Documents Associated With The 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
HISTORY OF BATTALION
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jan 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Feb 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Mar 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Apr 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - May 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jun 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jul 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Aug 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Sep 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Oct 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Nov 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Dec 1944 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jan 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Feb 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Mar 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Apr-May 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jun 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Jul 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
War Journal of 727 ATB - Aug 1945 - Jan 1946 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
Headquarters Record - 727 ATB **
Historical Record - 727 ATB **
General Orders showing Battle Credits and Assault Landing Credits for the 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
obtained from U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) HQ Donovan Research Library
General Order No. 33, 1945 War Department
General Order No. 12, 1946 War Department - New Guinea Campaign - Battle Participation Credits
General Order No. 12, 1946 War Department - Leyte, Philippine Islands Campaign - Battle Participation Credits
Philippine Islands, exclusive of Luzon, lying south of lat. 13 deg 35’ north and adjacent waters
In the service record of enlisted personnel (WD AGO Form 24), this general order may be cited as authority for such entries for personnel who were present for duty as a member of or attached to a unit listed at some time during the limiting dates of the Southern Philippines campaign.
- 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion:
---- Company A:
------ Platoon 1 - Attached to 19th Infantry Regiment
------ Platoon 3 - Attached to 34th Infantry Regiment
------ Platoon 2 - Reserve
- Sixth Army (U.S.) - 727th Amph Trac Bn attached to following (20 Oct to 14 Dec 1944)
---- 24th Infantry Division
------ 19th Infantry Regiment
------ 34th Infantry Regiment
------ 63rd Field Artillery Battalion
------ X Corps
------ 1st Cavalry Division
------ 32nd Infantry Division
------ 127th Infantry Regiment
------ 128th Infantry Regiment
------ 39th Quartermaster War Dog Platoon
------ 21st Infantry Regiment (38th Infantry Division)
Also aided the following:
- 85th Chemical Company and 7th Portable Surgical Hospital
- 210th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion
- Air Corps Technical Intelligence Unit
- 71st Rcn Group A-3 (B-25)
General Order No. 12, 1946 War Department - Luzon, Philippine Islands Campaign - Battle Participation Credits
General Order No. 12, 1946 War Department - Borneo Campaign - Ground Combat - Battle Participation Credits
General Order No. 109, 1946 War Department - Assault Landing Credits
Luzon Campaign
a. Lingayen Gulf, Luzon: 9 Jan 1945, 0930 to 1700 hours
- Company B, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
- 1st Infantry Regiment
- 20th Infantry Regiment
Bataan, Luzon: 15 Feb 1945, 0930 hours
- 151st Infantry Regiment
transported and supported by 3rd Platoon, Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion (unrecognized)
Unrecognized for Luzon Campaign:
Caballo Island - 19 Mar 1945, 1130 hours
- 4 LVTs of 3rd Platoon, Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
- Detachment from 151st Infantry Regiment
Caballo Island: 27 Mar 1945, 0900 hours
- 151st Infantry Regiment
Borneo Campaign
Balikpapan, Borneo: 1 Jul 1945, 0900 to 1600 hours
- Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
Brunei Bay, Borneo: 10 Jun 1945, 0915 hours
- Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
Labaun Island, Borneo: 10 June 1945, 0900 to 0930 hours
Tarakan Island, Borneo: 1 May 1945, 0815 to 1000 hours
- Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
General Order No. 24, 1947 War Department
New Guinea Campaign
Leyte Campaign
Luzon Campaign
Southern Philippines Campaign
All Theaters of Operation
General Order No. 29, 1948 Department of the Army - Battle Credits
Leyte: 17 Oct 1944 to 1 July 1945
- Philippine Islands, exclusive of Luzon and Mindoro, lying south of lat. 13 deg 10’ North and adjacent waters
In the service record of enlisted personnel (WD AGO Forms 24 or 24A, Service Record), these general orders may be cited as authority for such entries for personnel who were present for duty as a member of or attached to a unit listed at sometime during the limiting dated of the Leyte Campaign.
-- 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
The Battalion was attached to the following units at varying times during the Leyte Campaign:
-- 1st Cavalry Division
-- 7th Portable Surgical Hospital
-- X Corps
-- 11th Field Artillery Battalion (24th Inf. Div.)
-- 13th Field Artillery Battalion (24th Inf. Div.)
-- 63rd Field Artillery Battalion (24th Inf. Div.)
-- 19th Infantry Regiment (24th Inf. Div.)
-- 34th Infantry Regiment (24th Inf. Div.)
-- 126th Infantry Regiment (32nd Inf. Div.)
-- 127th Infantry Regiment (32nd Inf. Div.)
