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| D Day, 19 February, 1945 |
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Page 9 of 9 28th Marines D-Day 0900 to 1800, 19 Feb. CT-28 (less LT 328) landed on beach GREEN-1 at 0902, LT-128 in assault. Covering naval gunfire and air bombardment enabled the assault waves to land and clear the beach rapidly with moderate casualties. The assault waves were preceded by a wave of 11 LVT (A)s which upon landing took positions on the left flank of the beach and protected the incoming waves by firing on enemy positions at the base of SURIBACHI. LT-228 landed at 0935 and went into position facing south on the line R-A. By this time mortar and small arms fire was increasing on the beach. Colonel Liversedge and the advance echelon of the Combat Team CP landed with the 10th wave and established the CP in 147 Y. At 1035, Lt. Frank Wright of B Co, LT-128, and a few men reached the west side of the island. In it's rapid advance across the island, LT-128 had become disorganized, and at this time it was clear that another landing team would have to be committed on the right of LT-228 in order to launch an attack south to seize Mt. SURIBACHI. Consequently, at 1039, LT-328 was released to CT-28 control, and ordered to land at 1210. When LT-328 landed there was a marked increase in enemy mortar and small arms fire and many casualties were suffered in crossing the beach. A patrol, with radio, from the R-2 Section operated on the right flank of CT-28 during the advance across the island with mission of reporting contact between CT-28 and CT-27. Contact was maintained until the high north-south ridge-line was reached and CT-27 turned north in its attack up the island. C Co, 5th Tank Bn, was ordered to land on beach RED-1 at 1145. Upon landing the tanks were attached to LT-128 and assisted in mopping up behind LT-128 and knocked out enemy emplacements that were holding up its advance. Five tanks were put out of action by mines on the third terrace inland from GREEN-1. The 75mm Plat, Regimental Weapons Co, in the 6th wave lost one halftrack as it was leaving the LCM. The front wheels became enmeshed in barbed wire laid just below the water line. Attempts to putt the halftrack out were unsuccessful and it was lost for the remainder of the operation. The remainder of the halftracks moved to the left flank of GREEN-1 and delivered heavy fire on pillboxes and caves from which intense mortar and small arms fire was being delivered into the exposed left flank of the Combat Team. The two 37mm Plats attached to LT-128 and LT-228 succeeded in crossing the beach although one gun and weasel were lost debarking from the LCM and one gun and weasel were destroyed by mortar fire on the beach. No wheeled vehicles were able to cross the beach. They mired in the soft sand and became easy targets for mortar fire. The Rocket Detachment attached to CT-28 lost three trucks on the beach before being able to launch a single rocket. The one remaining rocket truck fired several barrages on the base and north side of SURIBACHI. From 1100 to 1600, E Co. was attached to LT-128 and assisted in mopping up by-passed enemy positions. At 1600, E Co. returned to Combat Team Reserve. At 1545 LT-228 and LT-328 were ordered to attack south and seize SURIBACHI. Negligible advances were made against strong opposition. Captain Mears, commanding B Co. and Captain Roach, commanding C Co, were severely wounded and evacuated during LT-128's advance across the island. The Combat Team CP moved to 147S northwest at 1800. LT-128 CP at 147R east. LT-228 CP at 147W northeast. LT-328 CP at 147Y center. Front lines at close of period were on R-A, 132 I center, 147 P southeast, 147 G center. Casualties for period Supporting units for the period Off. Enl. Combat efficiency -85% |
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