General Krueger Called 108th's Accomplishments "Incredible!"

LUZON -- 16 Feb. 1 May 1945 -- There was no easy route to Baguio; it was uphill over the mountains all the way and we brought our roads with us.

The Northern Luzon campaign was to a major degree a story of supply and of the men who furnished the roads and bridges for that supply. We were reminded again of that task when returning to Luzon in 1985 and traveling over the winding, climbing, precipitous route to Baguio. (You'll observe we DIDN'T say "highway.")

Members of B/108th Engineers replace a bridge on the route to Baguio in 1945. Photo: Robert Christiansen.

Viewing a stretch of the road which the 108th Engineers built on Hill 3000, northeast of Pugo, General W.J. Krueger, who commanded the Sixth Army, summed it up in one word: "Incredible!"

A reminder of the tasks performed by the 108th is in order: they repaired damaged roads and bridges; they operated gravel pits and stone crushers; they performed the preliminary reconnaissance for all operations which included securing and compiling information on bridges, roads, terrain and ascertained the construction materials available beyond our lines.

As if that wasn't enough, they sent engineer detachments with many infantry patrols deep into enemy held territory, operated water points, built Cub strips in forward areas for the artillery liaison planes, removed enemy mine fields and demolition charges, as well as built coffins and traffic control signs.

Despite the listing of the 108th's many tasks, it is likely that we've even left out other of their accomplishments.

And, they also fought.

On April 2, the enemy's engineers were observed working feverishly planting a minefield to block our advance on Kennon Road near Camp 3. The 108th was called up to clear it.

The road had been mined at a curve where a sheer cliff rose on one side and dropped straight down 50 feet to the river on the other. After planting the mines the Japanese concealed their riflemen to zero-in on the spot -- our first experience in the campaign where they would defend a minefield by fire. Since the closest Infantry outfits were engaged with some by-passed enemy, it would mean a delay of at least 12 hours until these Sons of Nippon and their minefield could be dealt with. So the engineers moved in at once.

Initially forced back by the enemy's withering fire, more engineer riflemen were added to cover the detail and with the aid of a captured knee-mortar the enemy was held at bay while another group removed the mines.

The tally was 46 Type 93 landmines and over 100 pounds of RDX. The 108th's action here prevented the destruction of a critical stretch of road, allowing the attack to continue on schedule the following day.

Their first major road construction task was in support of the 130th Infantry in the battle for Question Mark Hill, northeast of Sison. The crest of Question Mark had been wrested from the enemy but the precipitous and slippery slopes made it next to impossible to supply the troops.

Company B of the 108th was dispatched to construct a winding road up and over the steep slope from Sison to Question Mark, a distance of 4 miles. Within 18 hours, most of it while under enemy fire, two D-6 and four D-7 dozers completed the road which rose as much as 900 feet in elevation and with grades as high as 30 percent. Thus, re-supplied the 130th held its gains and continued the attack.

In the March 4 operation just east of Agoo the engineers cleared three minefields which contained thirty-seven 155-mm shells (American made --1935), Next, while under intermittent enemy fire, work began on the two major bridges in the vicinity. During this 3-day period 930-lineal feet of bridge was reconstructed and a 50-foot single-span Bailey Bridge was placed into position, allowing motorized infantry to race across and to attack Pugo on schedule.

To secure intact the two concrete and steel bridges spanning the Bauang River the infantry forded the river below the bridges to attack the town of Bauang from the west. At the same time the engineers advanced to the bridges and one detail removed approximately 400 pounds of explosives from the stringers of the south span while a second detail located and removed the last of two 100kilogram bombs from the north span.

The task on the north span was barely done when enemy machine-guns and riflemen opened up at close range on the second detail. One engineer was killed but an engineer platoon that already was in position repulsed the enemy and the two steel and concrete bridges of over 1,000 feet were secured undamaged.

Al Loro 108/B recalled this operation (June 1988 Newsletter) and also told of surprising about 30 Japanese bathing a little further on upstream and showering them with fire from tanks and jeeps to complete that particular mission of reaching the river or engaging the enemy.

The measure of courageous service rendered by the men of the 108th Engineer Battalion was reflected by the awards and decorations they received in the 75-day campaign. One DSC, six Silver Stars for gallantry in action, nine Bronze Stars for heroism in action, and 26 Bronze Stars for meritorious achievement in direct support of military operations were awarded.

In the words of Colonel Frank J. Sackton, who recorded many of the accomplishments of the 108th Engineers, "...the true measure of this service may better be found in the magnificent respect and admiration the infantryman had for the combat engineer."

(Thanks to Al Loro and Robert Christensen, both Company B of the 108th, and others who contributed to this story.)

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