This page has been developed as an introduction to the service record of the 3rd ESB which served in the southwest Pacific during World War II.

Members of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade are invited to join with the 543rd EBSR 2008 Reunion"

The 543rd EBSR has invited the 533rd EBSR, 593rd EBSR and all others of the 3rd ESB and Army Amphibians to join them for a combined reunion that will be held June 23-26,2008 at the Drawbridge Inn, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. It is located on I-71/I-75 right across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. It is also within a few miles of the Cincinnati Airport and the hotel offers courtesy transportation to and from the airport. Plan to arrive sometime Monday June 23rd and check out Thursday June 26th, unless you wish to extend your vacation.
RESERVATIONS - You can contact the hotel directly at 1 (800) 354-9793 to make reservations. Mention the 543rd Engineers as your reservation group so they can keep us all together. Ask for Chris Best (the hotel's sales director) if you need help.
RATES - $75.00 per night plus tax
ADDRESS - 2477 Royal Drive, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
ADDITIONAL DETAILS - If you need additional information on this reunion, please contact:
John Cooper
11781 Julie Dr.
Baltimore, Ohio 43105
Work Phone - (614) 692-4218
Home Phone - (740) 862-6373
Email - john.cooper@dla.mil

ACTIVITIES - There is a lunch-time riverboat ride on the Ohio River for around $30 (meal and ride). This could be arranged for Tuesday. Please let John Cooper know if you are interested.

ANYONE WHO MAKES A RESERVATION, PLEASE CONTACT JOHN COOPER SO HE WILL KNOW WHO IS ATTENDING.

This reunion is open to all 3rd Engineer Special Brigade personnel or any other Army Amphibian who wishes to join us!!

Other Amphibian Engineer Units
from "Surf and Sand"
by
Robert Amory Jr.

The rest of the 3rd Brigade

Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd ESB

543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment (EBSR)

593rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment (EBSR)

563rd Engineer Boat Maitenance Battalion

• Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 563rd EBM Battalion





• 1461st Engineer Maintenance Company (Company A 563rd EBM Bn before June 9,1944)





• 1462nd Engineer Maintenance Company (Company B less 2nd Platoon 563rd EBM Bn before June 9,1944)





• 1463rd Engineer Maintenance Company (Company B 2nd Platoon 563rd EBM Bn before June 9,1944)





• 1571st Engineer Heavy Equipment Shop (Company C less 2nd Platoon 563rd EBM Bn before June 9,1944)





• 1763rd Engineer Parts Supply Platoon (Company C 2nd Platoon 563rd EBM Bn before June 9,1944)

198th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company

263rd Medical Amphibian Battalion

163rd Ordnance Maintenance Company

3499th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company

693rd QM Truck Company

288th QM Signal Company Amphibian

The "stateside" story of the other units of the 3d Brigade is virtually identical to that of the 533d. The two other regiments trained alongside it and participated with it in the full division maneuvers in Carrabelle. The 543d EB& SR (composed of the old 3d Battalions of the 533d Engineer Shore Regiment and the 593d Engineer to the Gulf of Mexico in November 1942. The 593d EB&SR (consisting of the 2d Boat Regiment) made a spectacular convoy trip with LCMs from Massachusetts Battalion, 533d Engineer Shore Regiment and Headquarters, and 1st Battalion 593d Engineer Boat Regiment) took a group back from Florida to Cape Cod in April. These voyages provided the first effective demonstration that small landing craft could be usefully employed far beyond their originally intended ship-to-shore range. On the other hand, the combined training with the 4th Marine Division at Oceanside, California, was exclusively a 533d affair.

In giving a brief account of the overseas history of the Brigade units, separate consideration by regiments is almost essential. Actually the Brigade never participates in actual operations as a unit. Brigade headquarters exercised administrative control over the regiments only as to matters of officer promotion and technical reports. Its primary function was obtaining and forwarding to the regiments equipment and supplies peculiar to amphibian operations, especially landing craft and marine parts and supplies. In addition it acted as adviser to the Theatre and Army commanders in amphibian matters and maintained a separate radio net that provided ready communications between all the scattered elements of the Brigade.

Brigadier General David A. D. Ogden commanded the Brigade from the time of its activation until July 20, 1945 when he was assigned to command the principal base to be established in Kyushu in the Olympic operation. Colonel Moore of the 533d succeeded him and held command until the Brigade was shipped home for inactivation from Yokohama in December 1945. General Ogden's ceaseless efforts to cut red tape and bring Army and Navy agencies together in order that critical supplies might reach the line units when needed and his continual educational pressure on division and corps commanders to insure that his amphibian engineer units were employed with maximum efficiency were a vital contribution to the campaign in the Southwest Pacific. His original executive, Colonel Edward Kraus, was succeeded in January 1944 by Colonel Gerald E. Galloway of the 543d EB&SR who ably held this difficult and thankless post to the end.

