Thread by @USArmyCMH

4-6 MARCH 1944 - BATTLE OF WALAWBUM AND "MERRILL'S MARAUDERS"

As the Allies advanced in Burma, Gen Joseph Stilwell sent the 5307th Composite Unit, called GALAHAD, better known as "Merrill's Marauders" on a wide march around the Japanese right to cut the enemy's communications.

They were named for their commander Brigadier General Frank Merrill. While the Chinese advanced slowly, the commander of the Japanese 18th Division left a force to block the Chinese while he attacked to destroy the new threat to his rear.

#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC #WWII

The Americans made their way through thick jungle and occasionally clashed with Japanese, to reach their objective on 3 March. They established two roadblocks and dug in with the 3d BN at the Kachin village of Walawbum, the 2d northwest, and the 1st in reserve.
#MerrillsMarauders

The enemy attacked the 3d BN on 4 and 6 March, but were stopped by the Marauders' rifle marksmanship, heavy mortars and machine guns. On 6 March the Japanese launched a desperate "banzai" attack that failed. To the north the 2d Battalion repulsed six attacks in one day. @TRADOC

The Marauders inflicted severe casualties on the enemy; 800 dead, while suffering 200 casualties of their own. While pleased with the Marauders' performance, Stilwell and Merrill did not want to risk the destruction of the only American ground combat unit in the theater. @USArmy

Stilwell relieved the Marauders with a Chinese regiment on 7 March, but the Japanese managed to withdraw on a hastily built route that bypassed the roadblocks to a strong position on the Jambu Bum, a range of hills at the southern end of the Hukawng Valley.
#Burma #WWIIPacific