December 2002
This is the WWII diary of our Dad, Bill J. Henningsen. He was born January 23, 1925 in Fremont, NE. He died March 27, 1977 in Apple Valley, CA. His "My Life Overseas" diary has been archived by Steve Henningsen, the oldest of his four sons. His other sons are Brad, Todd and Jeff. He was married to our Mom, formerly Anna Lee Long of Blair, NE for thirty- one years.
Text, other than his original words are italicized in parenthesis. I have added punctuation and made spelling changes when the changes aided in the understanding of the diary.
This is the diary of Pfc. Bill J. Henningsen
A.S.N. 37478964
Company "G", 182nd Infantry (Regiment)
(Americal Division, XIV Corp)
A.P.O. 71690 Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
"Diary"
1st ship Col. Squire (USS General George O’Squire)
My Life Overseas
Undated
We got on the boat in Frisco on the 27th of Oct. 1943 but didn’t sail till next day. Met a few boys on the ship I trained with. I sure hated to see that beautiful Golden Gate Bridge go out of sight. The crew had target practice, purty good shots. I met six boys from Omaha; they were sailors, nice guys. One of them had been on the Enterprise and had been in thirteen major battles. Met a sailor from Salt Lake, I hope to see him again. I also met a corporal I took my training under. We passed some islands. I think they were the Christmas Islands. Hot as hell on the ship. Submarine scares.
Nov. 15th 1943
Finally spotted an island. It’s New Caledonia. It looks like a good place. Stayed on the ship all night.
Nov. 16, 1943
We got off the ship early this morning and got on trucks. They took us eighteen miles on the other side of town or the island and talk about dirty, wow! Arrived at the 6th replacement camp. We lived in tents, five men in a tent. They had a big P.X. You could buy almost anything, even fountain cokes, of course they aren’t ice cold but they serve the purpose. This camp also has a purty good swimming hole with two diving boards. Big deal, huh.
Nov 16th, 1943
We made that ride on the other side of island to (be) shipped out. By the way, the people or natives on Caledonia are Javanese, Chinese, Tokenese, Cannibals and the French. The island belongs to the French; they hire these other people to work for them for about five bucks a week.
Nov. 16th, 1943 (cont.)
We boarded the Dutch ship, Nordam (USS Noordam). It looks pretty good. We arrived in the Fiji on Nov. 28, it’s a lot better than New Caledonia not near as good as the U.S.A. It’s not as hilly as mountains as Cal (Caledonia). I went to my company the 30th. I sleep in the same tent as my platoon sergeant. He’s a swell guy. This outfit use to be a National Guard (unit). They’ve been over here two years Jan. 23. They went through Guadalcanal Campaign, tough outfit. It's known as the Americal Division. Our regiment is the oldest one in the U.S. Army. I’ve been made the first scout, looks like I’m going to have a short, rough life and I have a feeling it’s going to be short. We’ve had a rough life
in those hills in the Fiji. What hikes! Were moving off this island in a few weeks but we don’t know where.Nov. 19. (scratched out) Dec. 19th
We moved about three miles from Suva. It’s the largest city in the Fiji and not bad for a place like this island. Some of the boys went to Suva tonight and came back drunk as heck. One of them had about a case of gin (yes, he wrote "a case") and a sailor cap on. They gave me a few drinks.
Nov. 20th
Went (next page torn out, continues on new page)
I had about eight dishes of ice cream in the town today. I haven’t received any mail from home or from Connie. One of the boys came back from town drunk and with a sailor uniform on. Now I’ve seen everything. He also had a case of gin.
Dec. 21st
I heard we were pulling out tomorrow but we still don’t know where to. Went to Suva again with James Edgar we call him "Sgt. York". He’s really a swell guy. I run around with almost all the time or Steve Frazer. Steve is about 6 ft. 1 and weighs about 210 lbs. He’s really built good.
Dec. 22nd
We’re leaving today. The name of the boat is President Hays (President Hayes). Really nice tug. It has seven zeros to it’s credit. They have a nice P.X. We think we’re going to Bougainville, hope not! Spent Christmas day on the boat. Had a nice meal. Passed the New Hebrides. Pulled in the Canal (Guadalcanal?). Had a damn submarine scare. We stayed over night here from Dec. 26th to the 27th. We know we’re going to Bougainville now. Passed (the) Russell Islands, several islands there. Arrived in Bougainville on Dec. 28th. We were expecting trouble but we didn’t. Had about twenty planes for protection. Not many planes up here. The volcano looks mighty beautiful from here but they (say) it’s almost ready to erupt but I hope not until we get off. We unloaded the boat. I guess we’re going to bivwac up road.
