The Bravest Thing I Ever Saw PTO (id:#57685)

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Layac, Bataan 1942-01-06 (3 others)

Overview:

After the destruction of the Culo River bridge, one last position remained between the Japanese and main American defensive position at the village of Abucay. The Americans wanted to hold this delaying position, just south of Layac, long enough to force the forward elements of the Japanese Army to deploy. The 31st Infantry Regiment was the backbone of this defensive line, occupying the center of the line. At 10:30 AM the American artillery opened up on the advancing Japanese column, making effective fore on the exposed troops. The Japanese quickly rebounded and soon had their own artillery returning fire. The American and Japanese artillery exchanged shell for shell with each side taking and inflicting grievous casualties. "They were exchanging shell for shell with the Japanese," remembered John G. Lally, then an 18-year-old Kansan medic. "It was the bravest thing I ever saw."

Defender: American (Company B, 31st Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)