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27th Marines - D plus 2 21 February, 1945

During the night one or two enemy troops infiltrated the lines of the unit on our right and stabbed several men. Much enemy activity in front of our lines was reported at 1500 and a normal artillery barrage was laid down.

Our right flank received heavy resistance and artillery fire from T.S. 198M,N,O,R, and W. This front line unit reported increasing cave activity in their zone of action. Naval gunfire destroyed two enemy artillery pieces on tracks in T.S. 199F.

A large communication cable running north and south and buried some 3 1/2 feet underground was cut during the day. this cable was believed to have been used as communication line between the enemy units on Mt Suribachi and those in the northern part of the island.

Our tank units reported having found booby-trapped saki bottles and terra cotta mines in T.S. 164A. One of our reserve unite reported booby-trapped enemy equipment in shell holes and fox holes in T.S. 164G, northeast.At 1445, our troops reported having seen about 24 enemy troops committing suicide by leaping from the cliffs in the vicinity of Airfield #1. The enemy dead reported to date was 505. 28th Marines - D+2 1800, 20 February to 1800, 21 February.

Night Activity: Heavy mortar and artillery fire continued throughout the night in our sector. The enemy shot up several white and amber pyrotechnics from SURIBACHI, which we later found were signals for artillery to fire from the north end of the island.

Daylight Operations: CT-28 was ordered by Division to continue attack at 0825.

There was still enough distance between our lines and the base of SURIBACHI for air strikes, naval gunfire, and artillery. A 40 plane strike with bombs, rockets, and strafing was executed prior to K-hour. This strike was brought within 100 yards of the front lines at the closest point. This was the closest strike to our lines during the entire operation and was concentrated in an area inaccessible to tanks. This strike was brought so close because the enemy positions holding us up were very near the front lines; also it was thought that the advance of our lines during the day would preclude further use of air.

Prior to K-hour LT-128 was given a one company front on the right of LT-328; otherwise, boundaries and objectives remained the same.

As of D+1, tanks were unable to make K-hour and no advances were made until they arrived. The tanks assisted greatly in knocking out pillboxes and blockhouses and the infantry was able to bore through the main defenses in front of the mountain. After repulsing a small counterattack shortly after noon, LT-28 reached the base of SURIBACHI on both coasts at 1500.

At 1600, nineteen machine gunners from the Motor Transport Bn., with 7 LMG's reported to CT-28 and were divided and sent to LT-128 and LT-328. They remained with the two landing teams for two days and were returned to their parent organization.

Units commenced consolidation at 1630.

Front line; 132 V,Q,L,F south; 131 J,N. CP's; LT-128 moved to 132 A.

Casualties for period Supporting units for the period

Off. Enl.
KIA & DOW 34 2 destroyers, 2 LC(S).
WIA 11 142 3d Bn, 13th Marines,
SK (evac) 9 C Co, 5th Tank Bn.
TOTAL 11 185

Combat efficiency: 75%