-- 128th Infantry Regiment (32nd Inf. Div.)
-- 210th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion
General Order No. 37, 1950 Department of the Army - Assault Landing Credits
II. - Units credited with Assault Landings
3. Luzon: Paragraph 4, section II, WD GO 109, 1946, as amended by paragraph 2, section II, DA GO 23, 1947, pertaining to the Luzon assault landings, is further amended as follows:
Brunei Bay, Borneo - Delete: Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
Labaun Island, Borneo - Add: Company A, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
General Order No. 47, 1950 Department of the Army - Philippine President Unit Citation
727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
General Order No. 14, 1993 Department of the Army - Assault Landing Credit
**********
Video of 727 ATB during OBOE Operations*
OPERATION KING-TWO (Leyte)
Report on Leyte - 727 ATB - obtained from Eisenhower Library
Directives and Orders from GHQ, SWPA and Sixth Army - Operation KING-TWO
Enemy Troop Dispositions - 7 Nov 1944
Commendation to 727 ATB from 34th Infantry - 3 Dec 1944 **
For Operation King-Two, Headquarters Company and Company A of our Battalion were attached to the 24th Infantry Division with 1st Platoon, Co. A ordered to support the 19th Infantry Regiment and 3rd Platoon, Co. A ordered to support the 34th Infantry Regiment with 2nd Platoon, Co. A and Headquarters Company would be employed as the situation warranted.
Thirty years after the Leyte invasion, Major Gen. Aubrey S. Newman (Colonel in command of the 34th Infantry Regiment in October 1944) wrote an article for the Taro Leaf, the official Newsletter for the 24th Infantry Division Association. In Volume XXVIII, Number 2 (1974-1975) on Page 3 is Maj. Gen. Newman's story entitled "Unforgettable Is The Word For Him." He recounts the events the day after the initial invasion (21 October 1944) including when Col. Newman commandeered one of our Battalion's LVTs and used it to survey the aftermath.
On 22 October 1944, Major Henry Gocio of the 34th Infantry Regiment approached T/5 Andrew Sapp, driver for Cpl. Rade Allen's LVT, and asked if the machine guns of this craft could be used to take out a machine gun nest that had pinned down the advance of their infantry unit for the previous 24 hours. Cpl. Allen navigated his LVT along the T/5 Sapp and T/5 Monick over 500 yards down Highway #1 with their machine guns hitting every obvious target. When they turned around, a Jap soldier made a suicide run at the LVT, laid a land mine under the track and disabled this LVT while injuring Allen and Sapp. Sgt Beach with T/5 Ashcroft and T/5 Copeland immediately pushed their LVT forward to come to the aid of the disabled LVT. Cpl Allen's LVT was credited with over 60 enemy kills and their mission was a great success. Meanwhile, 1st Platoon was supporting the 19th Infantry Regiment in its attacks of enemy forces in and around Hill #522 and in Palo.
Then on 2 November 1944, our Battalion moved 33 miles overnight to Carigara where the 24th Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division were merging to battle the entrenched enemy. We completed our move in two and one-half hours and took up a defensive position for the night. The next day a reinforced company of the 34th Infantry used 3rd Platoon LVTs to make an amphibious assault behind enemy lines at a point four miles from Capoocan. Unbenouced to the landing force, the enemy had been able to press into northern Leyte the vaunted 1st Japanese Infantry Division and was concentrating its forces near the landing area. Within 30 minutes, the 3rd Platoon LVTs were called to return to the landing area and get the men of the 34th Infantry out of harms way. Lt. Corbin lead his Platoon back to the shore and successfully retrieved the infantry.
Due to the heavy rains, the roads became unpassable to anything but our LVTs. The Japs were also using delaying tactics by destroying the bridges, which pressed some of our LVTs into ferrying service until the Engineers could build pontoon bridges.
On 10 November 1944, a force of our LVTs were used to make another amphibious landing with the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry at a point three miles north of Pinamopoan. The 727th's bivouac was moved to Capoocan this day also. The next day, a group of our LVTs made an overwater advance through the Biliran Strait to Calubian, down the Naga River to Consuegra then overland to Agahang. Casualties were returned from the front lines in our LVTs following the same route in reverse. This was a six-hour round trip. Since this was such a long mission, we established a forward Battalion post at Calubian on 12 November 1944. We continued this resupply every day until the 34th Infantry was pulled off the line on 7 December 1944. This would become known as the Battle of Kilay Ridge. During this period, Sgt. Harry Williams of Company A received a chest would on a mission near Pinamopoan.
