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Page 3 of 4 24th Marines - 4 March, 1945 Small groups of enemy attempted unsuccessfully to infiltrate through the lines of BLT 3/24 and sporadic enemy mortar and small arms fire were received along the front from 0001 until dawn. The Division order was received and RCT 24 was ordered to continue the attack in its zone of action at 0730. RCT 24 was to attack with BLT 3/24 on the left, BLT 2/24 in the center and BLT 1/24 (Less Company A) on the right. Company A remained in rear of BLT 2/24 as RCT Reserve. All attachments remained the same. Division Artillery reinforced by NGF and Corps Artillery fired a preparation for the attack from 0715 until 0745. The attack jumped off on time but very little progress was made. The attack continued throughout the day against heavy enemy resistance. AT 1500 a coordinated attack was made with RCT 23 but very little advance was made. When the lines were consolidated at 1750 the largest gain made in the RCT sector was only 100 yards. Heavy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire had been received throughout the day and RCT 24 had received heavy casualties. No air support was received during the day due to weather conditions. Artillery and NGF fired as much as possible with their limited ammunition. Flame thrower tanks were used to good advantage against caves and other enemy positions. Little enemy activity occurred during the remainder of the period. 25th Marines - D plus 13, 4 March 1945. RCT-25 (less BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25) remained in Div Res. Co B was relieved from the line at 0730 by RCT-23 and reported to the assembly area of BLT-1/25 at 0930. Co A, 4th Engr Bn continued to build and improve roads and blow caves in the rear of BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25. BLT-1/25 continued reorganization, rehabilitation and rest. 26th Marines D+13, 4 Mar 45 Weather: Intermittent rainfall, visibility poor. CT 26 attacked at 0730 with 3 LTs abreast to seize a very limited objective, with LT 127 passing through the right company of LT 226. Plans called for LT 126 to be relieved and to revert to CT 26 reserve, however, this was not accomplished until 1730. About 1030 an uncoordinated counter-attack against LT 126 was broken up by effective close-in artillery fires. Tanks and half-tracks were employed effectively against enemy cave positions in the center. CT 26 CP displaced forward. At 2100 a counter-attack of undetermined size appeared to be developing on the front of LT 226. This activity was reported broken up at about 2120, after artillery and rocket barrages were brought down. Casualties 6 off, 205 Enl. Returned to duty - Off, & 7 Enl. Effective strength: 104 Off, 2049 Enl.
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