Record by Roy C. Hilton, Bataan Supply Situation March 21-April 9, 1942, May 5, 1943
Title
Record by Roy C. Hilton, Bataan Supply Situation March 21-April 9, 1942, May 5, 1943
Subject
Description
Supply report written by Hilton as a Colonel in the G.S.C. at Bataan, Philippines on May 5, 1943.
Creator
Source
A2010.26
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Relation
Roy C. Hilton Collection
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/838
Date Valid
Audience
Text
[Page 1]
May 5, 1943
Bataan Supply Situation
March 21-April 9, 1942.
1. Class I Supplies. On March 21st, subsistence for personnel was estimated as 25 days of 1/2 ration which would have lasted until April 15th. However, extra issues for 4 days to build up combat troops to meet enemy attack up April 3rd, brought down subsistence level to meet requirements through April 11th, only. About 500 carabao were slaughtered and included here.
Forage for animals was exhausted about March 25th. Prior to this date animals were in poor condition due to insufficient amount of food for daily consumption. Animals including 26th Cav. mounts were slaughtered for food for personnel.
2. Motor Fuels, & lubricants. Motor fuels were rationed by Command Control beginning as early as Feb. 1st. On March 21st there were about 90,000 gals. of motor fuels of all octanes. Low octane was most critical, therefore high octane gas, including aviation gas were mixed with kerosene and low octane gasoline to increase amount of low octane gas. Daily consumption was limited to 3,200 gals. per day for all purposes (except diesel oil). About 600 gals of diesel oil was used daily for construction of airfields and tunnels. Diesel oil also was exhausted by April 8th.
Motor lubricants and greases were very limited. Cylinder oils had not been changed in cars since about Feb. 1st. Greases were scarce and quite insufficient. Motor transportation was therefore in poor condition. Parts for repair were lacking. Tires and greases were exhausted by Apr. 5th.
3. Clothing & Equipment. These items were exhausted prior to March 21st - except for a very few odd items of clothing. Mosquito nets, shelter [illegible], blankets, and raincoats were exhausted. Combat troop in most cases had neither raincoat, blanket nor shelter half. Supply of mess equipment for individuals was exhausted.
(over)
[Page 2]
4. Medical Supply - Evacuation.
Supply of medicines and comforts for the sicks including blankets were quite insufficient. Quinine for prophylactic purposes in a malaria area was exhausted prior to March 21st. Diarrhea and malaria in some units incapacitated as high as 44% of the personnel. On account of shortage of gasoline, it was impracticable to evacuate sick personnel from combat units in the battle position to hospital. (Hospitals were also overcrowded).
5. Engineers - Signal - C.W.S. and other supplies
Signal wire, batteries - gas masks and such equipment were far below ordinary requirements of replacements. Wire was completely exhausted prior to 21 March.
Engineer equipment was highest in amounts to meet requirements. However, construction material to prepare for rainy period was insufficient. Shortage of gasoline limited engineer road construction and maintenance to below minimum requirements to prepare for rainy period.
6. Ordnance Supplies.
On account of the irresponsibility of the P. Army, rifles and automatic weapons were abandoned without reason. This condition caused a shortage of automatic weapons. Small arms ammunition and artillery ammunition - at rate of fire used during whole campaign - was sufficient for an additional 30 days, or more.
7. Destruction of supplies. All supplies, artillery pieces, automatic weapons, tanks & heavy construction vehicles were ordered destroyed prior to the surrender on April 9th. This destruction was carried out on a large scale. Only rations, motor vehicles, and low octane gasoline (about 6000 gals) were left undestroyed.
Roy C Hilton
Col. G.S.C. - Asst C. of S., G-4.
May 5, 1943
Bataan Supply Situation
March 21-April 9, 1942.
1. Class I Supplies. On March 21st, subsistence for personnel was estimated as 25 days of 1/2 ration which would have lasted until April 15th. However, extra issues for 4 days to build up combat troops to meet enemy attack up April 3rd, brought down subsistence level to meet requirements through April 11th, only. About 500 carabao were slaughtered and included here.
Forage for animals was exhausted about March 25th. Prior to this date animals were in poor condition due to insufficient amount of food for daily consumption. Animals including 26th Cav. mounts were slaughtered for food for personnel.
2. Motor Fuels, & lubricants. Motor fuels were rationed by Command Control beginning as early as Feb. 1st. On March 21st there were about 90,000 gals. of motor fuels of all octanes. Low octane was most critical, therefore high octane gas, including aviation gas were mixed with kerosene and low octane gasoline to increase amount of low octane gas. Daily consumption was limited to 3,200 gals. per day for all purposes (except diesel oil). About 600 gals of diesel oil was used daily for construction of airfields and tunnels. Diesel oil also was exhausted by April 8th.
Motor lubricants and greases were very limited. Cylinder oils had not been changed in cars since about Feb. 1st. Greases were scarce and quite insufficient. Motor transportation was therefore in poor condition. Parts for repair were lacking. Tires and greases were exhausted by Apr. 5th.
3. Clothing & Equipment. These items were exhausted prior to March 21st - except for a very few odd items of clothing. Mosquito nets, shelter [illegible], blankets, and raincoats were exhausted. Combat troop in most cases had neither raincoat, blanket nor shelter half. Supply of mess equipment for individuals was exhausted.
(over)
[Page 2]
4. Medical Supply - Evacuation.
Supply of medicines and comforts for the sicks including blankets were quite insufficient. Quinine for prophylactic purposes in a malaria area was exhausted prior to March 21st. Diarrhea and malaria in some units incapacitated as high as 44% of the personnel. On account of shortage of gasoline, it was impracticable to evacuate sick personnel from combat units in the battle position to hospital. (Hospitals were also overcrowded).
5. Engineers - Signal - C.W.S. and other supplies
Signal wire, batteries - gas masks and such equipment were far below ordinary requirements of replacements. Wire was completely exhausted prior to 21 March.
Engineer equipment was highest in amounts to meet requirements. However, construction material to prepare for rainy period was insufficient. Shortage of gasoline limited engineer road construction and maintenance to below minimum requirements to prepare for rainy period.
6. Ordnance Supplies.
On account of the irresponsibility of the P. Army, rifles and automatic weapons were abandoned without reason. This condition caused a shortage of automatic weapons. Small arms ammunition and artillery ammunition - at rate of fire used during whole campaign - was sufficient for an additional 30 days, or more.
7. Destruction of supplies. All supplies, artillery pieces, automatic weapons, tanks & heavy construction vehicles were ordered destroyed prior to the surrender on April 9th. This destruction was carried out on a large scale. Only rations, motor vehicles, and low octane gasoline (about 6000 gals) were left undestroyed.
Roy C Hilton
Col. G.S.C. - Asst C. of S., G-4.
Collection
Citation
Hilton, Roy C., 1892-1950, “Record by Roy C. Hilton, Bataan Supply Situation March 21-April 9, 1942, May 5, 1943,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed April 19, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/838.