One week before being relieved, members of the Battalion witnessed the enemy landing at San Isidro on 7 December 1944. They made the initial report of enemy counter-offensive. Lt. Col. Clifford of the 34th Infantry placed all of the LVT crews based in Calubian under his direct control and prepared to defense the entire Calubian Peninsula. The radios on the LVTs were the only line of communications between the 34th Infantry and X Corps Headquarters.
We also were supporting the 19th Infantry Regiment and then the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments (aka 32nd Infantry Division) when they relieved the 24th Infantry Division (excluding the 1st Battalion of the 34th Infanry) on 17 November 1944. Other units aided by our Battalion during this period included the 39th Quartermaster War Dog Platoon and the 7th Portable Hospital. Our LVTs also transported a party of eight local dignitaries, including Mr. Minusa, Mayor of barrio of Leyte, and Raphael Martines, Senator-at-large, to a meeting in Carigara with Philippines Pres. Osmena and Gen. MacArthur. We evacuated two liaison flyers of XXIV Corps and their damaged artillery liaison plane from the town of Leyte to Capoocan. One LVT was used by the Air Corps Technical Intelligence unit to salvage a downed enemy Naval plane submerged in the Biliran Strait at Villalon. On 4 December, our tractors based in Calubian picked of three survivors of a B-25 shot down by the enemy near Daha. Our efforts continued until the entire Battalion was pulled off the line on 14 December 1944.
NAVAL REPORTS OF OPERATION KING TWO RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN
Command History, Seventy Amphibious Force, U.S. Navy - 10 Jan 1943 to 23 Dec 1945
Northern Attack Force, Task Force 78, from Report on KING TWO by Commander, Task Force 77
Report on KING TWO by Commander, Transport Division Twenty-Four
Report on KING TWO by Commander, Transport Division Six
Report on KING TWO by Commander Task Unit 78.1.7 (PC Control Group)
Report on KING TWO by Commander Task Unit 78.1.4 (LST Group 20)
Report on KING TWO by Commander, USS Titania
Report on KING TWO by Commander, USS Hercules
Report on KING TWO by Commander, USS Fayette
OPERATION MIKE-ONE (Luzon)
Report on Luzon - 727 ATB - obtained from Eisenhower Library
Directives from GHQ, SWPA for Operation MIKE-ONE
Directives from Sixth U.S. Army for Operation MIKE-ONE
6th Infantry Division Battle Plan dated 28 November 1944 - Part 1
6th Infantry Division Battle Plan dated 28 November 1944 - Part 2
6th Infantry Division Battle Plan dated 28 November 1944 - Part 3
6th Infantry Division Battle Plan dated 28 November 1944 - Part 4
6th Infantry Division Battle Plan dated 28 November 1944 - Part 5
Directives of Sixth U.S. Army for Mariveles-Corregidor
6th Infantry Division - Col. Palmer Report - Chapters 1-3
This is the first three chapters of the official report of Col. Bruce Palmer of the 6th Infantry Division regarding the Luzon invasion in January 1945.
Commendation to 727 ATB from Sixth U.S. Army - 12 May 1945 **
Company B from our Battalion landed the 1st and 19th Infantry Regiments on 9 January 1945, comprising the first five waves that landed on Blue Beach in the vicinity of Dagupan. 1st Platoon carried 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry to the Binlac River area, where they were met with a Jap air attack near the Bued River. 2nd Platoon carried the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry to the beach and then inland to the town of Dagupan. 3rd Platoon landed the assault troops of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry inland 2,000 yards. The landing was highly successful but our Battalion had one wounded (Hansen). Company B continued to provide direct support to these infantry units during the Battle of Cabaruan Hills until relieved on 4 February 1945. Company B also provided support for the Engineers hauling bridging supplies and pontoons to sites along the Agno River near Mangaldan, Villasis, Urdaneta, Rosales, Binalonan, Manaoag and Santa Barbara and later was assigned to protect and defend 22 area bridges from enemy action to destroy these structures.
Company A of the 727th landed on 11 January 1945 and was immediately pressed into service (12 hours on, 12 hours off) unloading the supply ships in Lingayen Gulf. Due to a severe tropical storm during the first few days of the invasion, the surf conditions could only be navigated by our LVTs. On 14 January 1945, forty-five LVTs and crew were dispatched to Green Beach near the town of Lingayen where Col. Faulkner, C.O. of Sub-Base No. 3, was going to use our tractors to unload matting for the airstrip at Lingayen Airstrip. However surf conditions would not allow for such unloading to occur at scheduled. The LVTs are instead used to unload gasoline hold landing craft in position on the beach then these LVTs returned to Base M the main un loading efforts continued until early March 1945.
