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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:30:59 GMT -5
This is courtesy of Sam Cox, a historian and reenactor from Down Under with special interest in cavalry units. Thanks Sam! Here is his MSN group: groups.msn.com/LifeatRiley
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:31:34 GMT -5
This is from the Nov/Dec 1945 issue of the cavalry Journal Brief Regimental History oif the 26th Cavalry World War 2- Bataan From the diaries of Major H J Fleeger
Editors note: The following acount ofof the actions of the 26th cavalry was taken from the diary of the late Lt Colonel Fleeger.We are gratefull to his wife,Ms Louise M Fleeger,who so kindly gave us permission to print it.
This acount was written from memory while the author was in prison capms.All regimental records were lost,destroyed,or captured during the campaigns.He was later killed in action when the Japanese prison ship on which he was being transferred to another prison,was torpedoed.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:31:50 GMT -5
December 8,1941 Fort Stotsenberg P.I 26th Cavalry Less troops G and F) was in garrison.Troop F on D.S Nicols Field,Rizal,P.I,Troops B and C on a recon mission to Baler and Dingalan Bays,Troop G rejoined regiment on withdrawal into Bataan. 6.00 AM Radio reported Pearl harbour bombed.9.00 AM Regiment ( less troops F and G ) and rear echelon Regimental HQmoved to previously selected concealed bivouac area about 2 Kilometres north of Stotsenberh along the Bamban river.Troop F was directed by radio to march at once to Fort Stotsenberg. Dec 8-12 Troop F rejoined.Regiment attached to North Luzon Force and held in reserve. December 9/10 2d Squadron ( less Troop C ) with one platoon tanks,one battery SPM and one section scout cars- all comanded byMajor Trapnell-moved to Cabiao,east of Mount Arayat.Mission-to find and destroy large enemy large enemy parachute force reported by civilians near Cabiao. No enemy encountered.First Squadron established counterrecon screen from Mabalacat to Angeles inclusive.No enemy encountered.Both Squadrons ordered to return to Stotsenberg and to concealed bivouac in Baluca village area.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:41:54 GMT -5
December 11.Regimental area on post heavily bombed.Casualties- 2 EM killed and about 40 animals dead or wounded at shoeing shops.2 sections scout cars,commanded by Lt Cunningham,with extra ammunition,dispatched to cagayan Valley,to be attached to Infantry force operating there. Departure effected during bombing at Regimental area..About Decemeber 12,regiment less detachments moved to Pampang to avoid daily heavy bombings at Stotsenberg. December 13. Marched to Bamban and joined Nth Luzon Force HQ under General Wainwright. December 14 Shoeing and preparing to march Nth. December 15 Marched to Gerona. December 16 Marched to Rosales.Enemy information still meager.Landings reported at Vigan and Apari. December 17-19 Bivouac at Rosales December 20 Troop C dismounted and sent by bus to Bontoc, Mt Province,to prevent enemy from occupying Bontoc area ( Troop C never rejoined and its operations will have to be reported seperately from Capt Praeger,Troop CO) December 21 Marched to Pozorrubio in position of readiness and attached to 11th Division.General Brougher commanding.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:42:52 GMT -5
December 22. Regiment( less detachments ) ordered by C.O 11th Division to march on Damortis in order to prevent enemy advance south of the line Damortis-Camp one ( Initially regiment had been ordered to Rosario in position of readiness and had marched at 03.00AM ) Information indicated enemy landings in strength in Agoo areanorth of damortis.During the morning of the 22nd,attached to 71st Division,Gen Salleck CO and given mission outlined above.In addition ,directed to cover right flank of Nth Luzon Forces.Contact established at Damortis and scout car section with enemy tanks,infantry and bicycles,entered damortis from Agoo.About 75 transports were unloading troops.The resulting battle of Damortis was first major engagement of the battle for Lingayen Bay.
