Hello, Does anyone have examples of joint operations that British/Commonwealth forces in the Far East or Pacific that involved US Army or Marine forces? Looking for operations or battles that units were in the same battle space/engagement area. V/R Chris
The US Army and the Australian Army operated side by side in many New Guinea operations, particularly at Buna (1942-43) and on the Huon Peninsula (1943-44). In the South Pacific, the South Pacific Scouts operated with the US Army and Marines on New Georgia and other islands; the SPS were drawn from personnel of the Tonga, Fiji, and Solomon Islands Defence Forces. A Canadian brigade participated with the US Army in the invasion of Kiska in 1943, but there was no fighting since the Japanese had evacuated the island. A US field artillery battalion also served alongside British and Australian units in Blackforce on Java early in 1942. In Burma, the US 5307th Regiment (Merrill's Marauders) operated alongside the Kachin Rangers and elements of Special Force (Chindits), particularly Morris Force. That's if you are looking at ground forces only. The examples of cooperation between naval and air units in the Pacific and CBI theaters are legion.
As TTH mentions Buna-Gona battle is a good example of 2nd AIF and US 32nd Division troops fighting together. The US army troops were very green and conditions were horrendous. I recently read Lida Mayo's 'Bloody Buna' which gives a good overview of the US soldiers and Australians involved. It is a bit dated and draws a lot on Official Histories but is nonetheless a good introduction. I would also recommend this- Scott
And you can add the link up between US and NZ forces in the Treasury Islands; HyperWar: USMC Monograph--Marines in the Central Solomons Gary
The British/Indian 36 Infantry Division fought under US command in Northern Burma though I have to admit I don't know how closely they operated alongside US forces - I have the impression they were mostly doing their own thing.
36 Div was an odd case. It was part of NCAC under direct command of Stilwell/Sultan for almost 10 months and often 100% reliant on US air supply from Assam, but at the same time was operating way out on the flank and was under pressure from ALFSEA not to dilute its 'British identity' (arguments resulted when some of the men got hold of American carbines as personal weapons). US forward air controllers were embedded with the brigade HQs to bring in air strikes, and a dedicated squadron of US pilots flew Stinsons on casualty evacuation, liaison and RA Air OP duties. No joint operations with US infantry, though. Most of the divisional artillery was held up in Assam until November 1944, so a US/Chinese arty group supported the Division in its early battles (Chinese gunners with American officers and signallers, supplemented with British forward OP parties from the div arty flying in on rotation). North of the Irrawaddy US heavy engineering units helped British/Indian engineers of 36 Div to bring the railway line into service. South of the Irrawaddy, Kachin units with American officers occasionally supported 36 Div patrols (especially the 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers around the Banwe fortress).
I'm not quite sure if this corresponds exactly to the question, but it may still be of interest to some: OperationThursday - Birth of the Air Commandos https://www.afsoc.af.mil/Portals/86/documents/history/AFD-051228-015.pdf
