On December 26, 1943 in WWII Pacific, our grandfather, General Rupertus and the 1st Marine Division landed on Cape Gloucester as part of the wider Pacific plan called Operation Cartwheel. This was a joint operation with the Army to drive the Japanese out of New Britain.
For this operation, the 1st Marine Division and Army were under the overall command of General MacArthur.
General Rupertus on deck viewing the naval bombardment.
The Natives warned the Marine planners it would be the rainy season with a potential monsoon. But, the Marines had no time to wait for better weather, as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, particularly Admiral King, wanted a full press forward.
Though the enemy’s organized resistance ended on January 16, the Marines continued to work to clear the island of the enemy until they could be relieved by the Army in April, 1944.
The Improvised Air Force
It was indeed wet … a slog.
To get supplies to his troops navigating the swamped inland, Rupertus could not rely on trucks or the heavy bombers.
So, General Rupertus started the Improvised Air Force with twelve Piper Cubs he obtained from the Army to assist the Marines in this tough terrain.
He directed his personal pilot, Captain Theodore A. Petras, and pilot First Lieutenant R. F. Murphy to organize a small aviation unit from Marines volunteers. They had to quickly vet the Marines to train them how to fly a plane!
This is fascinating and fun history many do not know … and certainly was not in the Pacific series.
However, this Improvised Air Force provided essential medical supplies, plasma, rations, and did artillery and reconnaissance spotting, and messages delivery.
Our grandfather appreciated this little air force and made sure the Marine volunteer aviators (who he said were like his children) received an Air Medal for the contribution.
Here is a short video of the naval bombardment, the Marines landing and wading through the jungle. You can see our grandfather on deck of the ship as the naval bombardment began. And, we only have a newspaper photo of him cooling his feet in the mud. You can actually see him doing it in this video and …laughing at himself.
US Marines Take Cape Gloucester: https://youtu.be/VxlDQYFUbSA?si=jVDoQLfQtUoBC0Z6
The Sun comes out on Cape Gloucester
See this video of the sun coming out on Cape Gloucester! It shows the first plane (our grandfather’s) landing on the newly rebuilt airfield an Army engineering battalion built.
Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC Commander of the 1st Marine Division watches as the first plane lands on airstrip #1 of the recently captured and rebuilt Cape Gloucester airdrome and greets the crew with many spectators.
The plane is a Beechcraft UC-45J, designated with the Guadalcanal 1st Marine Division emblem and named “Sleepy” after General Rupertus’ wife. Rupertus congratulates his pilot, Captain Theodore Petras on the landing. Troops enjoy the moment and take turns inspecting the plane.
This video is courtesy of the History Division of the United States Marine Corps. Other amazing films from the USMC History Division can be viewed at the United States Marine Corps Film Repository, a partnership between the History Division and the University of South Carolina.
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/university_libraries/browse/mirc/collections/united_states_marine_corps_film_repo.php
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