Regiment delayed astride the main road and during the day was forced back to position about 3 KM west of Rosario. At 5.30 PM Regiment was ordered to withdraw to Bued river line, and occupy position near Agat>enemy attack was launched as the Regiment started its withdrawl-and right flank was envelpoed by 2 companies of enemy infantry. A sharp tank attack also developed along the main road at about 8.00 PM. Troop F had been holding enemy advance along trails from the north with dificulty and now had to act as rear guard. The Regiment,Troop F and elements of the enemy attack all arrived at Rosario at about the same time.Considerable confusuion resultedTroop F in position at the barrio,holding enemy attackers from the north just clear of the regimental column as it withdrew,while every effort was made to expediate the withdrawl.Major Trapnell,Lt Wheeler and Lt Mickleson,held and destroyed by burning ,the bridge one kilometer west of Rosario.All earned DSC The rear guard was under fire fire of enemy enveloping forces and tanks throughout,but the withdrawl ,more or less piecemeal to Bued River line was completed by midnight ( 175 men reached Bued ).This was the 1st regimental experience against enemy infantry,tanks and divebombers.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:43:18 GMT -5
December 23rd Regiment in hastily occupied position at Agat held the river crossing and kept the old road to Baguio open for withdrawl of Baguio troops. Some units of the 71st Div joined during night of Dec 22/23 but did not occupy position and were gone by AM Dec 23 Regiment was ordered to cover withdrawl of remainder 71st Div and did sountil 9.00 AM, when ordered to Pozorrubio to reorg.Withdrawl was made through 71st Div lines at Sison. Baguio troops did not withdraw via route # 3.At this time 2 sections of scout cars,1st Lt Charles R Bowers commanding ( killed 24th dec )covered the roads and trails north and east of Pozorrubio.At dark,Dec 23 the Regiment was again ordered to withdraw to Binaloan at about 1 AM.Without food or rest since before Damortis action.Bivouac in southern area of barrio,div HQ 71st Div at town plaza.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:43:55 GMT -5
December 24 At 5.00 AM regimental outpost was driven in by Japanese tanks advancing down route # 3.Hsty defences were organised at Regimental bivouac and attack of enemy infantry and tanks through Binalonan was held.At 7.00 AM,regiment learned that all troops and 81st Dicv CP had withdrawn during the night.Regiment was unable to break of engagement until early afternoon,during which time enemy was denied the barrio and routes east thereof towards Tayug.However enemy tanks did bypass Binalonan on route # 3 and advanced as far sout as Urdanetta.During the afternoon a withdrawl was effected,covered by Troop F and one section scout cars,east to Tayug. The Regiment assemble at tayug and was again placed in 71st Div reserve.71st Div then withdrew to Umingan while the 26th Cavalry held the river crossing of Tayug.This action continued under heavy shellfire and enemy infantry attack until 2.30 AM Dec 26,when the regiment was ordered to withdraw to Umingan, and executed a model withdrawl,destroying 7 bridges en route and suffering only 2 casualties in breaking contact.The regiment was agin placed in 71st Div reserve and arrived exhausted,hungry and considerably depleted,all records were lost but battle casualties from damortis to include Tayug were estimated at roughly 1 third of effective regimental strength in Officers,enlisted men,animals and equipment,killed,wounded or missing in action.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:44:18 GMT -5
December 26 Regiment was ordered to Mexico for reorg and rest.Marched night of Decemebr 26 about 25 miles to Munos and bivouaced.Still in front of Div lines. December 27 Ordered and marched to San Isidro about 25 miles-also still in front of the Division front lines.The division withdrawl by bus was so rapid as to leave the 26th Cavalry behind. December 28 Regiment was ordered and marched to Mexico,finally behind our own lines.Troop G rejoined,relieved of its mission of maintaining observation at Baler and Dingalen Bay. December 29 Reorg interrupted and regiment ordered and marched to Porac,and place in Nth Luzon Force reserve. December 30 Moved to san Jose and attached to 21st Div,General Campinpin commanding.Remained at san Jose coverig left flank of 21st Div until January 3-only patrol activity. January 4 Division moved to river linethrough Dampe covered by 26th cavalry Regiment (note:it was on march to Porac 30 miles-cold rain-that i made the trip in recon car to Stotsenberg to destro all secret maps) January 5 11th and 21st Divisions,allreadfy preceeded by all other Luzon forces,withdrew into Bataan,a well timed force withdrawl through the bottleneck at Layoc Junction bridge.26th Cavalry covered and was last element to cross before bridge was blown.Our troops occupied first delaying position through Kulis.26th Cavalry arrived at Kulis at about 1.00 AM,January 6 and moved at once to concealed bivouac on left flank of 31st U.S Army,left unit of holding troops on the Kulis position. Regiment suffered heavily all day under air directed artillery bombardment,about 25 animal casualties.Recon by patrol