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D Plus 22 (D+22) 13 March 1945 - The Assault of Iwo Jima |
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Page 3 of 4 26th Marines D+22, 13 Mar 45 Weather: Clear. CT 26 (less LT 226) continued in 5thMarDiv reserve. At about 1600 LT 326 occupied a forward assembly position in readiness for action in the zone of CT 27. LT 226 reverted to CT 26 at about 1800, CT 26 assuming responsibility for their sector of the front. Casualties: 1 Off, 43 Enl. Returned to duty: 1 Off, 6 Enl. Effective strength: 94 Off, 1861 Enl. 27th Marines - D plus 22 13 March, 1945 Opposition was slightly different than on the previous day. Fewer pillboxes were encountered and fewer previously prepared positions. Machine gun fire is cleaning out some of the remaining pillboxes. Several concealed blockhouses have been revealed as artillery uncovers the dirt covering of these. The majority of installations now encountered are those hastily constructed during the night. These hastily constructed pillboxes appear about every 30 yards. Knee mortar, rifle and machine gun fire is encountered. fire is delivered from close range and is quite effective. At night, a group of 30 enemy troops attempted to infiltrate our lines on our right front. Most of these were killed. Small infiltrations on the left battalion sector were broken up by mortar fire. The enemy dead reported to date was 1647.
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