Dec. 29, 1943
We had an air raid last night. Several Jap planes were over. Some of the boys say there were twenty-seven. I guess the AA (anti-aircraft artillery)) got one. I also slept in water and the mosquitoes are thick here. We cleaned up the area today we might stay here for awhile. Nothing happened so will close till tomorrow.
Dec. 30, 1943
We had another air raid last night and I also slept in water again last night. This is sure a muddy place. We cleaned up the area again today. Two of us built a bridge today. I called it Blair Bridge.
Dec. 31st, 1943
Another air raid last night and I also slept in water again. I’m use to it now and the Marines say the Jap Kites (Japanese carrier based bomber, allied code named "Kate") come over every night. We had today off.
Jan 1st, 1944
I started the New Year with K.P. and almost got in a fight with a guy. I forgot to say I had a comfortable night in the water again and we had another air raid. I guess were going to the front lines tomorrow.
Jan 2nd, 1944
Another air raid and I slept in the water last night. We marched about nine miles today up toward the lines and bivwaced. This jungle is thicker than hell and really muddy.
Jan 3, 1944
We came up to the lines yesterday. It's not bad up here. We’re on a high hill, its called "Hellsapoppin Hill". The Marines had a hard time getting it. We have a river in front of our lines it’s called the Eagle. Went on the first patrol. The jungle is really thick. We didn’t hit any nips but there are plenty out there.
P.S. Another air raid
Jan. 4, 1944
Just laid around today. Air raid tonight.
Jan. 5, 1944
Volunteered for patrol but didn’t hit any thing. This job as first scout is nerve racking. Air raid again.
Jan. 6, 1944
Got a lot of letters today. I’ve still been sleeping in water but we fixed our hole so I don’t think it will leak.
Jan. 7, 1944
It didn’t leak but we had another air raid. Big item…. made Pfc. (private first class) today. It hasn’t come through for sure but I’m getting Pfc. pay.
Jan. 8, 1944
Nothing happened except another air raid last night.
Jan. 9, 1944
Artillery was practicing this afternoon. A shell fell short and almost got a cpl. (corporal) and myself. Surprise! No air raid last night.
Jan. 10, 1944
Air raid last night. I guess we’re moving off the lines tomorrow. Went on patrol today, just missed the nips.
Jan. 11, 1944
No air raid last night. We have a nice area but it’s going to take but it’s going to take a lot of work to clean it up. And we’re starting this afternoon.
Jan. 12, 1944
Edgar and I slipped off and went down to the CBs (Seabees). He says there’s a guy form Omaha down there and sure enough, his name is Oliver Damon. He use to go to school at Benson. We ate dinner with them. I guess they’re coming up tomorrow. Air raid.
Jan. 13, 1944
We’ve been on a working detail today. The CBs had a heck of a time finding us. Air raid.
Jan. 14, 1944
We had another raid. We went on a patrol today, hit them but didn’t kill any, couldn’t see them. There (they’re) good fighters but can’t shoot so good.
Jan. 15, 1944
CBs came up today but we have to go on the outpost for two days. It’s in front of the lines on Hill 260. Had another air raid last (night).
Jan. 16, 1944
Edgar and I went on a two-man patrol. I’m glad we didn’t hit anything. Had another air raid last night. I thought he was going to strafe us but he didn’t.
Jan. 17, 1944
We came down off the hill this afternoon. We didn’t have an air raid last night.
Jan. 18, 1944
We get to lay around today but I guess we have a long patrol tomorrow. The Lt. (lieutenant) is planning it and also told what’s up. I guess a squad ran into a reinforced Jap battalion and we’re going out to see if their moving in and see if we can find some wounded. I hope lady luck is with me. We also had an air raid, about twelve nips came over (and) threw everything but the kitchen zinc (sink) at us.
Jan. 19, 1944
We started on patrol about five this morning and didn’t get in till about five this morning (evening?). We ran right into the nips front lines. We were lost but we surprised them. They didn’t (know) we were there. One came walking right at me and then another one joined them. They didn’t see us. Finally, they got about fifteen feet from me. The one spotted me and hit the deck. The other one didn’t have a chance to. I shot one, the BAR man put nine slugs in him. Lt. shot once and the sergeant shot him with the shotgun and knocked his head clear off. The other one started to crawl away (and) like a damn fool, I stood up and run about ten steps and shot him twice in the head and killed him. Then I stood there firing at more across the creek. I hit five more and think I killed three of them. I turned around and the squad had run off and left so I took off and caught them about a mile away. I almost run all the way. The first one I got was about 6 ft. 4 in. He was really a big bruiser. The rest were all six ft. or more. The BAR man got credit for one, Bells got credit for one. I killing four and wounding two. Not bad but I hope we never see anymore.
