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23rd Marines - DOG PLUS TWENTY-TWO, 13 MARCH, 1945

The enemy was inactive during the night within RCT 23 zone of action. At 0700 mopping-operations, burial of enemy dead, salvage and police of the zone of responsibility was in progress. Co L (3/23) passed to control of 3/24 in order to effect the relief of Co K (3/23). The relief was completed by 1730, Co K then reverting to parent control. By 1600, mopping-up and police of the RCT zone of responsibility was 95 % completed. All units of Co D, 4th Engr Bn, were detached from units in the forward area, and were assembled under parent control in the vicinity of the RCT CP. Orders were issued assigning rear assembly areas for RCT units when relieved from the line. During the day BLT 2/23, in assembly was altered to be prepared to move its remaining elements to establish a rear RCT security line at 200 WXY in the event of any large scale infiltration through the forward positions of the 3d Marine Division. Considerable small-arms fire from friendly troops in the 3d Division zone fell in the area physically occupied by our own units. Activity in the vicinity of the RCT CP at 182 continued quiet.

24th Marines - 13 March, 1945

Orders were received to continue the mopping up operations, burying enemy dead, collecting of own dead and policing of assigned areas. BLT 3/24 and BLT 2/24 remained attached to RCT 23 and RCT 25 respectively. BLT 1/24 remained in Corps Reserve until 0800 when it reverted to RCT 24. RCT (less BLT 2/24 and BLT 3/24) remained in Division Reserve and continued to clean up TA 182. Patrols were sent throughout the area but found no enemy. Reconnaissance of forward areas was continued. No enemy activity occurred in the RCT area during the period.

25th Marines - D plus 22, 13 March, 1945.

Activities during the nigh were limited to a few infiltration attempts and some light mortar fire. The attack by RCT-25 (BLT-2/24 and Div Recon Co attached) was continued at 0700 in accordance with Div Op Or No. 22-45 with BLT-2/25 making the main effort. Resistance was still very strong and consisted chiefly of mortar fire and intense MG fire from well camouflaged pillboxes. BLT-2/25 was able to make slow progress on both its right and its left for gains of 50-75 yards, but its center was unable to move. At 1130, Co L was detached from BLT-3/25 and attached to BLT-2/25 and was immediately placed in the center of the line relieving Co E, however, further progress was made in the afternoon. BLT-1/25 and BLT-3/25 continued to place all types of fire to their front while trying to locate and knock out the mortars firing on BLT-2/25. A flamethrower tank was used throughout the day to support the attack of BLT-2/25, firing up the draws that it was able to reach from the beach road. During the day small groups of the enemy were frequently seen moving from position to position and a large number of them were destroyed; the resistance, however, still remained very heavy. Both light and heavy mortars fire continually fell on the lines of BLT-2/25 throughout the day causing heavy casualties. Co C was moved from its reserve position behind BLT-2/25 to a secondary line behind BLT-2/24 at 1600. When the flamethrower tank made its final run of the day and fired up one of the draws inland from the beach road, it caught a large number of enemy in the open. Of this group of enemy at least 75 were killed by the flame and MG fire from the tank, and by fire of BLT-1/25 when they ran out of the draw.