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25th Marines - D plus 18, 9 March 1945.

At 2000, on the night of 8?9 march the Prov Bn reported small patrols of the enemy working along its front and at 0500 several groups of the enemy attempted to infiltrate through the lines of the Prov Bn. The enemy groups worked across the whole front of the Prov Bn and several of the enemy succeeded in reaching the left flank in TA 183?I and placed or threw mines on the 37mm prime movers in that area. No damage was done and none of the enemy succeeding in penetrating the lines. At daylight, 36 enemy dead were counted by the Prov Bn. Minor infiltration was attempted in the zones of the other BLTs and sporadic mortar fire fell on the front lines during the night.

Div Op Or No. 18-45 ordered a continuation of the attack with K-hour at 0700. BLT-2/24 was attached to RCT-25 (Div Recon Co attached) at 0500 and at 0600 relieved BLT-3/25 in its zone of action and BLT-3/25 was detached from RCT-25 and reverted to Div Res. Co F, BLT-2/25 (RCT Res) relieved Co L, BLT-3/25, which had been assigned to the Prov Bn. BLT-1/25 on the left made no movement until 1400 when BLT-1/24 on its left was able to move forward 50 yards; the left of BLT-1/25 moved forward accordingly. Throughout the day flamethrower and medium tanks were used on the right of BLT?1/25s zone and in the gap by the Prov Bn. During the day a warning order was received from Div giving the boundaries and scheme of maneuver for the following day and appropriate plans were made and orders issued to BLTs. At 1545, the Prov Bn was disbanded and BLT-2/25 was assigned its mission. Co F BLT-2/25 and Div Recon Co were attached to BLT-2/25. Turkey Knob, which had been used as an artillery and mortar registration point by the Japanese, was ordered by the RCT Comdr to be blown down and during the day Co A, 4th Engr Bn succeeded in carrying out this mission.