In February 1945, a detachment of 12 LVTs from 3rd Platoon, Company A, were placed under the command of XI Corps and shipped to Subic Bay in preparation for the retaking of the Bataan Peninsula. On 15 February 1945, they made a landing at Mariveles Bay, providing covering fire for the initial waves of the invasion. Over the next few weeks, the unit was employed in apprehension of Jap soliders that were attempting to escape from the island of Corregidor by swimming to the mainland. Those who surrendered peacefully were taken prisoner, while others were dispatched when their actions indicated a mortal threat to the LVT crews. Other LVTs were used to reconnoiter caves along the shores of Corregidor Island to locate enemy soliders.
On 19 March 1945, four LVTs were loaded with infantry and departed Corregidor for the nearby island of Cabrillo. Shortly after landing, the LVTs and infantry began to reconnaisance the island and soon had to withdraw because of intense enemy resistence. Battalion Hq received a warning order from Sixth U.S. Army to prepare for overwater movement. 3rd Platoon was recalled from Corregidor and returned to Dagupan on 23 March 1945. However, the timing was too late to make the transports that were loaded with the rest of the Battalion, which departed from Luzon on 27 March 1945.
NAVAL REPORTS# OF OPERATION MIKE ONE RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, Seventh Amphibious Force
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, Amphibious Group Eight
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, Transport Division Twenty
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, USS Pierce
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, Transport Division Twenty-Six
Report on MIKE ONE regarding Attack Group Control by Commander, Transport Division Twenty-Six
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST Flotilla Three
War Diary, January 1945 by Commander, LST Group 41 Flotilla 14
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST Flotilla Eight
Report on MIKE ONE (LST Reports) by Commander, LST Flotilla Eight
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LCI(G) Group Forty-Five
Report on MIKE ONE by commander, USS Monitor
War Diary January-February 1945 by Commander, LST-555
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-565
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-581
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-583
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-612
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-614
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-628
Report on MIKE ONE by Commander, LST-990
Report on Mariveles-Corregidor Landings by Commander, Amphibious Group Nine
Report on Mariveles-Corregidor Landings by Commander, Transport Division 100
Report on Mariveles-Corregidor Landings by Commander, LST Group Sixty-Five
Report on Mariveles-Special Suicide Boat Attacks by Commander, LCS(L) Flotilla One
War Diary (Page 7) February 1945 by Commander, Amphibious Group Six
Report of Occupation of Corregidor (Page 3) February 1945 by Commander, USS Dyson
Report of Occupation of Corregidor (Pages 44-45) February 1945 by Commander, USS Saufley
War Diary March 1945 by Commander, 7th Amphibious Force
War Diary March 1945 by Commander, LCT(6) Group 64 Flotilla 22
OPERATION OBOE ONE (Tarakan)
Report on Interim Activities of 727th Amph Trac Bn **
PLANNING PHASE
GHQ Conference Notes 17 March 1945 - Pages 165-168 from awm52-1-4-1-55-2
MEMO dated 19 March 1945 from Adv LHQ - GHQ info on LVT Availability - Page 170 from awm52-1-4-1-55
Sixth U.S. Army Secret Radio Teletype to 727th Amph Trac Bn dated 20 March 1945 **
SWPA Command - Operation Order No. 99 dated 21 March 1945
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 27 March 1945 1000 -Pages 137-138 from awm52-8-2-26-42
Maj. Varricchione and Lt. Garfinkle give a briefing on the organization of our Battalion and the capabilites of our LVTs to Brig. D. A. Whitehead, Commander of the 26th Australian Infantry Brigade.
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 29 March 1945 0915 - Pages 110-112 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 29 March 1945 1130 -Pages 139-140 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 30 March 1945 0915 -Pages 113-114 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 31 March 1945 0900 - Pages 83-84 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 31 March 1945 1430 -Pages 147-148 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 1 April 1945 1415 - Pages115-116 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 2 April 1945 0900 - Pages 88-89 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 3 April 1945 0900 - Pages 90-91 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 4 April 1945 1415 - Pages 92-94 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 6 April 1945 0900 -Pages 134 - 136 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 7 April 1945 0900 - Pages 98-99 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 7 April 1945 0900 -Page 128 - 131 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 9 April 1945 0900 -Pages 125-126 from awm52-8-2-26-42
OBOE ONE Conference Notes 10 April 1945 0900 -Page 127 from awm52-8-2-26-42
LOCATION STATEMENT - 9th Aust Div 10 April 1945 - Pages 107-119 from awm52-1-5-20-55
OPERATIONAL PHASE
Report on Operation OBOE ONE - 727 ATB **
Operation Order No. 1 - 9th Aust Div 12 April 1945 - Pages 129-165 from awm52-1-5-20-55
Landing Diagram for Operation OBOE ONE - Page 82 from AWM52-8-3-23-067
LST-562 - Deck Log for 1 May 1945
LST-562 - Deck Log for 3 May 1945
On 30 April 1945, ten LVTs of the Special Platoon (comprised of individual crews from Co. A and Co. B) were used to transport and support the 2/13 Australian Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, during the preinvasion mission to destroy the four layers of beach obtacles protecting Lingkas Beach on Tarakan Island. The initial operation was to commence at 1100 hours, but owing to heavy tidal activity that pushed the LVTs more than one mile out of position before the order to attack was given. This phase finally came on station at 1115 hours. They encountered sniper fire and mortar fire. The Aussies from the 2/3 Australian Pioneer Battalion who manned the .50 cal machine guns on our LVTs for this mission took out the sniper housed in a metal building along the beach. At 1500 hours, a second run was made to complete the breaching operation. A total of eleven 60' gaps were made.
