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26th Marines

D+20, 11 Mar 45 Weather: Clear. LT 326 reverted to CT 26 at about 0800. At about 0830 LT 226 was relieved by elements of CT 28, CT 28 taking over that sector. At about 1100 LT 226 passed through LT 126 and became attached to CT 27, LT 126 reverting to CT 26. CT 26 (less LT 226) assembled in 5thMarDiv reserve. At about 1000 platoons of Co "A" 5thEngrBn, resumed normal attachments to LTs. During previous 10 days' action enemy identifications indicated that CT 26 had been opposed chiefly by 3rd Bn, 145 Infantry, and elements of 204th Construction unit. Casualties 4 Off, 44 Enl. Replacements: - Off, ; 2 Enl. Returned to duty: 4 Off, 10 Enl. Effective Strength: 93 Off, 1966 Enl.

27th Marines - D plus 20 11 March, 1945

The enemy shelled our front lines and rear areas with heavy artillery for about 2 hours beginning at 0020. Some of the shells were smoke shells while others were air bursts. These guns were destroyed. Small infiltration attempts were reported during the night and there were frequent exchanges of small arms fire. The enemy continued to use small arms fire at point-blank ranges to check our advance. Occasional pillboxes and blockhouses were encountered but, for the main part, caves continued to be the principle defense installations. One blockhouse in T.S. 235L was in T.S. 235L was merely chipped by 18 rounds of 75mm fire. It appears certain that the enemy was using our M1 rifles and machine guns in their defense. AT 2100, definite infiltration attempts on the right flank of our lines were repelled. In one of our 81mm mortar positions 7 enemy troops were killed. One of these men was dressed in a Marine Uniform and carrying an M1 rifle. The others carried only hand grenades. There was no identification. The enemy dead reported to date was 1401.