iwojimahistory.com

On March 1st at 1645 the 1st Bn 9th Marines passed through the 3d Bn 21st Marines, the right battalion of that regiment, and began an action which might be called the second phase of the 9th Mar action. Here commenced the attack on a strongly fortified enemy position manned by an estimated Inf battalion less one company (145th Inf) plus tanks. The enemy had organized an area of roughly 600 by 600 yards, the center of which appeared to be about at 201-D and E, or 1000 yards due east of the village of MOTOYAMA. In this area the enemy resisted savagely to the last man for sixteen days. He fought from well concealed caves dug deep into rock; from large bunkers each protected by mutually supporting pillboxes which were in turn protected by rifle pits, and from deep pits dug straight down 15 to 40 feet into the earth. At 1645 on 1 March the 1st Bn passed through the lines of the 3rd Bn 21st Marines and made small gains before being stopped by small arms fire from concealed positions to the front and right front. The Regtl front line at the time was about 500 yards East of MOTOYAMA running north and south and was of some 300 yards frontage. This pint may be said to be the outer defense of the enemy strong point just described.