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24th Marines - 9 March, 1945

The enemy activity increased throughout the night. An attempt in some force to penetrate the lines was made in the sector of Company L, BLT 3/24 on the RCT left flank. Small groups attempted to break through at various other places in the RCT sector. All attempts to break through were repulsed and the majority of the attackers were killed. There were 253 enemy dead counted along the front lines in the RCT sector at daylight. heavy mortar, machine gun and rifle fire continued until dawn. Orders were received from Division to continue the attack at King-Hour (0700). Both BLT 3/24 and BLT 1/24 were unable to jump off on time. BLT 3/24 had to mop up remnants of the enemy from the night attack that were in its immediate vicinity and BLT 1/24 had to reorganize. At 0730 BLT 3/24 jumped of after a five minute artillery preparation. The resistance met was considerably less than had been met previously. BLT 1/24 reorganized into 2 rifle companies and attacked at 1300, making small gains against strong enemy resistance. The advance, once started, continued slowly but steadily in the face of increasing resistance, except on the right flank where the resistance was still strong. 4 air strikes, artillery and NGF supported the attack throughout the day. When the units consolidated at 1700 a gap of approximately 150 yards existed between BLT 3/24 and RCT 23. This gap was filled by RCT 23. The left flank of RCT 24 had advanced approximately 500 yards and the right flank had advanced about 200 yards. Very little enemy fire was received during the remainder of the period.