Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthWestPacificVet
"186th landed against slight opposition on Biak Island 27 May 44".
There was machine gun fire coming ashore if the author wishes to refer to that as slight, what that fails to mention is there was one hell of a fight from cave to cave at close range with demolition blocks and flame throwers taking that awful bloody place.
|
My dad was with the 186th as well. He got to the pacific near the end of 1943 and saw his 1st action at Hollandia and he was at Biak as well. I remember asking him if ever had a really rough amphibious landing similar to a D-day. I thought he said that his landings themselves were relatively easy and he never was pinned down on the beach or anything like that. He told me about horrendous fighting after the landings were completed and they advanced.
But I guess if you are one of the first troops in the landing and in the line of fire of that "slight" resistance then it doesn't seem too slight!
I have read your other posts Jack and find them fascinating. What did you think of Macarthur? My dad respected him immensely as a General but I don't he cared for his ego. He also thought Truman was correct in replacing him in Korea.
Thanks,
Tom