Bucking For Sergeant (id:#57000)

Critical Hit (Critical Hit # 3.1 ID: CH 59)   [next]   [previous]

Near Chichagof Harbor, Alaska, USA 1943-05-23 (1 other)

Overview:

The campaign for Attu Island was bloody, miserable and much too long for such a treacherous environment. By 23 May, the Americans had pushed the Japanese defenders back and isolated them on the cramped eastern end of the island. Once there the Japanese did not retreat. They had dug an extensive system of trenches, mortar pits and foxholes before the Americans landed. Ona ridge near Chichagof Harbor, the Americans met fierce resistance from a high, snowy plateau on the far side of a steep saddle perhaps 100 yards away. Supported by several heavy machine guns and mortars, the GIs moved to the attack. As the scrambling Americans reached the lip of the plateau, the covering fire lifted and the once hidden enemy opened up at point blank range, rolling grenades down the snowy incline. The attackers suffered immediate casualties and the attack faltered, forcing them to reel back. All but one man, that is; one lone private was seen to remain, silhouetted against the snow at the summit, he appeared oblivious to enemy fire. Letting off a burst of fire and waving his comrades on, the unknown hero led a charge to the top. . .

Defender: Japanese (Elements of the 303rd Independent Infantry Battalion)  

Errata (source)