<Begin Segment 69>

TI: Well, let's, yeah, let's go on because there's another important battle at Nhpum Ga. So let's go there. So why don't you tell, get us to Nhpum Ga. How did, how did you get there?

RM: Well, let me finish this first. After that, staying on there, then in the evening we find out the enemy troop movement because they pushing too hard and we're there so they decided to withdraw. And then Division (Headquarters) man, give 'em order all the troops to withdraw. That's two regiment come down. So we cannot be standing there to encounter bigger, so we got the order to withdraw.

TI: Okay, so --

RM: And got out of there.

TI: So what you did, you overheard that they were gonna do sort of a major assault on, with reinforcements. When you heard that, that was information that your commanding officer realized that, that your units would be threatened, so he, he had them withdraw to keep them safe.

RM: Well, after darkness, we waited because enemy is still around there, too. But then two regiments fighting the Chinese were gonna withdraw, withdraw. But then, so, we decided to get outta there. But then also, mentioning about they made a bypass there and then, see, instead of going to road because... they're afraid we don't know our, they didn't know our strength, see. But we know they're two, see, we know enemy was two regiments there. But they're not aware we're there, but they find out we're there because the fighting started, and they don't know our strength, maybe division, I don't know, so they might thought. So they gonna, whole thing gonna come there but we know their size and we know our size, so we had to wait until darkness, move. But they're then, so move, but then I, until, well, withdraw, I was up in the tree. Then now decided use, instead of coming through the road, come to the river, then bypass, see. We already know, just like we just participate in their plans same way, without looking at, just hearing to find out where they're gonna go. So, we're safe.

TI: So --

RM: So that's save our unit because that's what they thought.

TI: So, although you were much smaller, they had the advantage of size, you had the advantage of information that you knew through intercepting their communication, the size as well as their plans, what they were planning to and when. And that allowed you, even though you were smaller, to outmaneuver them and save a lot of American lives.

RM: That's why, at least, well, we didn't lose any because no fighting, we withdrew to Wesu Ga. Then that's why we been fighting for thirty-six hours in, nothing eat, see, only thing we had is the K-ration but all use up and so we had a air drop at Wesu Ga next day. But nighttime they gonna go through there, but fortunately, they didn't come where we were. They use the bypass when they ordered, see. But, I mean, if they come through there we been all wiped out.

TI: So, again, this is an excellent example of sort of the value of the intelligence information.

RM: Yeah, that's why they then find out how important they are. So then everybody, well, get excited and so we been pretty well-treated. Everybody talked nice to other Nisei, different unit, too. Word spread right away because we're saved. Then look like I save it, but people talk about...

TI: So this is important. So you really felt at this moment a shift in how the Caucasian soldiers treated you and the other Niseis because of this?

RM: Yeah, well, first one started was Hank Gosho because they're fighting there then every time they give 'em a order which way to go, then tell 'em translate and tell 'em they told you what, they said what happened next, so in other words, on-the-spot translation. You don't have to write down anything, it's a verbal order you could give 'em exactly what it said and translate, see, so that's why the, this gentleman, Colonel Logan Weston, he was the boss Sergeant Gosho was attached to, but he received half a dozen Distinguished Service Cross on account. So he did a lot of things to save other troops. Of course, he got some in Vietnam and Korea, too. But he was awarded distinguished so...

TI: Okay, good. Let's --

RM: So that's on account of Hank, Sergeant Gosho doin' that. But they give me credit. You know, restore of Walawbum roadblock.

TI: Okay.

RM: So then people hear that, so they tell my, "He save our lives," and no, I mean, we survived, but that was at the Walawbum. But then later on we be surrounded at a hilltop called Nhpum Ga. And that's about one month later. This happened Walawbum roadblock incident is March 5, '44. Then about a month later, and sixth or seventh of April, see, this thing took place. But we been in there since March 27th, 28th we went to Nhpum Ga, then we been surrounded. What happened was, actually our intention was, there was a road the Japanese made and they withdrew already to place called Kamaing and some troop were at Inkangahtawng. Then our scout reported enemy were there. So we were gonna fight but we, 3rd Battalion and 2nd Battalion went through Nhpum Ga, Kauri, Auche, then Inkangahtawng. And that's end of the jungle in the open field there. There's a road there. Then all of a sudden they open up with artillery and mortar, then the unit was much bigger than we expected. So then we cannot stand it so we're gonna be wiped out. So withdraw order.

<End Segment 69> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.