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24th Marines - 3 March, 1945

Very little enemy activity occurred during the hours of darkness. Division Operation Order 12-45 was received and RCT 24 with RCT 23 on its right was ordered to continue the attack in the southeast direction at King-Hour minus 75 (0630). No artillery preparation would precede the attack. All attachments remained the same. The attack jumped off at 0630 with BLT 3/24 on the left, BLT 2/24 in the center and BLT 1/14 on the right. Initial gains of 100 yards were made by the right of BLT 2/24 and the left of BLT 1/24. The remaining units of Company L, BLT 3/24 (RCT Reserve) were committed on the RCT left flank to relieve a company of RCT 9 which was supposedly in our sector. 22 casualties were received while effecting this relief. The attack continued throughout the day against heavy enemy resistance. By 1500 BLT 2/24 had pinched out Company A of BLT 1/24. Company A then became RCT Reserve. At 1700 the lines were consolidated for the night. Gains had been made along the entire RCT sector with the largest of approximately 350 yards being made by BLT 2/24. HILL 382 had been secured. Company A, BLT 1/24 (RCT Res) was moved into the zone of BLT 2/24 to give the BLT depth. Contact with RCT 9 on the left and RCT 23 on the right had been maintained throughout the day. Two air strikes had been made in support of the RCT attack. Artillery and NGF placed observed fire on enemy targets. Defensive fires and illumination were provided for the night. Sporadic enemy fire and activity continued along the front until the end of the period.

25th Marines - D plus 12, 3 March 1945.

In accordance with Div Op Or No. 12-45, RCT-23 relieved RCT-25 in its zone of action commencing at 0500. BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25 remained in the line and were attached to RCT-23. BLT-1/23 relieved BLT-1/25 (less Co B, which remained in position on the south of the gap); BLT-3/23 reverted to control of RCT-23; RCT?25 (less BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25) closed in Div Res in TA 182-W at 0830. Co B remained under control of BLT-1/25 but was ordered by Div to remain in position on the south of the gap until such time as RCT-23 could effect its release. This was not accomplished until the following day. BLT 1/25 commenced reorganization and rehabilitation.