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27th Marines - D plus 11 2 March, 1945

This combat team continued to be division reserve. A dog-tag of Miya 7837 unit was found. This unit was not identified. A number of enemy machine guns and other infantry weapons were captured by our units which are at present in division reserve.

At 2130, there was a FLASH RED. No planes appeared in our area. Enemy dead reported to date was 1047. 28th Marines

28th Marines

1800, 1 March to 1800, 2 March.

Night Activity: Sporadic enemy mortar fire during the night.

Daylight Operations: Ordered by Division to continue the attack to O-3 at 0800.

The attack jumped off on time with LT's in the same position on the line as of 1 March. The scheme of maneuver was for LT-128 and LT-228 to attack around the right and left of sides of Hill 362, and join on the north side. LT-328 was to continue up the west coast on LT-228's left.

An Anti-tank ditch ran perpendicular to the hill across the open area to the north of it, thereby making it impossible to get tanks into position where they could support the infantry. An armored dozer was brought up and made a passage through the ditch at about 1300 enabling a platoon of tanks to get through. At the same time a company of LT-228 rushed across the open area to the next cliff line to the north where LT-228 would contact LT-128. All broke loose and the company suffered heavy casualties from fire coming from the cliff line to the north, the cliff line on the north side of Hill 362, and a blockhouse on the flat ground in front of and to the east of 362.

At 1400, Lt. Col Johnson, commanding LT-228 was killed and Major Pearce took command. Major Finch of Regimental Weapons Company was transferred to LT-228 as Executive Officer.

At 1530 a local counter-attack was launched against LT-128, but was repulsed with 149 Japs being killed.

By late afternoon LT-228 had squeezed out H Co, of LT-328, on the left. H Co, was moved to an area just north of Hill 362 as CT reserve.

By 1700 most of the enemy had been destroyed on and around 362. LT-328 had made steady gains on the left and the lines for the night were on D-A on the left and 50 yards shot of D-A on the right.

At 1010, LT-328 reported the enemy using a greenish yellow gas which caused the men to vomit and left them with severe headaches for about two hours afterwards. The gas was fired from 50mm mortars, and as soon as a few gas shells exploded, H. E. was apparently fired with the idea of spreading the gas more rapidly and also killing our men as they ran to escape the gas. A complete report was made to Division.

CP's: LT-128 in 199 B, LT-228 in 216 P, LT-328 in 198 O.

 Casualties for period: Supporting units for period

OFF ENL

KIA & DOW 2 57 2 destroyers, 1 LC(S) WIA 2 183 2d Bn, 13th Marines SK (evac) 11 B & C Co's, 5th Tank Bn. TOTAL 4 251

Combat efficiency: 60%