They were hurled to the ground.
They had come to the heart of Colonel Nakagawa’s infernal mountain, and because they had been stopped so abruptly by what had seemed a single, roundhouse punch, they gave it the name which would describe the entire Umurbrogal—the name of Bloody Nose Ridge.
They did not take it that day, nor that month, nor the next. It was to be the final pocket of Japanese resistance on Peleliu, and it would not fall until November 25.
In the meantime, the First’s attack had fared better on the flanks. The Third Battalion had moved again on the west or left coast, and again had to halt to mark time. On the right flank, the Second Battalion had sent troops over the low ground between Hill 200 and the village of Asias on the east. They tied in with the left-flank company of the Fifth Marines. Between this company and the rest of the Fifth lay a deep swamp which would divide them until a new phase of the offensive began on September 23.
By dusk, that uncomfortable W formation had been erased. Puller’s command at Bloody Nose Ridge now held the enemy in a very shallow U. The regiment’s casualties, exclusive of those of the attached troops, were now at 1,500, or half its strength. But the report to Division said that although gains were slight, “the center of Japanese resistance has been detected and the weakest spots probed.”
“Let’s go git killed on that high ground up there!” the red-haired sergeant yelled, and he and his men went up the sides of Bloody Nose Ridge and many of them were killed.
That was the morning of September 19, when the First Regiment’s Second Battalion was broken on that evil coral complex and the First Battalion all but disappeared.
Everything was hurled against the ridge’s sheer southern face—all the big guns of land and sea, along with aerial bombs, tank weapons, bazookas, flame-throwers, mortars and machine guns and the hand-weapons of attacking riflemen. And Colonel Puller had also reinforced the Second Battalion with the Division Reconnaissance Company and Company C of the First Battalion. All that the First Battalion had left in reserve was A Company, plus a machine-gun platoon composed of men from the Battalion Intelligence Section, cooks, clerks and jeep drivers. In Lieutenant Colonel Honsowetz’ Second Battalion command post, an ominous sequence of orders and reports began:
0545
Heavy mortar fire fell all though our lines during the night. Lieutenant Mercer was killed and his platoon hit hardest.
0605
Enemy rockets firing on E Company lines.
0610
Mortats notified to fire on rocket launchers in 141U.
0715
F Company reports enemy mortars falling on our lines, requests amtracks to evacuate wounded.
0745
The attack is proceeding.
0752
Enemy artillery shelling front lines heavily.
0805
FROM REGIMENT: “Pratically all dead enemy officers are boody-trapped. Use caution.”
0815
Observation Post resquest naval gunfire and bombing on east side of island at Phase 0-4 line.
0818
Heavy enemy artillery fire on Observation Post. Stretcherbearers and corpsmen dispatched requested.
0850
Thanks moving forward.
0902
FROM F COMPANY: “I have approximately 60 men left and four officiers including myself. Lieutenant Russo has three pieces of sharpnel in his back. Lieutenant Maples has been wounded in the shoulder. We are still in the fight.”
0915
Observation Post resquests that more tanks be rushed forward. But runners sent to bring tanks forward report no tanks in entire area between Command Post and Observation Post.
0117
G Company reports that they are hitting caves with 37-millimeter armor-piercing and high explosive. Will require tanks with 75’s before they can advance.
0930
C Company and G Company being committed up the draw to get into 141U.
0940
Mortar fire commencing on target.
1100
Advance stopped. All companies and Observation Post pinned down underheavy mortar barrage.
1105
E Company reports they have only one effective squad due to exhaustion and heat prostration.1110
TO REGIMENT: “We need more men to continue the advance.” FROM REGIMENT: “Will furnish A Company to support you.”
1130
A company moving forward. They report they have 56 men.
1200
G Company radio operator wounded. Replacement sent forward.
1212
Command Post under mortar barrage.
1220
Attack continues at 1230.
1245
F Company requests 15 stretchers and as many bearers as available.
1250
F Company requests that tanks be sent forward. They are receiving heavy machine-gun fire and are having heavy casualties and only tanks can clear the way.
1300
G Company requests permission to withdraw. The men are dropping from exhaustion and our casualties are great from heavy machine-gun fire and mortars. The position is untenable.
FROM BATTALION: “How far will you have to withdraw?”
FROM G COMPANY: “To the reverse slope the hill to avoid fire.”
FROM BATTALION: “Do not withdraw any farther than absolutely necessary. We will lay smoke to cover your change of position.”
1302
TO A COMPANY: “What situation is G Company in? Can you go forward at all?”
FROM A COMPANY: “No.”
1310
TO FIRST BATTALION SICK BAY: “Please send all available ambulances and stretchers to our Command Post.”
1320
A Company reports that the Second Battalion, Seventh, is pinned douwn to the left and cannot cross the ridge.
