Delayed at Cogon PTO (id:#65427)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #51 ID: DB162)   [next]   [previous]

Cogon, Leyte Island 1944-12-14 (3 others)

Overview:

After capturing the city of Ormoc, the American 77th Infantry Division continued the drive north along Highway 2 with the goal of capturing the town of Valencia. On December 11, as the division was crossing the Anilao River on the way to the objective, it was stopped by heavy machine gun fire from a position across the river. Numerous hidden spider holes, and log pillboxes guarded the approach manned by the reinforced Japanese 12th Independent Infantry Regiment. At the center of the defense was a concrete building on a raised plateau that had been converted into a mini-fortress. December 12 saw some skirmishes and the arrival of reinforcements, supplies and artillery. The assault began in earnest on December 13 but the fortified building still stood at the end of the day and the remaining defenders clung tenaciously to their position, still posing a threat to traffic on Highway 2. On December 14, 1944, Company E, 305th Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division led the frontal assault against the concrete building supported by artillery and mortar fire. Self-propelled guns were called up to fire point blank at enemy fortifications while armored bulldozers buried enemy infantry in their foxholes. Heroic First Lieutenant Robert B. Nett personally led Company E in the final assault on the building despite being wounded, earning him the Medal of Honor.

Defender: Japanese (12th Independent Infantry Regiment with ad hoc Reinforcements)  

Errata (source)