Jan. 20, 1944
The Lt. Col. talked to my squad and really thought we done a swell job until the BAR man spoke up accidentally and said they had run off and left me. Boy, he really ate the Lt.’s ear and said the only thing that was good about the patrol was us killing the Japs and me standing and firing. We were the first squad to draw blood in our company ("G") and the first one in the regiment (182nd) to kill that many without getting one wounded. We had another air raid last night.
Jan. 21, 1944
Had all day today off so went down to see the CBs, Edgar and I. Air raid last night.
Jan. 22, 1944
Steve and I went down to the CBs again. Air raid last night.
Jan. 23, 1944
Hell, today is my birthday and I had to go on a patrol. We hit them but no one got hurt. I came close to getting it. Air raid.
Jan. 24, 1944
I wonder how much longer my luck will hold out. I guess I’m getting a commendation for the patrol on Jan. 19th.
Jan. 25, 1944
We got off today. I guess the whole company is going to be sent on a patrol tomorrow. Air raid.
Jan. 26, 1944
Well, old lady luck finally ran out. I got (it) today just above the kneecap. Steve (Frazer) was about ten feet from me, it lit almost on top of him. It blew both his legs off. And Duffy, his second scout was killed. The kid behind him got his eye put out. What a horrible sight! My God! Steve didn’t live long and it killed poor Duffy outright. I was very lucky it just missed the bone or rather scraped it. Six wounded, two killed by the shell and five wounded from the .25 calibers and one killed. Two sergeants carried me out or I would have never made it. My Lt. was shell shocked very bad.
Jan. 27, 1944
I guess my fighting days are over. The doc said it got leg muscles and nerves but I won’t be crippled.
Jan. 30,1944
We have a hell of a time during an air raid ‘cause the hospital is close to the airport and they try (to take) it out so we have some close ones. There were six over last night.
Jan. 31st, 1944
He took the bandage off today and did it hurt! Wow! The ward boy is swell. He’s short. His name is Solly. Air raid last (night).
Feb. 1st, 1944
Air raid last night. The Capt. (Captain) and two Lt. and the company clerk came down to pay me and brought me a pie.
Feb. 2, 1944
Air raid last night. One of them was close but it was a dud.
Feb. 3, 1944
Edgar and the two CBs came down to see me. No air raid.
Feb. 4, 1944
Air raid but only one plane.
Feb. 5, 1944
Air raid. Six planes.
Feb. 6, 1944
Air raid. About twelve planes.
Feb. 7, 1944
Nothing happened.
Feb. 10, 1944
Grafted skin today. Met a swell guy. He works in the O.R. He’s tech 3rd.
Feb. 15, 1944
No more air raids.
March 1st, 1944
The boys captured a Jap. He said they were going to attack soon.
March 2, 1944
The boys spotted some Jap artillery.
March 3, 1944
The Japs are moving toward the lines.
March 4, 1944
Nothing happened today.
March 5, 1944
Nothing happened today.
March 6th, 1944
Still nothing but our artillery is throwing a lot of lead.
March 7th
The Japs are moving in. We expect trouble soon.
March 8, 1944
They attacked this morning at 6:15. My company had suffered a lot but I don’t know how much, my platoon and weapons were on Hill 260. That’s where they hit.
March 9th, 1944
Wounded are coming in fast. We lost a lot of men.
March 10th, 1944
I finally got out of the hospital. I’m going back up.
March 11th, 1944
I was amo (ammo carrier?) but I’m on (Hill) 260 today.
March 12, 1944
We lost the hill (260) Friday but we have it back now but not all of it. We’ve suffered a lot. I got two more nips. One guy is doing good.
March 13, 1944
My sergeant made it down yesterday. He’s been trapped up on (Hill) 260 for three days.
March 14, 1944
They made me go back to the hospital this afternoon but I got the pleasure of getting another nip. Edgar was killed today. He got it in the head (by a) sniper. First Steve and then him (James Edgar).
March 15, 1944
They put me in the 21st Evacuation (Hospital).
March 16, 1944
They got eight Japs that got through the lines.
March 17, 1944
The Fijians got another Jap last night. Right near the ward I’m in. We had the air raid for (a) long time. He dropped his eggs near the lines. The nips are still attacking a little. When I was there on (Hill) 260, they were
attacking us so fast they were sling arm, not all of them, just some of them. They’re still shelling us and I really mean they’re throwing it. The doc said he was going to evacuate me tomorrow.
