T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

TO: Commanding Officer, District of Matagalpa.
 
   Report of Combat Night Patrol,
     8th Company, 5th Regiment, USMC
       Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
         1100-17 April 1928.

STRENGTH:  1 officer and 8 enlisted.
Leader  :  Captain William W. Aiken, USMC.
Mission :  To destroy or capture enemy should he appear in the Town of CHAHUITILLO, NICARAGUA.
Time of departure: 1700, 16 April 1928.
Route : MATAGALPA-DARIO Road, via Truck and return.
Time of return: 1100, 17 April, 1928.

Information Reported: Upon arrival 1/2 mile north of CHAHUITILLO Patrol disembarked from truck and without the  knowledge of natives proceeded to a position on high ground, 100 yards North of MATAGALPA- DARIO Road and above Town of CHAHUITILLO. This location afforded an excellent ambush position should the enemy enter or leave town and would entirely cut off his retreat. During the period covered by this report patrol kept constantly on the alert for the arrival of enemy and none appeared. Patrol returned to MATAGALPA in accordance with instructions.
 
REMARKS: From observations at daybreak 17 April 1928, it was found that the Town of CHAHUITILLO has approximately 15 houses,  population unknown, largest group of houses in the Southern part of town, all within an area of 1 mile. Should future night patrols be ordered to CHAHUITILLO and where the area is not known by the Patrol Leader, the following is offered as a suggestion: house on MATAGALPA-DARIO Road; that patrol disembark march NORTH to within 100 yards SOUTH of Cross road, at last house on MATAGALPA-DARIO Road.

This location I consider ideal to lay in wait for the enemy to enter or leave town, it being impossible for him to enter or leave town without being seen, even though the night might be very dark.

/s/ W. W. AIKEN

127/43A/20