User:JMOprof/LittleSandbox

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Guadacanal is not the name of an island. It is the name of the graveyard of the Japanese army. ''&mdash;Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, IJA Commander, 35th Infantry Brigade at Guadalcanal ''

"Guadalcanal is no longer merely a name of an island in Japanese military history. It is the name of the graveyard of the Japanese army." &mdash;Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, IJA Commander, 35th Infantry Brigade at Guadalcanal

"Guadalcanal is no longer merely a name of an island in Japanese military history. It is the name of the graveyard of the Japanese army."

Berryman
H.Q. 2 AUST CORPS, 1 Dec. 43.
 * Commander M. C. MUMMA USN,


 * Comd MTB Squadrons, Seventh Fleet, US NAVY

 On behalf of 2 Aust Corps I wish to express appreciation of the excellent work being done by units of your command in the VITIAZ STRAITS area. The immediate success of their operations will have been evident to the personnel as witness the continual and steady destruction of the enemy's barges over the last few months. But there is another and more far reaching aspect of these operations which I feel should be made known to all taking part, and that is the telling effect which has been wrought upon the enemy's land forces in the FINSCHHAFEN area. The following evidence emerging from the recent operations will illustrate the cumulative effect of the activities of your command.  The small degree to which the enemy has used artillery indicates a shortage of ammunition. The enemy, in an endeavour to protect his barges, has been forced to dispose his normal field artillery over 50 miles of coast when those guns might well have been used in the coastal sector against our land troops. Many Japanese diary entries describe the shortage of rations and the regular fatigues of foraging parties to collect native food, which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. A Japanese PW [prisoner of war] stated that three days rice augmented by native food now has to last 9 days, this is supported by the absence of food and the presence of native roots on enemy dead.</li> <li>There is definite evidence that the enemy has in one area slaughtered and eaten his pack-carrying animals.</li> <li>There is evidence that reinforcements have arrived in the WEWAK area, but, it is believed, the enemy has been unable to send large numbers forward because of his inability to maintain larger forces in the forward area.</li> <li>A PW states that the enemy has been forced to send carrying parties back to KANOMI to carry supplies, thus reducing the fighting troops capable of being placed against our land troops.</li> </ol> From the above you will see how effective has been the work of your squadrons, and how it has contributed to the recent defeat of the enemy.</li> <li>Without your willing cooperation it would not have been possible for our officers to visit FINSCHHAFEN quickly or to have ensured the timely arrival of urgently needed medical supplies such as blood plasma. The number of officers you have carried from BUNA to FINSCHHAFEN has been considerable and must at times have been a strain on the food supplies in your PT Boats, but at all times the courtesy and open hearted hospitality has been most marked and has been deeply appreciated.</li> <li>All ranks of 2 Aust Corps appreciate your help, and, I know, will join me in wishing you every continued success. I would be grateful if you would convey to your officers and crews our appreciation of their cooperation, courtesy and hospitality. </ol> —F. H. BERRYMAN, Maj-Gen, Comd 2 Aust Corps.