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Dealing with Tree Snipers Report of Operations, 43d Division, New Georgia: “We effectively cured the Jap of his liking for sniping from trees by the command, ‘Fire Mission. All Battalions. Fuze Quick. Three Volleys.’ The quick fuze resulted in bursts in the tree tops. After a week of this treatment the Jap sniper moved from the trees to the ground.
Adjustment of Fire “All close support adjustments were made by ‘sound and fragment’ method until the latter part of the campaign, when ground observation was obtained. Forward observers were always in the most forward position possible—in some cases in advance of the lines. Adjustments were time-consuming, starting at a range surely over friendly troops and working gradually closer to our front lines. Some smoke was used but not very successfully in the jungle. Tree tops were not used for observation because of the limited view and the fact that our troops were suspicious of all activity in trees. Prisoners of war inquired about our ‘automatic artillery.’
Morale Effect “The incessant firing of our artillery during the six-week period produced contrasting effects on the nerves of our own troops and on those of the enemy. Our infantry often stated that having those rounds continually landing in front of them was one of their best morale builders, especially at night. In the Jap, on the other hand, it produced severe cases of war neurosis. He couldn’t sleep at night because he never knew when or where the next round was going to land. He couldn’t sleep in the daytime because when our infantry wasn’t attacking him our artillery was giving him hell.
“The following statements made by prisoners are interesting:
“‘Between Bibilo Hill and the airport we had many guns of all sizes before this campaign, but now many of them are gone—knocked out by artillery. It has completely demoralized many units, reduced many units in strength, and has made many men go crazy. We were awakened at night by the slightest noise, because of the bad state of nerves. At night three men stayed in one foxhole; two smoked while one slept. During the day we also tried to get some sleep by alternating, but the continual artillery fire kept us on edge and we got no rest.’
“‘Even in the two-story dugouts many men were killed just by concussion. A direct hit would kill all the men inside.’
“‘The artillery is the one thing that is universally feared by all our ground troops. It continues over such long periods of time and the rounds come so fast.’
“‘Except for the artillery we could continue our defense.’”