During the predawn darkness dark shadows, caused by the illumination by the slowly falling star shells appeared to be moving and at times some things were actually moving. Hand grenades were thrown at some shadowy movements. Even though artillery continued through the darkness we were listening for other sounds, tanks and snapping of twigs, whether real or imaginary, grenades were thrown from various foxholes but we did not fire our rifles which would have identified our positions for counter fire. As daylight began to lighten the area, trees and other unidentifiable objects gradually began to emerge. We were told that some pigs and piglets had been the source of some of the shadowy visions and noise that night and in the light of day, laid dead before our lines. Some of the shadowy figures were the enemy, however in my field of vision no Japanese came near my foxhole.

Throughout most of the day, our squad remained in the general area we had held during the night. Artillery continued to harass us while we checked out our gear and received rations, water, briefings etc. Sometime during the day we did move inland a short distance and set up our 2nd defensive position, still considerably short of the O1 ridgeline, dug new foxholes, usually large enough for 2 Marines. My foxhole partner as before was Dan Pedroza, Asst BAR.

I’m quite sure this was the day, that Colonel Carlson, of Marine Raider fame, came ashore and visited the front line near our position. He was wearing a clean, pressed khaki uniform and his gold officer’s eagles while all other Marines, officers and enlisted, wore dungarees with no sign of rank showing. We were uncomfortable to have him parading among us, and were sure he would be targeted by an enemy sniper or artillery and pleased when he strolled away. It was reported that he was indeed hit while on Saipan but not while he was in our presence.

As daylight began to fade our artillery began to dominate the sounds of incoming shells over the lessening of Japanese incoming projectiles. (When artillery shells pass over head its easy to distinguish whether the shells are coming from in front and passing to the rear or whether the sounds came behind and heading for the enemy. However when the shells are exploding near, you really cannot tell where they came from unless you happen to see the flash of the artillery piece that is firing.)

Before darkness set in the password for the night was passed out to everyone. If any person approached, in the dark and was not recognized as someone we knew or failed to give the proper password after being challenged with “Who goes there?” then we were authorized to take appropriate action.

Use of the latrine after dark was not advised and for our own security we were to remain in our foxhole, refrain from talking, lighting a cigarette; unnecessary standing or walking about. To do otherwise was putting yourself and your foxhole mate at risk of being shot by friend or foe.

Dan and I had meaningful conversations before dark about our families, about our fears of what the morrow might bring. It was during this discussion that we opened our hearts, hopes and fears to each other. Dan shared with me a letter from his wife and told me about his child that was born since we left the States.

As darkness neared, trip wires with grenades attached were set out ahead of our position. At no time did I personally take part in setting up these booby traps. My job for night defense was to set a field of fire to cover a certain area should the enemy attack during the night. A trip wire when stepped on or dragged by man or beast causes the grenades to explode. On this night a cow or water buffalo was killed wandering into a trip wire. Once a trip wire grenade has exploded during the night it will not be replaced so there is the possibility for the enemy to come safely through the line at that point, if observed by or instigated by the enemy. Such explosions could be an invitation to the enemy to attempt to penetrate our perimeter at that point. To discourage the enemy from attempting to find such an opening, a parallel set of trip wires is sometimes set. Setting up trip wires was not done on a regular schedule – only when there was a strong indication that the enemy may try to infiltrate our position or get into a CP or ammo dump.

Dan and I took our turns at watch and I don’t recall that either of us was bothered by land crabs as we had been the night before.