and staff continued during day to left flank and front and late P.M, regiment moved to bivouac area about 2 KM west.During night contact with left flank 31st Infantry was lost because 71st Infantry fired on our patrols and prevented contact. January 7 At 2.30 AM encoded radio message was recieved from CO 31st Infantry which could not be decoded because code key had been changed January 6 and 26th cavalry not informed of change.Patrol reports iminent withdrwal of 31st Infantry.The scout car section was sent out by the only available motor route,tht throught the position of the 31st Infantry.At 4.30 AM section was ambushed with losses of 3 of the 4 cards and all regimental codes and diary,etc.Also Standards and Colours Regiment was out of all contact with any friendly forces and behind enemy lines with no apparent exit.Regiment marched more or lkess continuously over very rugged mountain terrain,scorching all trails- without food or forage,to arrive on left flank of Abucuy position noon January 10.Regimental S4 arrived in the afternoon with food and forage.Regiment was badly exhausted.All animals very weary and in need of shoeing.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 14, 2006 17:44:49 GMT -5
January 11-12 Regiment marcged to bivouac at Bagac in 1st Philippine Corps reserve.The Regiment remained at Bagac about 2 weeks.From this bivouac normal reserve functions were performed.These included a counterattack at Muron by Troop E, and one at KN post 168 by Troop G,both aginst enemy troops which had infiltrated through lines of 1st Philippine Div ( eventually surrounded and forced to withdraw).Casualties were suffered in both engagements including 1st Lt Ethan R Cunningham and Clifford Hardwicke Jr,Killed.
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 23, 2006 14:39:47 GMT -5
Lieutenant Arthur Kendal Whitehead
26th Cavalry Fort Riley, Kansas from the Author's book "Odyssey of a Philippine Scout"
retired Col. Edwin Ramsey at the
26th Cavalry memorial Fort Stotsenberg, Clark Field (AFB) , Philippines
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 23, 2006 14:50:49 GMT -5
moved
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Carlos
History Student
A Subic Bay Sailor served, visiting, living and exploring in Subic Bay and other places
Posts: 55
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Post by Carlos on Dec 30, 2006 3:05:25 GMT -5
This in regards the entry for 11 to 12 Jan 1942 and the counter attack in Muron. A very SIGNIFICANT event, carried out by the 26th Cav,took place in that location. It was the "Last Mounted Cavalry Charge" by the US Army, the 26th Cavalry (PS). Let me first clarify that the name of that place is 'Morong', at least, it is so today. This is one of my many hiking places in Central Luzon, and I know the area well. A good friend of mine, Kevin Hamdorf, is a professional photographer , working out of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, recently presented an article,with his pictures, about the ‘Last US Cavalry (PS) Mounted Charge in 1942 in Morong, Bataan. He done it in his very glossy, high class, magazine. Right now I’m in Oahu and can’t recall the date, the number or name of that magazine. I do remember, that the charge was led by ,then Lt Ramsey, US Army, and that he was able to have an interview with him very recently. Only on 13th Oct 2006, Kevin, and Spike Nasmyth visited the Honorable Major of Morong at his office and presented the idea of making a memorial plaque to be mounted at or near the church, to remember this notable historical event in his town. He agreed to that would be a good idea. Kevin and Spike promised to try to get all the names of the Philippine Scouts involved and get back to him. Spike and Kevin are working on other historical projects together. Spike Nasmyth is a retired US Air Force Officer, who was held as a prisoner in “Hanoi Hilton”. My involvement is, that I’m a knowledgeable hiker in this province and was invited to come along. Only the aerial pictures are from Kevin Hamdorf and were shot on 29th Jan 2006. The picture of Kevin,Spike and the Major were shot by me on 13th Oct 2006. The other pictures of Morong are also from me and were shot on 29th July 2006. Here are the images I put together. s74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/PI-Sailor/Images%20to%20be%20linked/Link%20subalbum%20No%201/Last%20Cavalry%20Charge/Meanwhile I learned that one can find out a lot on the internet about this event, just ask Google for: a) The last cavalry charge, Morong. b) Last cavalry charge, Lt Ramsey c) Spike Nasmyth, POW d) Kevin Hamdorf
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Post by legionnaire on Dec 30, 2006 12:25:35 GMT -5
Great areial photos and the ground level view of the church! WOW thanks for showing Carlos! Was always facinated by this event. In the 1st pic in the photo bucket, showing the facade of the church. There is a rectangular board mounted above the church entrance step. Do you have any info on what is printed on it? It is way overdue for an accurate film version of this story made and told to the American and Filipino audience! Philip
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Post by VeeVee on Dec 30, 2006 14:58:51 GMT -5