The Brigade command post was established initially at Goodenough Island in December 1943, and moved to Finschhafen in March 1944 and to Biak in September of the same year. In May 1945 it moved to Batangas, Luzon, and in September to Otaru on Hokkaido Island, Japan. An advance section of the Brigade headquarters operated as part of I Corps headquarters in the Lingayen Gulf landing and was preparing to act as IX Corps shore party headquarters in the invasion of Kyushu.

New Guinea Campaign Issue of the RAMP

Following is a transcript of the special issue of the RAMP, publication of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, issued Saturday February 17,1945.

N.E.I.
Edited and published by Head-
quarters , 3rd Engineer Special
Brigade, APO 920. Distributed
Tusday, Thursday and Saturday.
Editor-------T/5 Max M. Moses
Ass't Editor-Pfc Armand Kovitz
Art----------Sgt Alex B. Cook
-------------T/Sgt Earl Hoshall
-------------T/4 John Whisler
Humor--------Pfc Robert Svatos
Advisor------Capt. L. S. McCaslin

Specially Passed By GHQ
This issue MAY be mailed home.

MILNE BAY TO SANSAPOR

THE STORY OF THE THIRD ENGINEER SPECIAL BRIGADE IN NEW GUINEA

With over a year's training behind them, the bulk of the Third Engineer Special Brigade embarked from San Francisco for overseas duty in November and December 1943. They were well skilled in the art of amphibious warfare and New Guinea beckoned as a proving ground.

The early period in New Guinea was one of organization and careful preparation for the tasks to come. The 563d Boat Maintenance Bn had preceeded the remainder of the Brigade overseas and was busy turning out the all important LCM's at an assembly line in Milne Bay.

With the supply of LCM's being built up, the Brigade waited impatiently at Milne Bay and Goodenough Island for it's first mission. The opportunity to prove themselves came in January of 1944 when the 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment left for Cape Cretin, near Finschhafen, New Guinea. Finschhafen at that time was still being subjected to enemy air raids and unloading facilities for cargo ships were in the early stages of development.

In spite of these difficulties the regiment handled the task of unloading Liberty ships with the care and speed of veterans. During a one month period they emptied 35 Liberty ships of their cargo, setting a SWPA tonnage record with 2110 tons unloaded in one day and daily average of 1550 tons.

In February the remainder of the Brigade followed the 533rd to Finschhafen. The Amphibians began to train with the 32nd Division at Scarlet Beach in preparation for future operations. In addition a shuttle service by boat units was begun to more distant points along the coast of New Guinea and New Britain. Under this system, dubbed "milk runs" by the Amphibs, a total of 144,580 ton-miles of cargo was transported in the first month alone and in five months this figure climbed to 2,147,593 ton-miles.

The time for the Brigade to get its baptism of fire was rapidly approaching. The first unit to leave the shelter of Finsch Harbor was again the 533rd which on the 23rd of February moved to Saidor to stage for their first operation

Our Business is Beachheads!

THE MONTH OF MARCH MARKED THE DATE OF THE THIRD BRIGADE'S INITIATION TO COMBAT OPERATIONS. IT IS FITTING THAT THE 533D SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO MEET THE ENEMY, THE MEN HAVING SPARKED THE BRIGADE IN TWO SUCCESSIVE MOVES. WITH STARTLING RAPIDITY THEY SPEARHEADED TWO LANDINGS IN AS MANY DAYS.

ROUND 1

YALAU

On March 5th, with Saidor as their starting point, Company C of the 533d landed troops of the 32d Division at Yalau Plantation, northwest along the coast of New Guinea from Saidor. The operation called for a sweep as far north as Bau Plantation east of Melanua Harbor, and was part of the growing Allied move on Madang and Wewak.

The assault was made by 65 landing craft, including LCVP's LCM's and 9 PT boats. Complete air cover starting at 0700 was maintained throughout by three bombers and eight fighters. The initial landing achieved all objectives, and was run with precision split-second timing. Light resistance was met on the beach, but as they pushed inland artillery fire was encountered by H-Hours plus 12.

Landing the troops was only part of the Amphibian's mission. Once the infantryman were ashore, medical supplies, food and ammunition had to be brought up in the small landing craft, and the wounded had to be evacuated. The men of the Brigade did all this with efficiency, and in addition ran combat patrols to the outskirts of the neutralized area. The total tonnage discharged ran to a daily average of 809 tons, a startling figure under the conditions of poor anchorage and choppy surf.

ROUND 2

TALASEA

While Co C of the 533d was meeting their baptism of fire, companies A and F of the same regiment were getting ready at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, for another telling blow against the Japs. The mission, consisting of 60 landing craft of various types with and escort of five PT's left Iboki on the 6th of March for an assault landing at Talasea. Aboard the Amphibian's LCM's were troops of the 1st Marine Division, heros of Guadalcanal.

Hastily planned and rapidly conceived, the operation was none the less a tribute to the Boat and Shore Companies of the 533rd. So hurried were the preparations for the landing that several LCM's carrying supplies to the point of embarkation were drafted into operation almost before they started unloading.

Led by the PT boats, the LCM's and LCVP's ploughed through a choppy sea to reach their destination, despite a night of rain and low visibility, within minutes of the appointed hour.