March 20th
I came out by plane. It was (a) rough ride. We stopped in Munda. What a swell place and nice airstrip. I’m now in Guadalcanal at the 9th Station Hospital.
March 30, 1944
The doc said I’ll never see combat again. And then he asked me what I wanted to do, so I said drive. He says OK. The ward boy on nights sure is swell. He sure likes Betty’s looks.
March 31, 1944
The ward boy, his name is Blodgeot, brought me four bottles of beer tonight. It’s the first I’ve had for an awful long time.
April 1, 1944
Don bought me one more bottle of beer tonight. He’s a swell guy.
April 2, 1944
I went over to the barracks with Don and Moody tonight and had four more bottles of beer. They want me to try to get in their outfit.
April 3, 1944
They sent me to another outfit, rather hospital and I don’t like it here and told the Captain I wanted out. He said after I rest a little. That’s all I’ve been doing.
April 4, 1944
He gave me some stuff to take so that means I’ll be here quite a while. They get beer here so it won’t be so bad.
April 5, 1944
I went up to the 9th Hospital to see Don B. today. I had dinner there. I had a heck of a time getting back. I went about seven miles out of my way.
April 6, 1944
I finally got a few letters today. I got a ration of beer, six bottles and five bottles of Cleo Cola.
April 7, 1944
Just wrote a few letter and rand three beers. Went to the show, pretty good. Presenting Lila Mars.
April 8, 1944
Just another day. Got a letter from Virginia. She said Dale left March 18th.
April 9th 1944
I went up to the 9th Station Hospital to see Don. I also went to a show up there. Oh yes, I saw a real, white woman.
April 10th 1944
I got a partial pay, $15.00. We also got beer; I got ten and three pops.
April 11, 1944
Went to the show, "Madame Currie" was the name of it. Never got a single letter today.
April 12, 1944
I really hit the jackpot. I got ten letters today. I guess I’ll go to the show tonight.
April 13, 1944
I saw "Edge of Darkness" last night. It was real good.
April 14, 1944
Went up to the 9th Hospital. Coming back I stopped at the service club. They’ve got almost anything but candy.
April 15, 1944
I was on K.P., first time since Jan. 1st. My leg got sore. I know now I won’t be able to do anything for a while. I saw "Phantom at (of) the Opera".
April 16, 1944
Went to the show. It was darn good. "In Old Oklahoma".
April 17, 1944
Went to show again. It was "Dr. Broadway". I’d already seen it.
April 18, 1944
Went to the show tonight. It was darn good but I’d already seen it. It was "Dr. Barry was a Lady".
April 19, 1944
Was on K.P. today. Also went to see a colored orchestra (USO Show?). It was good but they didn’t play enough. Think I’ll go up to the 9th Station (Hospital) tomorrow.
April 20, 1944
Went up to 9th Station Hospital. Met a kid just came across. I took my training with him. He’s going to the 37th Division. His name is Springer.
April 21, 1944
Saw a show tonight. It was two years old. Met another kid, he gave me a pair of moccasins. Nice guy.
April 22, 1944
Went to show but I’d seen it before.
April 23, 1944
Went to the show today, darn good. It rained harder than heck.
April 24, 1944
Went to the show but it rained so (I) came back.
April 25, 1944
Got a ration of beer, nine bottles. Finally got two letters today.
April 26, 1944
Had an operation today. Removed a siss (cyst). It kind a hurts now. Went to show, had six shorts. The show was "Crime Doctor". Not bad but old.
April 27, 1944
We had ice cream last night and chicken for dinner. We’ve had fresh eggs twice. I saw two white women; one a nurse and the other one from the Red Cross.
April 28, 1944
An orchestra played (probably a USO tour) here this afternoon. Pretty good too. Went to show again.
April 29, 1944
Went to show again. Another flag waving picture.
April 30, 1944
Went to show. It rained. Had a(n) operation.
May 1, 1944
Went to show. It rained again.
May 2, 1944
Had another operation. Hell, I feel like a piece (unfinished sentence).
May 3, 1944
Got a beer ration. I got eight bottles and four Pepsi Colas. It rained again.
May 10th 1944
Went to show.
May 11, 1944
Left hospital and went to casual camp.
July 20, 1944
Going to Bougainville again. Boarded ship.
July 23, 1944
Got here and what a hell of a trip. In a new outfit. It’s an AAA (anti aircraft artillery). Have good chow here. This island has sure changed. The boat was the Anntalal (USS Anne Arundel?)
Oct. 11, 1944
We flew down from Bougainville to the New Guinea. We left at 11:15 and arrived at 2:30.
Diary ends with Oct. 11, 1944 entry.