The following day, the Provisional Company (from Co. A and Co. B) landed the 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion on Green Beach. They continued to provide support of this operation, transporting Med Supplies to shore and returning with wounded, retrieved small craft and wheeled vehicles strained in the receding tide, held floating pontoon docks in place, unloaded LCMs, and aided a salvage mission in Lingkas Harbour, until their departure on 7 May 1945.
NAVAL REPORTS# OF OPERATION OBOE ONE RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN
Report on OBOE ONE by Commander Amphibious Group Six (Attack Group)
Report on OBOE ONE by Commander, Task Unit 78.1.16 (Destroyer Group)
Report on OBOE ONE by Commander, LST Flotilla Seven
Report on OBOE ONE by Commander, LST Flotilla Fifteen
War Diary April 1945 by Commander, LST Flotilla Fifteen
War Diary for 7 May 1945 by Commander, LST Group Sixty-Five
Report for OBOE ONE (Preinvasion Operations) by Commander, USS PC-1120
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, USS PC-1120
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-466
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-467
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-562
Deck Log for 1 May 1945 by Commander, LST-562 ##
Deck Log for 3 May 1945 by Commander, LST-562 ##
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-584
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-626
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-637
Report for OBOE ONE (Sadau Island and Breaching Operations) by Commander, LST-667
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-697
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-743
Report for OBOE ONE by Commander, LST-1025
OPERATION OBOE SIX (Brunei Bay)
PLANNING PHASE
OBOE SIX - Conference on 26 April 1945 0900 - Page 52 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Conference on 26 April 1945 1500 - Page 54-55 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Conference on 27 April 1945 0900 - Page 58-59 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Conference on 27 April 1945 0930 - Page 60-62 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Conference on 28 April 1945 0900 - Page 66-67 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
Memo on LVT Machine Gun Training on 28 April 1945 - Page 69 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Conference on 29 April 1945 0930 - Page 74-75 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Update of 29 April 1945 Conference Notes - Page 85 from AWM52-8-2-20-111
OBOE SIX - Q&A dated 6 May 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-114
OPERATIONAL PHASE - BRUNEI / MUARA ISLAND
20th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 1 - Pages 20-36 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
Amendment 2 - 20th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 1 15 May 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
Landing Table of Force issued by 20th Aust Inf Bde Pages 5-19 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
727 ATB Assignment - Force to Ship - 20th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 1 - Page 60 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
Amendments of Force to Ship - 20th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 1 - Pages 3-4 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
Key to Ship Names - 20th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 1 - Page 61 from AWM52-8-2-20-112
Embarkation Programme - 20th Aust Inf Bde - Pages 56-57 from AWM52-8-2-20-113
2/15 Aust Inf Bn Op Order 1 - Pages 36-55 from AWM52-8-2-20-113
2/8 Aust Field Regiment Op Order 1 dated 19 May 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-113
20th Aust Inf Bde Embarkation Instructions dated 21 May 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-114
20th Aust Inf Bde Landing Table from AWM52-8-2-20-112
2/3 Aust Field Company RAE Op Order 1 dated 24 May 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-113
Commands of Units and Staff Officers - 20th Aust Inf Bde from AWM52-8-2-20-114
Attack Order 10 June 1945 - Part 1 - AWM52-1-5-20-077
Attack Order 10 June 1945 - Part 2 - AWM52-1-5-20-078
Attack Order 10 June 1945 - Part 3 - AWM52-1-5-20-079
Communication Plan Attack Order A606-45 AWM52-8-2-20-132
Location Code Words for Muara Island and Labuan Island from AWM52-8-2-20-113
Rehearsal - Control of Assault Waves for Green and White Beach Reports from AWM52-8-2-20-113
Rehearsal - Pages 93-104 from AWM52-8-2-20-113
War Diary 20th Aust Inf Bde June 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-115
Analysis of Enemy Activity Brooketon Brunei Area from 10 June 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-115
Report on Operation OBOE SIX - 727 ATB **
Company A LVTs were used to land the 2/15 Australian Infantry Battalion (a unit of the 20th Australian Infantry Brigade) at White Beach, Muara Island on 10 June 1945. The landing was unopposed that they drove their craft across the entire island to Red Beach. Their LVTs were used to haul supplies, crossed bay in a diversionary landing, unloaded LCMs, laid communication wire to reconnaisance and demolition teams, and pulled vehicles from the swamps. The following day, their LVTs were used to haul supplies and evacuate the wounded. On 12 June 1945, an LST picked up Company A and returned them to Morotai to begin preparation for the next mission (Operation Oboe Two). One Battalion member, T/4 Donald E. Westwood, was injured during the landing due to errant fire by the Aussies.