As the first wave snaked it's way towards shore, it was met by light rifle fire and a stream of mortar fire that continued until after the last wave reached the beach. In some places the reefs were so treacherous that the boats were forced to proceed in single file.

As the troops advanced through Volopai Plantation on their drive to Talasea, a shore of the Brigade organized the beachhead, set up their dumps and out roads through the forests for the heavy equipment that was to follow. Beach defences were set up and foxholes dug around the CP. The preliminary work was now complete, and another advance base had been successfully established to complete a ring around Rabaul.

ROUND 3

GASMATA

Before the month of March came to a close, the men of another regiment added further distinction to the work of the Third Brigade. On 17 March 44, a reconnaissance patrol of Amphibian Scouts of the 593d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment was the first Allied air, sea or land unit to enter Gasmata, former big Jap base on New Britain, since the Nips captured the area on 10 Feb 42.

ROUND 4

AITAPE

At 0645 the first wave of Brigade LCVP's raced towards the shore at Aitape to establish the beachhead that spelled doom for the Jap 18th Army at Wewak. The actual landing was spearheaded by Company A of the 593d EBSR.

The first wave of V's was met by only desultory rifle fire. Some distance inland light machine gun fire from an enemy emplacement was quickly stopped by one of the tanks carried to the beach by a Brigade LCM. On the beach the unloading of supplies and equipment was carried out by the Shore Bn of the 593d.

Undoubtedly the most outstanding engineering achievement of the initial operation was the construction of seven jetties, each 40 feet long, and running out to where the larger landing boats had beached in four feet of water. All seven jetties were completed in one hour.

Immediately following the initial phase of the landing, combat patrols and resupply missions were run by A Company for 25 to 50 miles up and down the coast. Co A also teamed up with the shore Bn to unload 30,000 tons of cargo in three weeks.

After a months work spent in consolidating the Aitape beachhead, the 593d was relieved by the 533d EBSR. In a period of five months the 593rd unloaded 153,506 tons of cargo, a daily average of 1,210 tons.

The Shore Bn was also active along the defense perimeter, necessitated by the attempted breakthrough of the Jap 18th Army. The weapons sections of the 533d rendered much assistance in setting up defensive positions. They also helped to man the pill boxes and held down a section of the main defense.

ROUND 5

MADANG

While the Shore Bn of the 593d was setting up the initial beach operations at Aitape in april, Company C of the 593d, attached to the Australian 5th Division, spearheaded the Allied advance from Saidor to Madang, and later Alexishafen.

The Madang landing took place on the 24th of April. While the Australian ground forces marched into Madang from the beach, LCM's manned by C Company carried assault trops into the inner harbor to complete the occupation of what was once the leading enemy air and naval base in that section of New Guinea.

The occupation of Madang was the end of two months of backbreaking struggle against the jungle and the Japs by the Aussies and their Amphibian Barge Company. Together they formed a hard-striking team that displayed unbeatable cooperation and teamwork.

The score now stood at four landings and the Brigade had established itself as an outfit that could do the job of infantry, navy, and engineers.

ROUND 6

WAKDE

On the 15th of May the Shore Bn of the 593d EBSR left Aitape to join a task force for the Wadke landing. Because of a last minute change in plans, they were given only eight hours notice of the impending move, and in that time had to load their own equipment, as well as continue their work of loading the Task Force. Bulldozers worked up to the last minute before being loaded.

Preceeded by heavy air and naval bombardment the infantry landed at 0715, H-Hour, and met no opposition. By H plus 60, the troops of the 593d came in on LST's and immediately went to work establishing dumps, building jetties, and assisting in the unloading.

On the morning of D plus 1, the infantry landed on Insoemar Island. Heavy resistance was encountered and Co E, 593d, was rushed to the island to begin the unloading. During the unloading, sniper fire harassed our troops continuously and Co E suffered a few casualties. Headquarters Co Shore Bn Weapons platoon eliminated one pillbox by-passed by the infantry, and also accounted for several of the snipers. Co E mopped up in their area on the right flank and established a bivouac area on the high ground there. a perimeter was formed bt Hq Co Shore Bn and Co E weapons platoon.

By D plus 2, the 593d's defense perimeter had been strengthened by the arrival of D and F companies weapons sections and the men felt more secure. The Japs, however, still had a great deal of fight left in them and in the early morning of D plus 3 at 0530 they infiltrated thru the left flank, set a jeep on fire and killed sveral of our troops with machine guns and bayonets attached to long poles. The tires on the regimental trucks and and weapons carriers were machine gunned and slashed. The attack was wiped out by the combined efforts of all weapons sections of the 593d. Grenades were the best weapon due to the confusion, but 30's and 50's were also used effectively. Forty-five dead Japs were counted in the extreme left flank and in the center of the area.

The gains in the Wadke area were consolidated during the month of May. The Shore Bn of the 593d engaged in beach, dump and access road developments and training for future operations.

