you. Keep up the great work! 🙂
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I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement, thank you.
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Always love the military humor and your interview was nice. While doing some family tree research I found my great uncle’s WWII draft card.
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I’m so glad to hear your family history search provided you with a real treasure from your great-uncle!! With us losing that generation so quickly, I’m afraid too much of these relics will be discarded haphazardly. Thankfully your relative’s card is now in trustworthy hands!!
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Love the military humour pictures in this post haha! And I really enjoyed the interview. 🙂
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Thank you for coming by! Your visits are always appreciated!
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Another interesting eyewitness account! The 312th landed at San Roque, Leyte on November 19th. Just imagine what it was like to move in such rainy weather! Oh yeah, and getting strafed by Japanese planes while trying to create a ramp because one LST couldn’t reach the beach. The men stayed on Leyte for seven weeks.
Glad to read your interview as well. You did a great job! The more people that read about the Pacific Theater, the better. 🙂
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Thank you very much for not only reading here, but also the interview. I’m a little embarrassed about it and had to be guilted into advertising it – I’m just not a good salesperson when it comes to talking about myself I guess.
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A lot of people feel the same way. Promoting yourself certainly isn’t the easiest thing to do..
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It just seems strange, doesn’t it?!! I can talk endlessly about someone else, news about me simply seems so much less interesting!
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Whatever I read here it’s always very interestingand goed written
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Thank you, Mary Lou.
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The general’s notations really brought the scene to life.. Wow, you got to meet him too! As for the interview, great answers 🙂
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General Flanagan is a very nice gentleman, but also very old; we spoke twice by phone. Thank you for your enthusiasm here!!
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Reblogged this on KCJones and commented:
AMTRAC (alligator) is still with us!
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Thank you, Penny, for all you do!!
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This is great. Following he great battle.
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I appreciate your enthusiasm!!
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I feel empowered learning the power, grace and determination of our citizens at war.
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They certainly allow us to sleep at night knowing troops such as these stood on the front lines.
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Well done as always, GP. Hugs!
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I appreciate your encouragement!!
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I really liked both the interview and the eye-witness blog. Good work, GP.
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Thank you, Don. Being such an amateur writer, each post is a struggle and the interview – well, I’ve been blogging for 4 1/2 years and this is the first interview I agreed to – CalmKate even had to prod me to advertise it!!
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The interview, albeit brief, did give some appreciated background.
In the accounts, here, it is easy to be transported to that world of constant discomfort and danger – quite a relief to stop reading!
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Sorry to put you through it, but the men tell the story of war far better than I can. I always appreciate your visits and taking the time to read the posts!!
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I enjoyed your interview, GP! And I always love these eye-witness accounts.
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They help explain the war in human terms instead of statistics – that’s my belief anyway. They do get the most attention from the readers, so I can’t be too wrong. 🙂
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Can’t imagine all that mud. Also super interview, GP.
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Thank you, on both counts, John! I can’t believe so many enjoyed the interview!!
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You are very interesting that’s why.
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Don’t you dare make me blush, John!!
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And you continue to focus our attention on those who gave so much.
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Will do, sir.
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Nice interview. 🙂
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I am truly surprised that so many think so!! I always consider myself sort of um-drum.
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I think the Japanese lost the entire war because they didn’t understand the magnitude of the American opposition to them.
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I think we might have to add that they miscalculated the amount of American concern for the Pacific interests. They knew Europe would our primary objective. Thanks for your view, John and for always finding the time to stop in.
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A Fascinating interview. First hand experiences account for some much!
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I agree with the first-hand experiences.
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“He’s behind me….” Don’t we all feel like that on occasion!? 😉 😛
Wonderful interview, GP! That is so cool! 🙂
HUGS for Almost-Friday!!! 🙂
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Thank you very much!
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Excellent article, but I did get distracted by that final note: a personal interview. I’m headed over now to check it out.
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haha, Jacqui, you and I have followed each other for quite a while now, I wouldn’t be surprised if you know more about me than I do!!