The following is excerpted from the Report of Operation OBOE SIX from Headquarters, 20th Australian Infantry Brigade dated 16 August 1945 (page 27, AWM 52-8-2-20-106):
"Relations with 727 US Amphibious Tractor Bn were especially good, due largely to constant and direct personal liaison between this unit and the battalion it was to support."
OPERATIONAL PHASE - LABUAN ISLAND / WESTON / LUTONG-MIRI
Landing Diagram - 727 ATB Company B - Operation OBOE SIX - Beaches Brown One and Brown Two (Labuan)
24th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 2 - Pages 121-148 from AWM52-8-2-24-034
Order of Battle issued with 24th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 2 - Pages 149-153 from AWM52-8-2-24-034
Landing Table of Force issued with 24th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 2 Pages 95-120 from AWM52-8-2-24-034
Landing Diagram issued with 24th Aust Inf Bde Op Order 2 Page 62 from AWM52-8-2-24-034
Operation Order 2/28 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 103-170 from awm52-8-3-28-45
Intelligence Photos of Labuan - Page191 from awm52-8-3-28-45
Operation Order - 2/43 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 54-93 from awm52-8-3-35-45
Landing Table - 2/43 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 36-40 27-32 34 33 and 35 from awm52-8-3-35-45
Landing Diagram - 2/43 Aust Inf Bn - Page 41 from awm52-8-3-35-45
Operation COCONUT 2/13 Aust Inf Bn Op Order 2 dated 16 June 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-133
Operation COCONUT 2/13 Aust Inf Bn Embarkation Programme from AWM52-8-2-20-133
Operation COCONUT 9th Aust Div Op Order 4 dated 17 June 1945 from AWM52-8-2-20-133
LST-562 - Deck Log for 18 June 1945
Company B 727 ATB Report on Activities for 21 June 1945 - obtained from Eisenhower Library
727 ATB Transportation Log dated 21 June 1945 **
On 10 June 1945, forty-six LVTs of Company B were used to land the 2/28 and 2/43 Australian Infantry Battalions (aka 24th Australian Infantry Brigade) on Brown Beach One and Brown Beach Two, Labuan Island under light resistance. The guns of a cruiser were used to take out an enemy machine gun nest in Victoria Harbour that was harrassing the landing craft. After the landing, the LVTs were used to haul supplies, evacuated wounded and laid signal wire across Victoria Harbour to Horel Point while one Platoon of LVTs were used to make a diversionary landing on Hamilton Penisula.
Then on 15 June 1945, twenty-seven LVTs of Company B were loaded on to LSTs in Brunei Bay. They were transported the next day to Padas Bay were the LVTs made an unopposed combat landing with the 2/32 Australian Infantry Battalion at Weston. They returned the same day to Victoria Harbour.
Two days later on 18 June 1945, thirty LVTs of Company B were loaded on LSTs for another secret mission. On 20 June 1945, these LVTs were disembarked off Lutong, Borneo where another combat landing against light resistance was made with the 2/13 Australian Infantry Battalion. These LVT and crew were reembarked onto the LSTs the same day as the landing. The next day they departed from Lutong and arrived at Victoria Harbour on 22 June 1945.
On 21 June 1945, the Japanese soldiers made their last organized resistance on Labuan. Bennie Torrez from Company B made the first alert of the infiltration in the early hours of this day. The entire account is contained in the Battalion report above dated 21 June 1945. Casualties from the 727th were one man killed in action, Tec/4 John D. Casey, and one man wounded in both legs by small arms fire, Tec/5 Frank J. Miller. Tec/4 Casey was buried in the Labuan War Cemetery later that day.
Company B continued to provide direct support until relieved on 28 June 1945. They loaded on LSTs and departed for Luzon two days later.