ROUND 7

NOEMFOOR

The Shore Bn of the 593d EBSR with the Wakde mission still fresh in their memories, formed part of the Task Force that hit Noemfoor Island in the early morning hours of July 2. They were accompanied by another Brigade unit, Company A, of the 543d EBSR, who distinguished themselves even before the landing was made. The company made a continuous trip from Finschhafen to Noemfoor, a distance of 900 miles in order to participate in the operation.

On the heels of the assault troops of the first wave, Co A LCM's loaded with heavy equipment and reserve troops, hit the beach. The Shore Bn of the 593d was ashore by H plus 50 and engaged in clearing cuts through the beach area, unloading equipment and setting up supply dumps.

The beaching facilities were very poor, and the large offshore reef made unloading a tough job but in spite of the difficulties they unloaded 2000 tons on D-Day and between D-Day and D plus 19, 23,630 tons. These figures do not include organic engineer equipment.

The part played by Co A, 543d was equally important. Besides their work on D-Day they participated in the secondary landing of D plus 5 at Namber strip and landinga small force of paratroopers on Manin Island. working in cooperation with the 593d they also assisted in salvaging equipment lost in the fissures lost in the coral reef on D-Day.

ROUND 8

SANSAPOR

The second operation during the month of July, and the eighth and last of the New Guinea campaign, was the landing at Sansapor. It was executed by the 543d EBSR which teamed up with the infantry to make the landing on July 30,1944.

No opposition was met in the initial landing and the Shore Bn immediately set up beach control, smoothly took care of unloading, roads, dumps, and jeties. Unloading operations after D-Day were carried out in the face of increasing air attacks.

THE LANDING AT SANSAPOR BRINGS THE ROLE OF THE THIRD BRIGADE IN NEW GUINEA TO A CLOSE. THE RECORD IS A GOOD ONE AND THE MEN ARE PROUD OF IT. TOKYO ROSE GAVE A GOOD CLUE TO THE REACTIONS OF THE JAPS WHEN SHE LABELED THE MEN OF THE BRIGADE "DESPERADOS". THE AMPHIBS CONSIDER THE TITLE A JUST REWARD FOR NINE MONTHS OF COMBAT.

Chronology of The 3rd ESB
from "Surf and Sand"
by Robert Amory Jr.
and
"Down Ramp"
by Brigadier General William F. Heavey

1942

MAY '42


7 or 9 - Joint Chiefs of Staff issue orders directing creation of amphibian engineer units.

JUNE '42


5 - Engineer Amphibian Command activated at Camp Edwards

15 - 1st Engineer Amphibian Brigade activated at Camp Edwards

20 - 2nd Engineer Amphibian Brigade activated at Camp Edwards

AUGUST '42


8 - 3rd Engineer Amphibian Brigade, including 533rd Engineer Shore Regiment and 593rd Engineer Boat Regiment, activated at Camp Edwards

21 - Colonel C. T. Tench assumes command of 533rd ESR.

25-31 - Allies drive off Jap attempt to seize Milne Bay.

28 - Colonel O.W. van den Berg assumes command of 593rd EBR.

31 - 2nd Battalion, 593rd EBR moves from Camp Edwards to Cotuit.

SEPTEMBER '42


12 - Boat Battalion in first tactical exercise makes night landing on No Man's Land

29 - First antiaircraft machine gun firing at Popponessett

OCTOBER '42

1-31 - Basic training for boat men on Nantucket Sound and shore engineers on Sandy Neck and other Cape Cod beaches.

25 - 3rd Brigade alerted for move to Carrabelle, Florida

NOVEMBER '42

9 - 533rd ESR is redesignated 533rd Engineer Amphibian Regiment, receives 2nd Battalion of 593rd and 543rd Engineer Amphibian Regiments.

13-15 -Shore Battalion and regimental headquarters move by train from Camp Edwards, Cape Cod, Mass. to Carrabelle, Florida.

21 - Beginning of struggle to oust Japs from Buna-Gona area of New Guinea.

26 - Training wth 38th Division begins a G Beach

DECEMBER '42

11 - First regimental combat team landing with 149th Infantry.

17-20 - First full division landing problem with 38th Division - horrible fiasco.

29-31 Rerun of muffed 38th Division exercise.