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GP, I found the interview short, to the point, and informative. Good job and with this post too. I admit I’ve often wondered where you get the list of deceased and now I know. Again good job. ~~dru~~
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Thanks. The question of the Salutes has come up quite often, I’m glad CalmKate asked that one.
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You might recall I featured an Alligator (with an SP gun mounted) in my photo posts last year about the Muckleburgh Collection. Very useful vehicles indeed, and easily adapted to many tasks. I am clicking over to read your interview now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember. They really are quite the invention! Ya gotta laugh when you read that interview – aren’t I about the most boring person to be interviewed?!!! [that’s a rhetorical question – no reply needed….hahaha]
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Not in the least. I enjoyed it!
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Enjoyed the interview. As I read this post, the men’s capacity for survival astounds me as always. The thought crossed my mind how lucky we are not to have enemy war camps set up all over our country and battles waging daily. I won’t get into the enemy within.
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Unfortunately our men are still risking their lives, but the media tends to concentrate on Trump and nothing else. We actually just had 2 KIA and one WIA last night in Afghanistan. The first thing I saw in my mind was an officer knocking on the parent’s or wife’s door to give them the fateful news.
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The interview answered some of the questions I had as well. Thanks for being willing to do that and maintain this blog. I’ve learned and learn a lot.
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You’ve followed this site quite a while now, Mike, so you know my priority is to talk about the troops, but I appreciate you going over to the interview – I’m not the most exciting person to ever give an interview, that’s for certain!!
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Hi GP, loads of fans are reading your interview, well done! One chap made a comment that you might like to answer when you get time? thanks for participating
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I just came from peeking (ever so carefully) into that post. It made feel good to know that some people actually liked it!!
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Love it would be closer … loads of comments so please keep returning to reply to your fans? They don’t know me
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I be back in just a few moments.
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GP, you are probably already aware of this book—With the Old Breed by E. B. Sledge—but just in case you aren’t, I think it’s right up your alley. I read a review in the April 21, 2017, New York Times. It’s the author’s first hand account of his experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
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I thank you for thinking of me, Amy – that is greatly appreciated. You’re not going to believe this, but I actually have 2 copies of that book – please don’t ask how that happened because I sure don’t know how – I’m going to chalk it up to old age!! 🙂
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Maybe one was a gift? I thought of you as soon as I saw the review. Is it as good as the review said?
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Oh yes. Like the eye witness accounts here, it puts the events into perspective, brings into reality, not just statistics.
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I always enjoy the first hand accounts of the war. Such miserable conditions, ugh.
I noticed a Hartford, CT native in your Farewell Salutes today. In checking out the life story of Jessie Kuster, I decided to use her story as my contribution to the “We Are The World” blogfest tomorrow. I’ll include a link back to this page.
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Fantastic, Dan!! It always makes me feel good to know people actually read the Salutes, but to go on and research their life is terrific!!
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That was an interesting interview. Enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks. CalmKate sure had her hands full trying to get me to do the interview and every more so to advertise it!!
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Hah, all for a cause. Is she calm anymore? That’s the big question.
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I’m not sure – she just asked me pop back over to her site! 🙂
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Sorry I was just kidding! Creature of habit and all that.
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I read your interview which is quite interesting. We moved to Oyster Bay in Nassau County 47 years ago just about the time you left it. Thanks for interesting posts.
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Thank you for reading it, Rose. I was a bit embarrassed at my amateur writing to advertise it.
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I hope people start reuniting soon down South before it’s too late.
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Agreed.
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I’m so glad I met you GP.
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The feeling is quite mutual!
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A+
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Thanks, Pierre.
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You have summed it up pretty well in that interview.
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It sure didn’t feel like it, that’s why I needed a bit of prodding to advertise it!!
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Sorry I have been absent but I have busy…hopefully it will slow down and I can get around more…have a good day….chuq
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No problem. Priorities come first!
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A check does make things better…LOL chuq
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Wonderful interview! I appreciate all you’re doing, Sir!
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Thank you very much.
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Thank you for mentioning me in your research, Dan.
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Thank you for including me on your list. These memories can teach us so much.
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