NAVAL REPORTS# OF OPERATION OBOE SIX RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, Amphibious Group Six
Report on OBOE SIX, Brunei Bluff-Muara Island Attack Units by Commander, LST Flotilla Fifteen
War Diary, June 1945 - COM LST Flotilla Fifteen
Report on OBOE SIX, White Beach Control by Commander, LCI(L) Flotilla Eight
Report on OBOE SIX - Tactical Command White Beach Assault Unit by Commander, LST Group 43
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-584 (carried 2nd Platoon, Co. A, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-667 (carried 3rd Platoon, Co. A, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-751 (carried 1st Platoon, Co. A, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX, Brown Beach Assault Units (Labuan Island) by Commander, LST Flotilla Twenty-Four
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-585 (carried 2nd Platoon, Maint., Medic. Officer, & C.O., Co. B, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-637 (carried 3rd Platoon &Maint., Co. B, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-640 (carried 1st Platoon, Co. B, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX by Commander, LST-1025 (carried 3rd Platoon, Co. B, 727th Amph Trac Bn)
Report on OBOE SIX and Subsequent Events by Commander, LST Flotilla Twenty-Four
Report on OBOE SIX, Weston Operation by Commander, LSM Flotilla Eight
Report on OBOE SIX, Lutong Operation by Commander, LST-562
Report on OBOE SIX, Lutong Operation by Commander, LST-573
Report on OBOE SIX, Lutong Operation by Commander, LST-667
Report on OBOE SIX, Lutong Operation by Commander, PC-1120
OPERATION OBOE TWO (Balikpapan)
7th Aust Infantry Division - Operation Orders - 9 June 1945 - awm52-1-5-14-74
21st Aust Inf Brigade Operation Order dated 11 June 1945 - Pages 2-19 from AWM52-8-2-21-032
Landing Diagram - Page 96 from AWM52-8-2-21-032
Landing Diagram - 18th Aust Inf Bde Page 46 from AWM52-8-2-18-068
Landing Tables for 21st Aust Inf Brigade dated 15 June 1945 - Pages 98-133 from AWM52-8-2-21-032
Operation Order - 2/27 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 2-37 from AWM52-8-2-21-044
Operation Order - 2/14 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 80-106 from AWM52-8-2-21-044
Operation Order - 2/12 Aust Inf Bn - Pages 107-152 from AWM52-8-2-21-044
Location Statement dtd 10 July 1945 - 7th Aust Inf Div - Pages 37 48 and 53 from awm52-1-5-14-76
7th Aust Infantry Division - Report on Operation - 28 Sept 1945 - awm52-1-5-14-87
Report on Operation OBOE TWO - 727 ATB **
On 1 July 1945, thirty-one LVTs of Company A were used to land the 2/27 Australian Infantry Battlion in the first three waves. Operation Orders stated that these waves were to hit Green Beach at Klandasan, near Balikpapan, Borneo. However, the underwater obstacles were not fully destroyed and our LVTs landed on Yellow Beach to the left of their intended landing. This caused some initial confusion and congestion on the beaches. Owing to the massive naval and aerial bombardment, resistance was light during the highly successful landing, but an enemy sniper killed T/4 Robert P. Ullman. Four other LVTs from Company A comprised the left flank of the second wave that landed onRed Beach (was supposed to be Yellow Beach) with elements of the 2/12 Australian Infantry Battalion aboard. Then in the 18th Wave, sixteen LVTs were each loaded with a 25-Pounder Mark II (field artillery piece) along with members of the 2/4 Australian Field Regiment on Green Beach. After the landing, a platoon of LVTs were assigned to the 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion in support Phase 5 of the initial landing program, which was to exploit the Stalkedo feature.
During the following day, some battalion members decided to make a fire on the beach to prepare some coffee. Unknowingly, an unexploded enemy artillery shell was buried under the sand where the fire was made. A short while later, the shell exploded and sent shrapnel flying that hit T/5 Clayton F. Davis. Company A reverted to the control of 7th Australian Division per operational orders. Our Command Post was harrassed with 10 rounds enemy artillery fire on 3 July 1945.
Company A continued to support the Balikpapan invasion force by transporting artillery pieces, ammunition and supplies by land and by sea to the front lines near Sepinggang Airstrip, Manggar Airstrip and on to Manggar-Ketjil. Each day we would haul thousands of rounds of artillery shells to the front until relieved from duty on 12 July 1945.
