"1k difficulty in landing but by the time the third wave ar-
 rived a channel of solid ground had been found and
 two of the sections came ashore with ease.
 No enemy opposition was encountered during the land-
 ing -Practically the entire day was spent in extricating
 the bogged down equipment. By nightfall all equipment
 except three tractors were ashore; a landing strip for the
 liaison planes had been constructed and planes had flown
 from it to fire direct support missions and make long
 range reconnaissance of areas under enemy control; and
 the battalion was in position on PITOE Airdrome pre-
 pared to accept missions from the infantry and also able
 to fire seaward in case of counterinvasion.
 -. On D+l, September 16 the first enemy opposition from
 Sthe air appeared. A single plane dropped one bomb in the
.' bay. These nuisance raids continued daily for some time.
 The infantry experienced practically no opposition and
 rapidly advanced to secure all objectives. On September 18
 the battalion moved to new positions in a banana grove
 several miles inland from the beach where it remained
 During its entire stay on MOROTA. On September 29,
 C Battery moved into advanced position to support the
 3rd Battalion of the 155th Infantry in a reconnaissance in
 .- force up the PILOWO RIVER to destroy an estimated
 '. enemy force of 150 Japs and 150 armed Chinese coolies
 in their service. The liaison plane assisted greatly in this
 S -. operation and 830 rounds were expended in supporting
 the infantry. 2472 rounds were expended by the Battalion
 up to October 4.
 From this time on the infantry continued to man the
 __~" defensive perimeter which had been established to pro-
 .tect the large air force installations which had been con-
 structed by our forces and the battalion remained in di-
 rect support of the perimeter and of patrol actions by the
 infantry. Forward observer parties and Liaison planes
 accompanied all patrols and gave artillery support when
 needed. Jap bombing, raids continued to be almost a
 nightly occurrence up until January 1, 1945 and bombs
 I. dropped near the battalion area on several occasions. On
 the night of November 24 one bomb dropped in C Battery
 area. Four men were wounded by bomb fragments; one
 peep was set on fire, other vehicles and trailers were dam-
 aged, kitchen units were damaged and six tents were
 blown down. Although a large fire was started by burning
 gasoline, it was quickly extinguished with dynamite and
 bulldozers.
 In May 1945 it was learned that the Division would
 participate in the MINDANAO Campaign and all activities
 were directed toward preparation for this operation.
 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
 The 31st Infantry Division reinforced was to move in
 two echelons to the previously secured PARANG area
 prepared for offensive action. The first echelon to arrive in
 the objective area on R+5. R-Day was April 17, 1945.
 The 116th Field Artillery was attached to the 155th In-
 fantry.
 Enemy forces were estimated at 35,000-40,000 of which
 -' j approximately 30,000 had been identified. Of those identi-
 fled 19,000 were with combat or base defense units and
 11,000 with service units. The major combat units identi-
 fied were the 100th Division and parts of the 30th Division.
 Existing elements of the 30th Division were believed to
 be in the KABACAN-OMINAY-DIGOS area.
 On April 17, 1945 equipment and vehicles of Headquar-


 Left, reading from top to bottom: General MacArthur ob-
 serves operations of battalion in Morotai landing. T/3 air-
 craft mechanic-and artillery liaison plane. Artillery tractor
 coming ashore on Red Beach. T/5 John Romano and
 T/5 John Flannery, signal operators.