1943

• JANUARY '43
• 6,9,21,26 - 3rd Brigade landing exercises on Dog Island
• 19 -Buna-Gona fight ends with fall of Sanananda
• 25 - Cadre for 4th Brigade departs for Ft. Devens, causing considerable shuffling of assignments.
• FEBRUARY '43
• 2 - Beginning of joint training with 112th Infantry and Special Troops of 28th Division.
• 9-10 - 3rd Brigade landing exercise at Red Beach
• 24-25 - Combat team landing with 112th Infantry.
• MARCH '43
• 4-6 - Full 28th Division landing at Red Beach.
• 5-6 - Night of the big storm.
• 6-8 - Salvage of wrecked boats.
• 9 - Army's Amphibian Training command abolished
• 10 - Special landing problem for benefit of news reels
• 11 - Beginning of intensive rifle marksmanship training
• 25 - Special landing problem to impress conference of Dixie governors
• 30 - Boat Battalion turns in all landing craft in preparation for move to west coast
• 31 - First regimental review
• APRIL '43
• 1 - Colonel Tench relinquishes command
• 1-17 - Firing for record with M-1 rifle
• 9-12 - Detachment of Boat Battalion takes 23 staff boats 440 miles to Fort Pierce, Florida
• 21-27 - Regiment moves by rail to Fort Ord, California
• MAY '43
• 11 - 7th Division lands on Attu
• 19-28 - Boat Battalion at Presidio of Monterey for surf training
• 22 - Colonel W.S. Moore assumes command of the regiment.
• 25 - 533rd Enginer Amphibian Regiment redesignated 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment.
• 29-June 6 - Boat Battalion plus detachment of Shore Battalion moves by truck to Desert for antiaircraft training.
• 31 - Regiment, after receiving over 500 replacements, virtually at full strength.
• JUNE '43
• 12 - First 3rd Brigade review.
• 17-29 - Boat Battalion at Monterey for training tests of boat platoons.
• 22 - War Department and Engineer Amphibian Command training inspection, including landing problem.
• 30 - Landings on Woodlark, Kiriwina, Nassau Bay and New Georgia start major Allied offensive in SWPA.
• JULY '43
• 1 - Company B establishes camp at Carmel Beach for intensive boat and maintenance training.
• 3 - Second regimental review
• 5 - Colonel Moore assumes command of Brigade during General Ogden's trip to SWPA.
• 22 - Company A replaces B at Carmel Beach camp
• 24 - Company C wins company honors and 533rd wins regimental honors in Brigade track meet.
• 25 - About half of Shore Battalion moves to Albany race track for cargo handling training at Oakland Port of Embarkation.
• AUGUST '43
• 5 - Munda air field on New Guinea captured by 43rd, 37th and 25th Divisions.
• 8 - B Compnay designated for early shipment overseas to ferry boats from Australia to New Guinea.
• 15 - Company C replaces Company A at Carmel Beach
• 16 - 563rd Boat Maintenance Battaion moves to port of embarkation
• 24-30 - Boat Battalion less Company B moves 450 miles down the California coast in LCPLs and Rs to Oceanside
• SEPTEMBER '43
• 1-12 - Training exercises at Oceanside, California, with 4th Marine Division
• 4 - 532nd EB&SR atached to 9th Australian Division participates in first large amphibian attack in SWPA, a few miles east of Lae.
• 7 - 563rd Boat Maintenance Battalion sails for New Guinea.
• 11 - Salamaua, New Guinea falls to 41st Division
• 13 - Regiment receives official alert for overseas movement
• 14-15 - Boat Battalion, less Company B, returns by truck to Fort Ord.
• 16 - Lae, New Guinea, captured by Aussies.
• 20-21 - 3rd Brigade CPX tests communications and staff work for major landings.
• OCTOBER '43
• 2 - Aussies capture Finschhafen.
• 1-20 - Final training in new weapons and equipment.
• 14 - 563rd Miantenance Battalion debarks at Milne Bay.
• 22 - Company B and Shore Battalion called to port of embarkation to sail 5 November.
• 29 - Company B and Shore Battalion load freight cars.
• 30 - Sailing date postponed indefinitely
• NOVEMBER '43
• 1 - 3rd Marine Division lands at Bougainville.
• 8-17 - 1200 mile cruise to Mexico demostrates long range possibilities of small landing craft.
• 10 - Company B and Shore Battalion again called to port of embarkation to sail November 23.
• 21 - Shore Battalion and Company B finally entrain for Camp Stoneman.
• 24 - Shore Battalion and Company B aboard USS West Point sail out the Golden Gate.
• DECEMBER '43
• 2 - Regimental Headquarters Company moves from Fort Ord to Camp Stoneman.
• 10 - West Point anchors in Milne Bay.
• 11 - Shore Battalion debarks and pitches camp on north shore of Milne Bay.
• 14-16 - Company B debarks and reloads on SS Cape Meers for Australia.
• 15 - 112th Cavalry Regiment lands at Arawe, New Britain.
• 17 - Boat Battalion, less Company B, entrains at Fort Ord for Camp Stoneman.
• 19 - Advance party of Shore Battalion moves from Milne Bay to Cape Cretin.
• 19-21 - Company B lands at Townsville and moves to Cairns, Australia by rail.
• 21-24 - Shore Battalion aboard SS Josiah Earle moves from Milne Bay to Cape Cretin.
• 22 - Regiment, less Shore Battalion and Company B sails from San Francisco aboard SS Cape Perpetua.
• 26 - 1st Marine Division lands at Cape Gloucester.
• 27 - Company B starts joint training with 6th Division (Australian) north of Cairns.

