Here's an intriguing article I found from History.net on what was described as the first ground combat between US and Japanese troops.

Battle of Bataan: Brigadier General Clyde A. Selleck Commands the Layac Line » HistoryNet

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That's about it,
Fil

Was the Battle for Wake Island not considered "ground combat"?

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"Logos, Philos, Arete"

The grunts on Wake certainly thought so.

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You know I am thinking they did too

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"Logos, Philos, Arete"

Be nice guys....I'm sure that they thought that they thought that they were the first to oppose the Emperor's Yellow Hordes too, but actually I figure that they had other pressing things on their minds at the time. "Send more Japs" and all that stuff. Semper Fi nevertheless....

The first ground combat was on Guam anyway. The Japanese landed troops and mopped up the extremely small and woefully under-equipped garrison on 10 Dec 41 after a brief fight. Their heaviest weapons were a handful of .30 calibre machine gun and several BARs. Artillery was in the form of hand grenades.

And remember, the first attempted Japanese landings at Wake on 11 Dec 41 were rudely driven off by the heroic defenders of Wake Island before the Japs got a chance to put troops ashore, and their next successful attempt was 23 Dec 41. And we all know what happened after that.

The Japanese landed troops at Lingayen Gulf (PI) on 22 Dec 41, and quickly overrun and scattered USAFFE units posted there to oppose the landings. Don't get me started on Mac again....

Twenty push-ups for the both of you....

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On the Plains of Hesitation
lies the blackend bones of countless millions
who, at the dawn of victory sat down to rest,
and resting died....
(author unknown-I wish it was me)

Allow me to draw your attention to a little something I like to call: "The International Dateline" and unfortunately Bobby it's not a 976 number where you can chat with the hot co-ed of your choice.

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"Logos, Philos, Arete"

Anything happen at shanghai? Stop laughing its a serious question..

On 8 December 1941 The Japanese occupied the settlement

( North China Marines - Prisoners of War )

A rather timid showing; proof that discretion is the better part of valor.

Again I think the International Dateline is causing a great deal of confusion

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"Logos, Philos, Arete"

I only mention it cos i knew of the brief naval actions but not if brits and states had any ground troops involvement. Who can blame them.. Not as if they could expect any relief or hold out.

The death rate listings in later life speak volumes on that site.

Whilst I vote for Wake Island, an the fact is that Wake, Luzon, and Guam for that matter, are all west of the international date line. At 0001 22 Dec 41 on Wake, it was 2001 21 Dec 41 at Lingayen Gulf, so at 0800 22 Dec 41 at Lingayen Gulf, it was 1200 22 Dec 41 at Wake. Dawn on 23 Dec at Wake was at about 0700, it was 0300 23 Dec at Lingayen and the Japanese had been ashore for slightly less than a day.

Of course, the action along the Laylac line, as described in the link, occurred on 6 Jan 42, long after the dust had settled on Wake.

Rich

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I wonder what this button does . . .

So, ground aggression, by the Japanese, began at the same time is what you are saying?

__________________
"Logos, Philos, Arete"

I had no idea of any action on the Asian mainland. I thought all the Marines were withdrawn to the PI with the rest of the 4th Marines in November of 41. No disrespect intended. I was going with information from memory anyway. The question a first ground combat was in this thread as being on Luzon. I thought that it was at Guam, since the first attack overwhelmed the US garrison there in several hours. I knew that the boys on Wake Island put up a hellofa fight before surrendering (due to broken communications) on December 23rd when they were actually in the process of kicking Jap ass there. When the Japs came ashore at the Lingayen Gulf on 22 Dec local time, I didn't take into account of the international date line. Again, no disrespect intended to those men in the field pulling triggers where ever they were was intended. My position was to enlighten those who got their history lessons from movies to the truth, and the movie "Wake Island" wrongfully led many amatuer historians down the wrong path. I am not into splitting hairs on this issue. That was not my intention. All were heroes in my book. I stand corrected in my attempt to set things staight. Done deal.

__________________
On the Plains of Hesitation
lies the blackend bones of countless millions
who, at the dawn of victory sat down to rest,
and resting died....
(author unknown-I wish it was me)

Dont be daft a58.. No one thinks otherwise. This is a learning thread.. Well it is to me anyway.

I wasn't daft last night, I was severely polluted....

__________________
On the Plains of Hesitation
lies the blackend bones of countless millions
who, at the dawn of victory sat down to rest,
and resting died....
(author unknown-I wish it was me)

I'm sending you the bill....

__________________
On the Plains of Hesitation
lies the blackend bones of countless millions
who, at the dawn of victory sat down to rest,
and resting died....
(author unknown-I wish it was me)

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.

That is not exactly correct the earlier defense battalions were a composite unit and had a company of Infantry attached. The 51st and 52nd were the first to be sent overseas without an infantry company.

__________________
"Logos, Philos, Arete"

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!

I dont care who was first anymore just a great informative thread guys. Excellent stuff.