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23 Marines - DOG PLUS ELEVEN, 2 MARCH, 1945

The only evidence of enemy activity during the night in the RCT area was an occasional round of mortar or light artillery falling outside the perimeter of the assembly area. At about 2315, Division Operation Order 11-45 was received, assigning a continuation of reserve status to the RCT less BLTs 2/23 and 3/23. Instructions based on this order were issued verbally to the lower units of RCT prior to 2400. 2/23 remained as VAC reserve at TA 165 BC, and 3/23 remained attached to RCT 25 with no change in the assignment of companies from the previous day. Co K remained under 3/23 control and continued mopping-up operations of the cliffline at 183 INO. The same attachments of tanks and 75 mm Halftracks were assigned for use of Co K in this area. Despite the fact that sniper was intense and extremely accurate, considerable progress was made in reducing the enemy resistance. Small local counterattacks of groups of six to seven Japs were encountered and were systematically destroyed. Anti-sniper patrols were maintained in the rear areas, and the caves in the vicinity of 183 QR were completely mopped up by the use of War Dogs and engineer demolition teams. BLT 1/23 executed reconnaissance of routes of approach to the zones of action of RCT 24 and RCT 25, prepared to move on thirty minutes notice in support of either RCT in the Division zone. There was no change in CP or units areas.

24th Marines - 2 March, 1945

Sporadic enemy fire was received along the front from 0001 until dawn. Orders were received from Division to continue the attack at King-Hour (0800) with RCT 25 remaining on the right of RCT 24. RCT 24 changed the boundaries between BLTs in order to change the direction of attack to the southeast and thus attack down the corridors instead of across them. The RCT was to attack with BLT 3/24 (less Company L) with 4 tanks attached on the left, BLT 2/24 with 4 tanks and the 2d Sec, 1st Provisional Rocket Detachment attached, making the main effort in the center and BLT 1/24 on the right. BLT 1/24 would be pinched out as the others progressed and then moved to an assembly area. Company L, BLT 3/24 remained in RCT Reserve. 3/14 reinforced by 2/14 was in direct support of RCT 24. An artillery preparation preceded the attack. The attack jumped off at 0800 but little progress was made initially because of heavy mortar, automatic weapons and rifle fire. Small gains were made throughout the day all along the line except in the vicinity of HILL 382 where the bitter opposition continued. By 1700 when units were ordered to consolidate for the night the left flank of BLT 2/24 and the right flank of BLT 3/24 had advanced approximately 300 yards. one platoon of Company L was committed in the zone of BLT 3/24 to fill a gap in the line. There was a small enemy counterattack during the early part of the night in the zone of BLT 2/24. Approximately 30 enemy were killed and the remainder of the period was quiet.