Sgt._Johnson
28 December, 1943- "The Pimple"
Pvt. Jack Wright
7th Division
After Lae, we got new orders to march right up the Markham Valley. We made it all the way to Dumpu without firing a single shot, but hit a snag as soon as we hit the Finisterre Mountains. Japanese positions along Shaggy Ridge have been holding us up for months, but now, after resting up on Christmas and Boxing Day, we're throwing everything we've got at the southern most position, "the Pimple."
Starting early yesterday morning, our artillery and the Yanks' bombers took turns softening the Pimple up. And they did a good job of it, too, because we've barely faced any real resistance. The real challenge, though, is actually making it to the top. The cliffs go nearly straight up, and what few footpaths there are are still almost impossible to keep your footing on. And even when you're not getting shot at, there's still no way to know for certain that one of 'em won't pop up at you at any moment.
These mountains are nothing like the Owen Stanleys. If we're having this much trouble getting up just one mountain, the rest of Shaggy Ridge is going to be one hell of a slog.
28 December, 1943- "The Pimple"
Pvt. Jack Wright
7th Division
After Lae, we got new orders to march right up the Markham Valley. We made it all the way to Dumpu without firing a single shot, but hit a snag as soon as we hit the Finisterre Mountains. Japanese positions along Shaggy Ridge have been holding us up for months, but now, after resting up on Christmas and Boxing Day, we're throwing everything we've got at the southern most position, "the Pimple."
Starting early yesterday morning, our artillery and the Yanks' bombers took turns softening the Pimple up. And they did a good job of it, too, because we've barely faced any real resistance. The real challenge, though, is actually making it to the top. The cliffs go nearly straight up, and what few footpaths there are are still almost impossible to keep your footing on. And even when you're not getting shot at, there's still no way to know for certain that one of 'em won't pop up at you at any moment.
These mountains are nothing like the Owen Stanleys. If we're having this much trouble getting up just one mountain, the rest of Shaggy Ridge is going to be one hell of a slog.