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Page 4 of 5 25th Marines - D plus 15, 6 March 1945. The night of 5-6 March was quiet. Div Op Or No. 15-45 ordered RCT-25 (Div Reconn Co attached) to continue mopping up operations on the partially by-passed pocket, to hold its position on its right and to conform to the advance of RCT-24 on its left. K?hour was set at 0800 with 4th Mar Div to continue attack at K plus 60. At 0900 BLT-1/25 started to extend its right flank and by 1600 had pushed to the east side of Turkey Knob (SW cor 184-F). On the left of BLT-1/25 no advance was made since RCT-24 on the left did not move its right flank. The Prov Bn continued mopping up operations on the pocket and in the gap between BLT-1 and BLT-2, using flamethrower tanks, medium tanks, and 75 mm halftracks. BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25 remained in position throughout the day improving their positions. There was a considerable increase in the volume of enemy mortar and rocket fire in the left sector over the previous day. This fire was particularly heavy during the K plus 45 to K plus 81 artillery preparation. The resistance in the zone of BLT-1/25, although less than that previously encountered, was still heavy, especially to the east of Turkey Knob. At 1700 units were ordered to consolidate and dig in for the night. Firm contact was established prior to darkness. 26th Marines D+15, 6 Mar 45 Weather: Clear and warm. About 0730 LT 227 passed through LT 126 then accomplished relief of LT 226 at about 1130. Lt 226 assembled in CT reserve. Lt 126, following an artillery preparation, jumped off at 1245; Lt 326 was to jump off when LT 126 had reduced a strong point on their left which enfiladed the zone of LT 326. Negligible progress was made to this date due to failure to break down the extremely strong cave positions in very rough ground that existed on the left of LT 126 zone. Contact with CT 27 on the right was maintained without difficulty as their plans called for pivoting action about their left flank. At this stage of operation heavy demolitions work by engineers on large caves began to assume a vital part in all advances. Casualties: 1 Off, Replacements 6 Off, 165 Enl. Returned to duty: 1 Off, 10 Enl. Effective Strength: 107 Off, 2167 Enl.
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