1944

• JANUARY '44
• 2 - 126th RCT lands at Saidor
• 5 -Shore Battalion takes over operation of Sixth Army beach at Cape Cretin from 2nd ESB.
• 7 - Company A, 563rd EBM Battalion moves to Langamak Bay to support 2nd ESB.
• 14 - Company A debarks from Cape Perpetua at Milne Bay.
• 15-Feb.16 - Lt. Farkas scouting mission to Umboi Island.
• 16 - Company C, Regimental, and Boat Battalion Headquarters Company debark at at Melauna Bay, Goodenough.
• 18 - Company C commences boat operations at Goodenough.
• 19 - Company A starts convoy runs from Milne Bay to Goodenough..
• FEBRUARY '44
• 4 - Regiment ordered to take over amphibious support of task forces at Cape Gloucester and Saidor by March 1.
• 13 - A Company moves from Milne Bay to Goodenough.
• 15 - New Zealanders occupy Green Island southeast of Rabaul.
• 18-21 - Boat Battalion, less Company B, in organic craft moves via Oro Bay to Finschafen.
• 21-23 - Regimental Headquarters Company and Medical Detachment move from Goodenough to Finschhafen. Regimental CP established on Nugundo Peninsula.
• 24 - Boat Battalion, Headquarters Company and Company A arrive at Cape Gloucester.
• 25 - Shore Battalion, less Company F, and Company C arrive at Saidor.
• 26 - Company A's boats help 5th Marines take Iboki Plantation.
• 28 - Company A, 563rd EBM Battalion arrives at Borgen Bay, New Britain.
• MARCH '44
• 3 - Company F arrives at Borgen Bay from Cretin.
• 5 - Company C participates in Yalau Plantation attack with 128th Infantry.
• 6 - 5th Marines with Company A and parts of Company F and Boat Battalion Headquarters Company attached makes assault landing at Volupai (Talasea), New Britain.
• 11 - Company A 533d boats land 1st Marines at Linga-Linga Plantation, Eleonora Bay, New Britain.
• 20 - B Company relieved from attachment to Australian I Corps to await shipment to New Guinea.
• 26 - Marines land at Emirau completing encirclement of Rabaul area.
• APRIL '44
• 3 - F Company takes over beach at Borgen Bay . General Macarthur brought ashore in Company A LCVP at Borgen Bay.
• 22 - 24th, 32nd (suported by the 543d EB&SR), and 41st Divisions land at Aitape and Hollandia on New Guinea.
• 22-23 - Company C moves from Saidor to Cape Gloucester.
• 24-25 - 533rd LCM's carry 185th Infantry from Borgen Bay to Talasea and bring back 5th Marines.
• 29 - Shore Battalion relieved from duty at Saidor to prepare for Wakde Island operation.
• MAY '44
• 3 - Rear Echelon Company C arrives at Borgen Bay from Saidor.
• 8-13 - Shore Battalion on SS Wm. N. Byers sails from Saidor to Aitape via Hollandia. Detour causes it to be dropped from Wakde Island task force.
• 8 - Landing at Cape Hoskins, New Britain.
• 14 - Shore Battalion takes over beach at Aitape.
• 15 - First inland reconnaisance by LCMGs executed on Kapiura River, New Britain.
• 15 - Company B 533d moves into town of Cairns to stage for New Guinea.
• 19 - 163rd Combat Team invades Wakde Island and nearby shore of New Guinea. Company A 542d and 593d support landing.
• 27 - Balance of 41st Division lands on Biak Island.
• 28 - Unauthorized and unopposed landing at Garove, Vitu Islands, north of New Britain.
• JUNE '44
• 5-13 - 108th RCT moved from Borgen Bay at Arawe in A and C Company 533d boats.
• 14 - Advanced detail of Company B arrives at Finschafen by air.
• 23-26 - Boat Battalion Headquarters Company and Company C in organic craft move from New Britain to Seleo Island off Aitape.
• JULY '44
• 2 - 158th RCT siezes Noemfoor Island.
• 13 - Scheduled shore-to-shore attack of 124th RCT (31st Division) from Aitape to Naparake canceled because of Jap break-through on the Driniumor River. B Company arrives at Finschafen from Cairns.
• 14-Aug.8 - Batle of Driniumor River results in virtual annihilation of Jap XVIII Army; LCMGs, DUKWs see considerable action.
• 30 - 6th Division lands at Sansopar near western tip of New Guinea. 543d lends support. Amphibians operating 1,400 miles from their base at Milne Bay.
• AUGUST '44
• 4 - C Company crews fly Aitape to Milne Bay to receive and bring forward the first group of replacement boats.
• 19-29 - Regimental Headquarters Company and Company B more in organic craft from Finschafen to Aitape and Seleo Island.
• 29-Sep.3 - Company F moves from Borgen Bay to Aitape in B Company LCMs.
• SEPTEMBER '44
• 3 - Warning orders for attack on Talaud Islands with 32nd Division on October 15 received by regiment.
• 15 - Talaud operation cancelled.
• 16-17 - LCMGs support advance of 103rd Infantry from Babieng to Suain Plantation.
• 20 - LCMGs save Company F, 172nd Infantry from disaster on Danmap River-extreme limit of American advance toward Wewak.
• OCTOBER '44
• 1 - Beach at Lemieng Village, Aitape, abandoned because of heavy surf, and operations shifted to aitape Cove.
• 20 - Sixth Army invades Leyte.
• 26 - LCMGs enter Wewak area on unsuccessful attempt to rescue RAAF flyers.
• NOVEMBER '44
• 12 - Planning for Lingayen Gulf landing on Deceber 20 commences.
• 14-17 - Company A moves from Borgen Bay, New Britain to Seleo Island.
• 24-26 - Company A makes hasty move from Seleo Island back to Finschafen.
• 27-Dec.1 - A Company moves on naval transports from Finschafen to Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville.
• 30 - Transports arrive in Aitape Roads to take 43rd Division and 533rd less A Company to Luzon, Phillipines.
• DECEMBER '44
• 1 - Lingayen Gulf "S" Day postponed 20 days to January 9; 60 LCMs and crews attached to transports.
• 5-24 - Loading of supplies and vehicles in heavy surf.
• 7 - 77th Division lands at Ormoc, western Leyte.
• 15 - 24th Division lands on Mindoror Island, southwest of Luzon.
• 16 - A Company with 37th Division leaves Bougainville aboard naval transports.
• 18-19 - A Company participates in rehearsals off Lae, New Guinea.
• 21 - A Company arrives at Manus Island.
• 26 - Troops embark at Aitape.
• 27 - Rehearsals at Aitape.
• 28 - Convoy sails from Aitape.
• 28-29 - Boat Battalion rear echelon moves to Hollandia to await turnaround shipping.
• 31 - 37th Division convoy sails from Manus Island.

