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Page 3 of 5 25th Marines - D plus 23, 14 March, 1945. During the night of 13-14 March, 1945, activity by the enemy constricted in the zone of RCT-25 consisted principally of knee mortar and hand grenade fire and some infiltration attempts in the zone of BLT-3/25. The infiltration was beaten off by hand grenades and no enemy was able to penetrate our lines. At 0500, adjustments were made in the line to put relatively fresh troops in the attack. Co C relieved Co I, Co I and Co K relieved Co G, and Co E relieved Co L. From left to right the units on the line were then: BLT-2/25 with Co E and Co F, with Co G and Co A (attached) in reserve; BLT-3/25 with Co E and Co F, with Co G and Co A (attached) in reserve; BLT-3/25 with Co K and Co I, with Co L in reserve; BLT 1/25 (less Co A) with Co C and Co B; BLT-2/24 with Co G and Co F. This relief was completed by K-hour (0630) and the attack of RCT-25 (BLT-2/24 and Div Recon Co attached) jumped of with BLT-2/25 and BLT 3/25 making the main effort. The RCT Comdr supervised the shifting of troops from the BLT-1/25 CP and then moved up to direct the attack from the BLT-3/25 CP Forward CP. The advance was slow against very stiff opposition and by 1500 the center of the line had only been able to gain but 50-75 yards. BLT-2/25 suffered particularly heavy casualties from both small arms and mortar fire. At 1500, BLT-2/24 the only fresh and strong force left, was ordered to pull out of its position astride the beach road and to relieve the left elements of BLT-2/25. This relief was ordered to take place by 1630 and the attack continued at 1700 but, due to the heavy fire on the front lines from the front and from a position to the left rear, behind the lines in the area of RCT-23, the relief was not totally completed until after dark. A Prov Co composed of R/W Co personnel and a group from Reg H&S Co, and the 81mm Mortar platoon of BLT-1/25 was organized and ordered to take up the defensive position astride the beach road that had been vacated by BLT?2/24. The Div Recon Co was ordered to take up positions on a secondary defense line behind the Prov Co and to protect the beach against any enemy attempting to make a counter landing on the RCT right flank. Co A of BLT-1/25 was detached from BLT-2/25 and attached to BLT-2/24 for use as a Res Co. (Flamethrower tanks were used throughout the day in burning draws inland from the beach road). At 1700, when it was seen that the relief of BLT-2/25 by BLT?2/24 would not be completed prior to dark, all units were ordered to dig in and consolidate their positions for the night. All units reported being completely tied in at 2300 when contact was finally made with RCT-23 on the left.'
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