The making of a combat unit: a National Guard Regiment goes to war

Abstract

During World War II, the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) played an important role in the defeat of Japan, but its contribution has not been analyzed in adequate detail. By exploring the experience of one regiment as it learned and adapted over time, this thesis sheds light on how American units prepared for and carried out combat operations in SWPA. It examines the transformation of the 112th Cavalry Regiment from a peacetime National Guard unit to a battle-tested fighting organization. Federalized in 1940 and shipped to the Pacific Theater in 1942, the unit performed garrison duties on New Caledonia until it transferred to SWPA. In June 1943, the dismounted cavalrymen landed unopposed on Woodlark Island, where they gained an appreciation for patrolling, living in the jungle, and constructing fortifications. During these deployments, the regiment experienced low personnel turnover and benefited from a stability that strengthened unit cohesion. The 112th's first combat came in December 1943 at Arawe, New Britain. Since the regiment had a numerical advantage, was well-supplied, and held strong prepared positions, this operation exposed unit shortcomings at limited cost. Nonetheless, the experience spawned adaptation as cavalrymen learned about enemy tactics, the use of firepower, and the effectiveness of their weapons and techniques. The culminating event in the unit's transformation took place on New Guinea's Driniumor River in July 1944. In this extraordinary battle, the regiment showed that it had grasped the complexities of infantry combat. The evolution of the 112th occurred over time as the unit trained, fought, and learned. In battle, troopers adapted to defeat the enemy and to increase their chances of survival. Looking forward to future engagements, the 112th's leaders took the lessons of the combat zone and incorporated them into training. Building on what it had learned, the regiment adopted techniques better suited to fighting in SWPA. Though supported with secondary sources, this thesis is based almost entirely on primary documents, especially records housed in the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, and the recollections of 112th veterans.