THE ADMIRALTIES
Operations of the 1st Cavalry Division
29 February - 18 May 1944

Cover: The Admiralties

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
UNITED STATES ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1990

First printed by the Historical Division, War Department, for the American Forces in Action series, 1946

CMH Pub 100-3

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402


Foreword to CMH Edition

The Admiralties: Operations of the 1st Cavalry Division (29 February -18 May 1944) is one of a series of fourteen studies of World War II operations originally published by the War Department's Historical Division and now returned to print as part of the Army's commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of that momentous clash of arms. These volumes, prepared by professional historians shortly after the events described, provide a concise summary of some of the major campaigns and battles fought by American soldiers. The skillful combination of combat interviews with primary sources, many of which are now lost, gives these unassuming narratives a special importance to military historians. The careful analysis of key operations provides numerous lessons for today's military students.

I am pleased that this entire group of studies will once again be available. I urge all military students and teachers to use them to enhance our collective awareness of the skill, leadership, daring, and professionalism exhibited by our military forebears.

Washington, D.C.
15 September 1989

HAROLD W NELSON
Colonel, FA
Chief of Military History


Foreword

In a nation at war, teamwork by the whole people is necessary for victory. But the issue is decided on the battlefield, toward which all national effort leads. The country's fate lies in the hands of its soldier citizens; In the clash of battle is found the final test of plans, training, equipment, and-above all-the fighting spirit of units and individuals.

AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION SERIES presents detailed accounts of particular combat operations of United States forces. To the American public, this record of high achievement by men who served their nation well is presented as a preface to the full military history of World War II. To the soldiers who took part in the operations concerned, these narratives will give the opportunity to see more clearly the results of orders which they obeyed and of sacrifices which they and their comrades made, in performance of missions that find their meaning in the outcome of a larger plan of battle.

s/Dwight D. Eisenhower
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER,
Chief of Staff.

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Historical Division
Washington 25, D. C.
1 December 1945

The Admiralties: Operations of the 1st Cavalry Division, 29 February - 18 May 1944, is the eighth of a series called AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION. This study was prepared by the Historical Division from the best military records available. Although in its published form the book contains no documentation, the original manuscript, fully documented, is on file in the War Department. Photographs are from the following sources: U.S. Army Signal Corps (pp. 22, 24, 25, 27, 32, 35, 42, 49, 70, 72, 73, 83, 94, 110, 136, 139); U. S. Army Air Forces (pp. 16, 72, 86, 106); 8th Engineer Squadron (pp. 68, 88, 91, 98, 101, 130, 138, 147); U.S. Air Transport Command, Overseas Technical Unit (pp. 5, 58, 119, 145); Acme Newspictures, Inc. (pp. 26, 28, 52, 112, 121); U.S. Navy Department (p. 135). The photographs from Acme Newspictures, Inc., may not be reproduced without the approval of the War Department. Readers are urged to send directly to the Historical Division, War Department, Washington 25, D. C. all comments, criticism, and additional data which may help in the preparation of a complete and definitive history of the Admiralties operation.

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Contents

 
Page

INVASION PLANNING

1

The Objective

4

The Attack Date Is Advanced

10

Planning the Reconnaissance in Force

12

THE BATTLE FOR LOS NEGROS BEACHHEAD

21

The Landing

23

"Hold What You Have Taken"

29

Enlarging the Perimeter

38

The Big Night Attack (3/4 March)

43

Reinforcements

50

Enemy Side

53

GAINING CONTROL OF SEEADLER HARBOR

58

Advance North (5-7 March)

60

New Beachheads: Papitalai and Lombrum

64

Supply Problems

68

Landing of the 2d Brigade

71

ATTACK ON MANUS ISLAND

76

Preparations

79

Landing at Lugos Mission (15 March)

82

8th Cavalry Moves East (15-16 March)

85

Check at the Airdrome (16 March)

90

To the Lorengau River (17 March)

93

THROUGH LORENGAU TO ROSSUM

97

Lorengau: An Easy Conquest

97

Locating the Enemy Strength

103

Heavy Going to Rossum

106

The 8th Cavalry Breaks the Enemy Hold

112

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Page

ROUND-UP ON LOS NEGROS

117

Attack on Hill 260

118

Patrolling by the 12th Cavalry

123

Attack in the Papitalai Hills

126

LAST STAGES

135

Capture of Outlying Islands

135

Final Mopping Up on Manus

140

Construction Activities

144

CONCLUSION

148

ANNEX NO. 1: ABBREVIATIONS

151

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Maps

No.

 

Page

1

Control in the Pacific, February 1944

x

2

Allied Advance Toward the Bismarck Sea, as of 29 February

2

3

Admiralty Islands

8

4

Plans for Initial Landing, 29 February

14

5

The First Day's Beachhead, 29 February

30

6

Defense of the Airdrome, 2-4 March

40

7

Expanding the Beachhead: Objectives

60

8

Expanding the Beachhead: Operations

62

9

Attack on Manus

77

10

Landing at Lugos Mission, 15 March

78

11

Check at the Airdrome, 16 March

90

12

Advance Through Lorengau, 17-18 March

95

13

Fight for the Rossum Road, 19-25 March

102

14

Hill 260, 14-17 March

118

15

12th Cavalry Probes Inland

124

16

The Last Fight on Los Negros, 20-25 March

128

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page created 28 June 2001


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