1945

• JANUARY '45
• 4 - Convoy enters Phillipine waters.
• 9 - 533d Regiment lands at White Beach, San Fabian. Sixth Army lands at Lingayen Gulf with 4th ESB, two regiments of 3d ESB, and small boats detachment of 2nd ESB.
• 19 - Assault phase terminates and 533d Regiment passes to operational control of Base M.
• 19-20 - Boat Battalion brings out guerilla battalion from Aringay.
• 29 - 38th Division lands at Subic Bay.
• 30 - 533d Regimental rear echelon arrives at San Fabian from Aitape.
• 31 - White Beach 2 reorganized with 543rd and 533rd Shore Battalions handling unloading of LCMs and LCTs respectively. 11th Airborne Division lands at Nusugbu, south of Manila Bay.
• FEBRUARY '45
• 4 - 37th and 1st Cavalry enter Manila.
• 10 - A Company moves from Dagupan River to Bued River.
• 12 - 543rd relieved on White Beach; 533rd Shore Battalion takes over LCM beach while 534th begins to handle LCTs.
• 16 - Air and sea-borne assault on Corregidor.
• 18 - Regiment advised it would make shore-to-shore attack northward on Luzon.
• 25 - 3d ESB Convoy service to guerilla-held points and PT refueling station on northern Luzon innaugurated.
• 28 - 186th RCT lands on Palawan Island.
• MARCH '45
• 6 - Regiment alerted for operation on Mindinao.
• 10 - 41st Division lands at Zamboanga. 543d in this landing.
• 15 - First reeal information of new operation received.
• 18 - 40th Division invades Panay.
• 20 - Regiment relieved from operational control of Base M.
• 26 - Regiment ceases operations on White Beach.
• 27 - Americal Division lands on Cebu.
• 29 - 40th Division invades Negros.
• 31 - Boat Battalion in organic craft departs Lingayen Gulf.
• APRIL '45
• 1 - Boat Battalion stops overat Subic Bay. 158th RCT lands at Lingayen.
• 2-3 - Boat Battalion arrives Mangarin Bay, Mindoro.
• 4-6 - Rest of Regiment on LSTs moves from Lingayen Gulf to Mindoro.
• 5 - Joint MacArthur-Nimitz command of all Pacific forces announced for invasion of Japan.
• 8 - Regiment attached to 24th Division begins to load out at Mindinao.
• 10 - B Company convoy departs for Zamboanga.
• 11 - A Company convoy departs for Zamboanga.Rehearsal of operation held at Mindoro.
• 12 - C Company convoy departs for Zamboanga. Roosevelt dies.
• 14 - Naval convoy leaves Mindoro.
• 16 - Drastic change in plans as Army and Navy convoys join off Zamboanga.
• 17 - "R" Day landings at Malabang and Parang, Mindinao.
• 18 - Beginning of Mindinao River operations; seizure of Cotabato and Lomopog.
• 22 - Capture of Carmen Ferry ends offensive phase of Mindinao River operation.
• 30 - Platoon of B Company and Company F leave for Davao Gulf.
• MAY '45
• 1 - Australians land at Tarakan, Borneo. 593d Boat Bn. goes in with Australians.
• 3 - Platoon of B Company and Company F join 24th Division at Santa Cruz in Davao Gulf.
• 4 - Davao River ferry innaugurated and Talomo Beach established.
• 5 - Malabang Beach closed down and D Company moved to Parang.
• 6-7 Germans surrender; VE Day.
• 9 - Shore-to-shore operation against Samal Island, Davao Gulf.
• 10 - 108th RCT lands at Macajalar Bay, Mindinao.
• 12 - Australians finally capture Wewak. Headquarters, 3d ESB at Biak.
• 13 - Capture of Balete Pass after bitter struggle seals fate of Japs on Luzon.
• 17-19 - Balance of B Company moves from Cotabato to Talomo.
• 24 - 31st Division and 108th RCT meet on Sayre Highway.
• 20-June 2 - Companies A , E, and Boat Battalion Headquarters move from Parang via Zamboanga to Bugo.
• JUNE '45
• 1 - Assault landing at Luayon Point, Davao Gulf.
• 4 - Assault landing on Balut Island, Davao Gulf.
• 5 - Assault landing at Cape St. Augustin.
• 10 - Australians land at Brunei Bay, Borneo.
• 19 - B Company platoon leaves Talomo for run up east coast of Mindinao to Agusan River.