The following is excerpted from the Report of Operation OBOE TWO from Headquarters, 7th Australian Infantry Division dated 28 September 1945 (page 34, AWM 52-1-5-14-087):
"AMPHIBIOUS TRACTOR BATTALION (U.S. ARMY)"
"During the operations from FOX to FOX plus 2 Day, LVT proved invaluable in landing the assault waves and in transporting heavy weapons, ammunition, consolidation stores, water, etc to forward troops. Apart from their vulnerabilty, jeeps and trailers in the early stages would have had a limited value due to the steep and sandy terrain behind the beaches."
NAVAL REPORTS# OF OPERATION OBOE TWO RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, Amphibious Group Eight
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, LST Flotilla Twenty-Two
War Diary July 1945 by Commander, LST Group Forty-Four, Flotilla Fifteen
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, Task Unit 78.2.2 (Amphibious Assault Transport)
War Diary June-July 1945 by Commander, LST-457
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, LST-777
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, LCI(R)-230
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, LCI(R)-331
Report on OBOE TWO by Commander, LCI(R)-338
Report on Resupply for OBOE TWO by Commander, LST Flotilla Seven
FINAL MONTHS OF THE WAR
Company B departed from Borneo on 30 June 1945 and arrived at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon on 5 July 1945, the same day our Headquarter and Service Company departed Morotai. The next day, Company B departed San Fabian. On 7 July, Company A received a message from 1st Austraian Corps that our Battalion rear echelon had departed for Luzon. From 17 July to 20 July, Company A LVTs were loaded onto LSTs numbered 666, 753, and 673. The 20th of July also marked the date that the Headquarters and Service Company arrived at San Fernando, Luzon. We also received a radiogram from the Commanding General of the Eighth U.S. Army informing our Battalion at it was being attached to the XIV Corps and was to proceed to Aparri on the northern coast of Luzon to prepare for future operations.
On 21 July, Company A departed from Balikpapan. The next day Headquarters and Service Company arrived at Aparri and made camp at Linao Point near the Linao Lighthouse. On 23 July Company B departed from San Fabian and arrived at Aparri the following day. Finally, Company A arrived at Linao Point, Aparri, Luzon*** on 30 July 1945. This marked the first time tha our entire Battalion had been in one place since it was stationed in New Guinea.
We were being staged for the invasion of Japan's mainland. The initial campaign in the southern islands as scheduled for November 1945. Our Battalion was going to be used in the main assault on Tokyo Bay on the Island of Honshu with at target date of 1 March 1946. Shortly after our arrival at Aparri, two atomic bombs were detonated at two key Japanese military and industrial cities, Horoshima and Nagasaki. This action finally brought the Japanese government to accept the unconditional surrender that was demanded by the Allied Nations. The use of atomic bombs undoubtedly saves the lives of many of Battalion members as well as countless other lives, including civilian and military, for both the Aliies and the Japanese.
After the surrender was announced, our Battalion was assigned to AFWESPAC via Field Operation Order #21, Hq XIV Corpsdated 20 August 1945. The following day the Battalion received verbal orders from the Commanding General of AFWESPAC to assume responsibility for the operation of the Port of Aparri and Port Command. Thirteen LCM were assigned the the Battalion and instruction in their operation was provided by the 544th Engineer Special Brigade. On 27 August 1945, the Battalion assumed command of the Port of Aparri from the 276 Port Company. Many Japanese POWs in various US Naval transported were processed through this Port. It was also used to process units returning to the States and by many ships that needed safe harbour from the frequent typhoons that came through this area.
Gradually (from late July 1945), the men of our Battalion received their orders to return to the States for discharge from the Army. Those that remained continued to operation the Port and take care of the day-to-day routines. On 9 February 1946, the inactivation of our Battalion was completed.
NAVAL REPORTS# OF TRANPORT SHIPS RELATING TO 727TH AMPH TRAC BN WHILE AT APARRI, LUZON, PHILIPPINES
War Diary July 1945 by Commander, LSM-23
War Diary August 1945 by Commander, LSM-217
* This video was made using selected clips from the following public domain films available at the Australian War Memorial website: F01708, F01709, F01724, F01975, F07213, F07224, and F07553. Location slides and caption text was added to highlight the Battalion.
** Documents provided by the family of Norman Ahlstrand: John Ahlstrand, Char Martin, and Sue Gardner.
*** Excerpt from United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Island, Part 1, Luzon, Mindoro, and Visayas First Edition, Department of Commerce, U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, E. Lester Jones, Superintendent. Washington GPO 1919.
# U. S. National Archinves, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, compiled ca. 01/01/1942 - ca. 06/01/1946, documenting the period ca. 09/01/1939 - ca. 05/30/1946. Known as "war diaries," these are daily operational journals created by various naval commands throughout the Navy during WWII.
## Donated by Steven Whaley, whose father served on LST-562 during World War II.
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