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26th Marines

D+9, 28 Feb 45 Weather: Partly cloudy, visibility good CT 26 (less LT 126 attached to CT 27) was in 5thMarDiv reserve in position to support the action of CT 27. At about 1000 LT 226 was also attached to CT 27. Some progress had been made in salvage and replacement of weapons, though considerably more service was needed particularly with respect to BARs, flame throwers and bazookas. Casualties: 3 Off, 43 Enl. Replacements: 4 Off, 42 Enl. Effective strength: 107 Off, 2158 Enl.

At about this point the loss of junior officers and non-commissioned officers began to seriously affect the efficiency of the command.

27th Marines - D plus 9, 28 February, 1945.

At 0150, this combat team's CP received fire of large caliber mortars or artillery causing several casualties. Minor infiltrations were attempted during the night by enemy using only had grenades. Several enemy, wearing Marine Uniforms, were observed throwing grenades into our front lines. Higashi 2720 unit was identified by our right front battalion. In the afternoon, stiff resistance was encountered by our right front battalion.

Snipers in pillboxes, caves, and prepared positions and machine guns, knee mortars, and larger caliber mortars held up our advance. An abandoned enemy CP was found in T.S. 199L, east. The enemy dead reported to date was 1042.

28th Marines

1800, 27 FEBRUARY TO 1800 28 FEBRUARY.

Night Activity: Very quiet.

Daylight Operations: Ordered by Corps to continue mopping up in SURIBACHI area with one battalion. Move one of two remaining battalions in SURIBACHI area to assembly area vicinity 181 GF by 1500. Be prepared to attack in zone of action of 3d, 4th, or 5th Mar Divs.

LT-128 was ordered to move to 181 GF and to reconnoiter routes to front line preparatory to attacking in 5th Mar Div zone of action.

At 1100, LT-328 was released to 5th Mar Div control. LT-227 was ordered to relieve LT-228, and CT-28 was ordered to move to assembly area vicinity 181 QR. Also we were informed that the Combat Team would revert to 5th Mar Div control at 0600, 1 March.

The 3d Plat, 5th MP Co, returned to CT-28 control at 1200.

At 1300, CT-28 opened the new CP in 181 Q.

During the afternoon, LT-227 relieved LT-228 in the SURIBACHI area and LT-228 moved to assembly area in 198 G.

Also during the afternoon Colonel Liversedge and the Battalion Commanders reconnoitered routes to the front lines in the 5th Mar Div zone of action preparatory to relieving CT-27 and going into the attack on 1 March.

A total of nine officers and two hundred eighty-three enlisted replacements from the 27th and 31st Replacement drafts had been received during the past two days and distributed among landing teams.

Location of troops at close of period: LT-128 in 181 P L; LT-228 in 198 G; LT-328 in 181 Q R.

Casualties for period:

KIA & DOW None WIA 2 SK (evac) 1 TOTAL 3

Combat efficiency: 70%