September 14th, 2009, 05:07 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Re: First ground combat between Japanese and US troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgunner
Actually these guys were the first US ARMY infantry troops to see action against the Japanese. However even that isn't quite accurate. The US 26th Cavalry was a Philipino Scout unit and it engaged the Japanese as they landed on Luzon. The PS troops were viewed by the War Department (and by the Scouts themselves for that matter) as being a unit of the United States Army. However it was a unit of Filipino troops where were officered by Americans.
On the other hand, Colonel Selleck's force included the US Army's 31st Infantry Regiment (better known as the Thirsty-First or Polar Bears). This unit was the only infantry unit in the USAFFE that was completely made-up of American soldiers. This action was their first action in the Philippines and thus it was the very first US Army infantry formation to make contact with the enemy. Also, I bet it was also the first US infantry formation to make contact with the enemy as well! Yes, the USMC gave the Japanese headaches on Wake Island... BUT, they were members of the USMC's 1st Defense Battalion and thus were actually artillery/coastal artillery and NOT actual infantry! In fact the 1st DB didn't have ANY infantry at all (granted, all USMC troops are trained as infantry). All of its troops were members of the MG, AAA, Coast arty, or members of the 1st DB's HQ/support company (or members of VMF-211).
So this battle really was a first of sorts. Just not the first contact between US and Japanese ground forces.
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The Philippine Scouts were not "viewed" as part of the US Army. They were in fact US Army just as much as the 442nd Nissei infantry regiment was. They were highly trained and provided most of the punch in Bataan.
While the 31st Infantry was the only all-American infantry regiment in the Philippines at that time *, it belonged to the US Army's only division in the Philippines, called the "Philippine Division" later to be designated as the 12th Infantry Division after the war. The rest of the regiments and units of the division were mostly Philippine Scouts but they were US Army as much as the 31st.
* For trivia: The 31st Infantry were not all Americans 
click for bigger
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Some excerpts from the book, "Bataan Uncensored" by Col. E.B. Miller of the 194th Tank Battalion.
The Philippine Scouts were doing the best they could. Jap mortar fire was heavy. The Scouts had to take it with none to throw back. During the day, I had the opportunity - and honor - of witnessing the mettle of these Scouts.
After the battle had opened in the morning, Colonel Doyle had sent a patrol of Scouts, out to the west, to make contact with our forces. This patrol never returned. All in all, five patrols were sent out in that direction during the day. When the first patrol failed to return, everyone knew what had happened.
As each succeeding group was called up to receive instructions and orders for patrol duty. every last man took his orders with no trace of reluctance or fear whatsoever. There was only explicit obedience in the job they had to perform. They knew the seriousness of the situation which confronted them, and I marveled at their soldierly qualities. They knew that death undoubtedly awaited them, but the last patrol went just as eagerly as the first.
All during this day, many wounded Scouts were brought to the rear. Not once did I hear one whimper of pain or an utterance of complaint.
<Later in the chapter>
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Two tanks were placed at the head of the column. Scouts were sent out in front, on foot, to act as "feelers." The 45th had marched a long distance the day before over mountainous terrain, had fought all this day, and now were on a mission that would have been rough, even for fresh troops. Once again the mettle of these superb soldiers came to the front. During that night, and the events which followed, I never heard one word of complaint, only extreme attention to duty!
<after an ambush>
...Meanwhile, the Scouts had formed a line to our rear and fired blindly in the direction of the Japs to cover our withdrawal. That is the only thing that saved us. Their actions that night would have been more than a credit to the best trained and bravest soldiers in the world.
...Under cover of the fire being delivered by the Scouts, we turned the vehicles, which had accompanied us, to the west. The general withdrawal of the column was covered by our one tank.
...By now, the physical condition of the Scouts we had with us, was near complete exhaustion. On the return march, we saw quite a number of Philippine Army soldiers who had thrown away their rifles and were evacuating to the rear. The Scouts were different. Often one would drop in his tracks. It was only by shame that we could get their exhausted bodies to stumble on. We would look at them and say: "Are you Philippine Army or are you Scout?" Without exception, they would stand as erect as possible - and then plod on. I love them and I'm not ashamed of it!
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