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From the rock-bound coasts of Maine to half the islands in the Pacific and to Japan itself—that is the war record of New England’s 43d Division. The veterans of the 43d, drawn from Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut, wear the black grape leaf on a red quatrefoil as a shoulder patch, and are qualified to wear four campaign stars on their Asiatic ribbon.
The “Winged Victory’’ Division, which was organized shortly after World War I, has many units which date back to the Revolution. Reactivated early in 1941, the New Englanders have been almost constantly on the go ever since.
The 43d’s first assignment overseas was a tour of duty in New Zealand, when it appeared likely that the Japanese might invade that country. It then shipped for a brief stay in New Caledonia. Early in 1943 the New Englanders reached Guadalcanal before that campaign had ended and aided in the mopping up of isolated Japanese units.
A month later the New Englanders began the war in earnest. Their first mission as a unit was the invasion of the Russell Islands, and the men with the twang were disappointed when they took the islands without opposition. But they were soon to long for this quiet invasion. With elements of the Army, Navy and Marines, the 43d, in late June of 1943, assaulted New Georgia, landing on Rendova Island.
For 35 days of what many authorities believe to be the dirtiest, roughest campaign of the early war in the Pacific, the 43d fought for Munda airport. As yet inexperienced in the ways of jungle fighting, the 43d was opposed by some of the crack elements of the Imperial Japanese Army. All the tricks of the jungle which eventually became old stuff to our troops were strange to the men of the 43d in the fight for Munda. They had to learn the hard and bloody way, and they did. On August 5 the 43d broke the Japanese resistance and seized its prime objective—the vital Munda airstrip.
New Guinea’s stinking hell was the next stop for the men from the land of the fir and pine. They joined other forces at Aitape and had a share in the bloody battle of the Driniumor River. It was there that the Japanese, in an effort to break through the encircling American forces, were slaughtered by the thousands as they attempted a crossing of the swift-flowing Driniumor.
The 43d drew a mean assignment in the invasion of Luzon. Landing on D-day on January 9, 1945, at Lingayen Gulf, the 43d’s mission was to take the left flank and secure the hill masses and road network in order to block off the strong Japanese forces in the mountains at Baguio.
The Japanese defenses of the island were such that the 43d bore the brunt of the fighting in securing positions on Lingayen Gulf. While other assault divisions were moving south over comparatively flat terrain, and over highways, the New Englanders were deep in the hills. There they encountered heavy mountain guns and deep cave positions, and were forced to move their supplies up trailless slopes. For the first 30 days the 43d was in constant battle with the enemy.
Later the 43d moved to the east of Manila and helped clear the Nips from the hills near the city. One of the most brilliant campaigns in the fight for the liberation of Luzon was staged by the 43d when, working with guerrilla forces, it took a mountain dam which was vital to Manila’s water supply.
From Fighting Divisions, Kahn & McLemore, Infantry Journal Press, 1945-1946.
