BATTLE NARRATIVE operation flintlock

First Battalion, 24th Marines on Namur
February 1944

Namur has been touched by war and there is nothing tropical or lovely left. It looks as though someone with an imagination of his own had tried to make a Hollywood set for Journey’s End. Namur is a dry, hot, fetid version of the worst section of No Man’s Land that France ever had to offer – no living green thing, blasted tree trunks, huge gaping shell holes, disemboweled trucks, heaps of concrete and lumber that were once fortifications. Bodies by the thousands – parts of bodies – so disfigured that they beggar description. Horrible.

1Lt. Philip E. Wood, Jr. A/1/24th Marines

Daily Narrative

Part I

“Not Afraid Of What Is Coming”
Heading For First Combat

Part II

“Christ, This Is It”
The Baptism Of Fire

Part III

“Better Not Shoot Me, You Sonuvabitch”
Night On Namur

Part IV

“Like Hunting Rats”
The Battle Concludes

Part V

“We Had To Bury Those Dead”
Occupation Of Namur

Part VI

“It Is A Sad Voyage Back”
To Camp Maui

Campaign Casualties

Company	Landed	KIA / DOW	WIA	Sick	Total
Headquarters	87	3		1	4 (5%)
Able	189	3	23		26 (14%)
Baker	192	22	34	1	57 (29%)
Charlie	191	2	11		13 (7%)
Dog	204	4	9	1	14 (7%)
Medical	33
Attached Troops (1st JASCO)	48
TOTAL	896	34	77	3	114 (13%)

Notes On This Table
Accounts for casualties sustained between February 1 and February 5, 1944.
Primary data sources are battalion muster rolls and individual USMC casualty cards.
WIA: any wound caused by enemy action, qualifying for a Purple Heart.
(Does not count multiple wounds suffered by individuals.)
Sick: any ailment requiring evacuation that does not qualify for a Purple Heart.
(Does not count individuals who recuperated and returned prior to end of battle.)