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Page 2 of 5 23rd Marines - DOG PLUS NINETEEN, 10 MARCH, 1945 The enemy was relatively quiet during the night, and only minor activity was reported by the front-line units. For the first time there was no enemy mortar or artillery fire in the RCT zone. At King-Hour (0800) BLT 3/24 was attached, and RCT 23 took over the left sector of RCT 24, in which 3/24 had been operating and was then in the line. The attack was continued with 2/23 and 3/24 abreast, 3/24 on the right. 1/23 remained in RCT reserve in rear of 2/23 prepared to support the attack, and mopped-up caves in the rear areas. 3/23 (less Cos I and L, and with Cos E and F attached) continued in VAC reserve. On the left, considerable progress was made against light resistance in the nature of rifle fire from the cliff-line along the left (Division) boundary. On the right, 3/24 advanced slowly, encountering small pockets of stubborn resistance in caves and sniper positions in the deep fissures along the broken ridge lines to the front. After steady pressure during the day considerable progress was made, and favorable positions were occupied along a general line 400 to 600 yards inland from the beach. In the right of the RCT zone, the right company of BLT 3/24 was retarded by strong resistance along the RCT boundary. In the left BLT zone, the left company (G) had encountered little resistance, and had pushed forward over 200 yards. Here it had been forced to halt, since the adjacent units of the 3d division on its left had been unable to advance onto the high nose along the Division boundary. The cliff on the south side of this nose loomed on Co G's left, and any further advance would have cause dangerous exposure on its flank. Security for the opened flank had been obtained by establishing a platoon from Co C (1/23) on commanding ground at 202 F. In order to flank the stubborn positions on the high nose and to the north of it, one 3d Division BLT (1/9) was sent around behind 2/23. After some adjustment of positions, this BLT attacked to the north, but was stopped at the foot of the cliff at TA 202 FGM. 1/9's inability to secure this commanding position prevented the advance of 2/23 to the coast, but at 1500 a patrol was sent to the coast in the vicinity of TA 186 A. By 1700, this patrol had returned without encountering any enemy personnel or active installations. During the day the whole of Co C, 4th Engr Bn, had been attached to BLT 2/23 for heavy demolitions work on cave positions and for clearing mine fields along the roads in the BLT zone. Operating from these roads, the tanks of Co C, 4th Tank Bn delivered effective fire in support of the attack of 1/9. During the afternoon 3/23 was released from VAC reserve to RCT control, and it assembled in RCT reserve in vicinity of the sugar refinery at 201 K. Preparations for the night were initiated about 1600, with two platoons of Co A, 1/23 being attached to 3/24 to assist in securing a gap in depth it had created on its right. Sewing-up was expeditiously effected being completed by 1700.
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