• 19-21 - Regimental Headquarters Company moves from Parang to Bugo overland and by LSMs.
• 25 - Regiment less Boat Battalion alerted to move to Oahu to stage for invasion of Japan.
• 25-30 - Using A and B Company, 533d boats boats , 155th RCT is moved 100 miles up Agusan River to trap last Japs in northern Mindinao.
• JULY '45
• 1 - Australians land at Balikpapan, Borneo. 3d ESB furnishes boats but not shore engineers for Borneo invasion.
• 4 - MacArthur announces Phillipine campaign completed.
• 8 - Headquarters Company, Shore Battalion and Company D leave Parang for Bugo.
• 10 - Company F departs Talomo for Leyte.
• 12 - B Company, 533d boats with 21st RCT make final amphibious assault of the War at head of Sarangani Bay. Last combat landing of the War.
• 14-15 - Regiment less Boat Battalion moves from Bugo to Leyte.
• 20 - Colonel Moore takes command of 3rd ESB and is succeeded in 533rd by Lt. Col. Amory.
• 26 - Allied heads of governments at Potsdam give Japs conditions for unconditional surrender.
• 30 - Regimental Headquarters Company sails from Leyte for Oahu.
• AUGUST '45
• 4 or 6 - Shore Battalion sails for Oahu from Leyte.
• 6 - First atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
• 10 - 3d ESB Headquarters at Batangas in Southern Luzon. Japs sue for peace, but announce certain reservations to Potsdam terms.
• 14 - Regimental Headquarters Company arrives at Oahu. Japs accept President Truman's terms; War is over.
• 15 - Regiment alerted for occupation duty in Japan.
• 18 - Shore Battalion arrives at Oahu.
• 28 - First Americam troops under Colonel Tench land in Japan at Atsugi.
• 31-September 4 - Convoys sail from Oahu for Japan.
• SEPTEMBER '45
• 1-2 - Japs sign surrender in Tokyo Bay, VJ Day.
• 12 2d ESB supports 1st Cavalry Division in first amphibious landing in Japan. Both 3d ESB and 4th ESB follow.
• 13 - Company C moves from Bugo to Zamboanga to load out 41st Division.
• 17-21 - Layover at Saipan for Shore Battalion and Regimental Headquarters.
• 20 - Convoy with Boat Battalion, less B Company, leaves Mindinao after picking up X Corps, Company A and Headquarters Company at Bugo.
• 27 - Regiment, less Boat Battalion, lands with 98th Division at Wakayama.
• 29-30 - Regiment, less Boat Battalion, re-embarks for Hiro.
• OCTOBER '45
• 1-3 - Convoy from Mindinao rides out typhoon off Okinawa.
• 6 - Landing with 41st Division at Hiro-Kure.
• 15 - Regiment, less B Company, concentrated at Kure Naval Base; B Company departs from Talomo for Japan with 24th Division.
• 22 - B Company, 533d lands at Mitsuhama, Shikoku.
• 25 - 100 point officers and 83 point men entrain for Nagoya.
• 27 - 533d Boats turned over to harbor craft companies and Boat Battalion becomes inactive.
• NOVEMBER '45
• 4 - 533d Regiment relieved from X Corps and attached to Kure Base.
• 5 - 80-81 point men leave for Nagoya.
• 6 - All men with less than 60 points transferred to other units except for small selected caretaker detachment.
• 13-19 - Final turning in of equipment of all types; 533d Regiment becomes virtually inactive.
• 14 - 71 point men and 90 point officers leave for Nagoya reducing 533d Regiment's strength to 40 officers and 400 men.
• 24 - Remainder of 533d Regiment moves from Kure to Koyama, half way to Hiroshima.
• 29-December 5 - 60-70 point men and 73-89 point officers leave for Nagoya.
• DECEMBER '45
• 4 - "Regiment" reduced to 40 men, attached to 1874th Engineer Aviation Batalion, moves back to Kure.
• 31 - 533d Regiment inactivated.

Return to 533rd EB&SR Page

Additional information on the other Engineer Special Brigades may be found at the 594th EB&SR website.
This page established 11/11/98
This page updated 03/29/03