I posted this under the book section but deserves a spot here as well: I read the account of the engagement and looked up satellite images of Morong, Bataan. I tried to picture and trace the flow of the skirmish based on the descriptions and came up with this. The blue arrows are how I understand the direction of the Lt. Ramsey's attack went. ---------------- (Excerpt from Lt. Ramsey's War book)"There were three trails branching left off the road through Morong toward the sea. I signaled column left at the middle one, deployed the platoon in column of squads of eight men each, and gave the command to raise pistols. We watched as the point riders entered the town. There was silence as they made their way among the thatched huts. I ordered the troop forward. Morong looked deserted. The huts stood empty on their bamboo stilts, the pens beneath them long stripped of livestock by the retreating Allied army. The village center was the Catholic church, its only stone structure, and it too was closed up against the advancing Japanese. Beyond lay thick groves of coconut palms inclining through a swamp toward the sea, while to our right crossed by a single wooden bridge, was the narrow Batalan river, the line that Wainwright wanted to occupy. We moved carefully toward the village center, the horses maneuvering head-high among the woven huts, the men alert for movement. I watched the point guard turn in at the church square and disappear from sight, and then there was an explosion. Rifles and automatic weapons burst out from the center and northern end of the village, echoing among the huts and sendingjungle birds screaming.In a moment the point men came galloping back, one of the privates streaming blood across his horse's neck and flanks. An advance guard of the Japanese army had crossed the river and was passing near the church just as we had entered the village from the side. Now I could see scores of Japanese infantry in brown fatigues firing from the village center, and behind them hundreds more wading the river and crowding toward the Batalan bridge. In a few minutes more, the main body would be flooding across to seize Morong. Over the rattling of gunfire, I ordered my troopers to deploy as foragers, and raised my pistol. A charge would be our only hope to break up the body of Japanese troops and to survive against their superior numbers.For centuries the shock of a mounted charge had proved irresistible; now the circumstances and all my training made it instinctual. I brought my arm down and yelled to my men to charge. Bent nearly prone across the horses' necks, we flung ourselves at the Japanese advance, pistols firing full into their startled faces. A few returned our fire, butmost fled in confusion, some wading back into the river, others running madly for the swamps... The charge broke clear through the advance unit and carried on to the swamp, where we dismounted and grabbed our rifles from the scabbards. I threw out a skirmish line of one squad along the river to keep the main column from crossing and led the rest back into Morong to search for snipers." ----------------------------- And here is Col. Ramsey's comment as posted by Philip: Philip; I'm still alive and kicking. As for your question,The trails and the Charge ran generally West toward the Ocean, to what was then a swamp which has now been cleaned out and shown as a small tributary running into or from the river. Nothing looks the same now as it was then. The last time I saw Morong was in 1990 and nothing looked the same, even then. Regards, Edwin P. Ramsey Sent him the link to the satellite photos of morong.
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Post by VeeVee on Dec 30, 2006 15:06:00 GMT -5
Great pictures Carlos, thanks! I didn't know it's that close to Fort Wint. They never should have abandoned Fort Wint without firing a shot back in 1941.
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Carlos
History Student
A Subic Bay Sailor served, visiting, living and exploring in Subic Bay and other places
Posts: 55
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Post by Carlos on Dec 30, 2006 23:56:18 GMT -5
Responding to reply # 13 Philip, I don't remember clearly what was on it; it was religious and had something to do with parish but nothing historical. Carlos
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Post by legionnaire on Dec 31, 2006 2:58:11 GMT -5
Thanks Carlos, I was wondering if the display board had something showing the town's historic significance to the charge and battle.. Just wishful thinking. ;D
Philip
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Post by armyjunk on Jan 18, 2007 12:37:53 GMT -5
Hello everyone here is a link to pictures I posted of Cavalry Equipment I posted at another site.......I have a hundred or so of these and if I wasn't so lazy I post more...maybe that will be a winter project, please use this link if you would like to see more www.militariacollecting.com/index.php?showtopic=31859&hl=If this doesn't work Email me......
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Post by VeeVee on Jan 18, 2007 22:59:32 GMT -5
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Post by legionnaire on Jan 19, 2007 11:17:31 GMT -5
Great web forum Armyjunk! Thanks for showing. Philip
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