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Page 3 of 5 25th Marines - D plus 24, 15 March, 1945. The enemy, probably realizing its hopeless situation and constricted by continued pressure, attempted to come through the lines of BLT-1/25 and BLT-3/25 during the night in grater force than on previous nights. At 2200, approximately 25 japs tried to walk in column through the lines of BLT-3/25; they were killed. BLTs reported extensive infiltration attempts and hand grenade and small arms skirmishes took place throughout the night. No naval gunfire illumination was provided during the night. The attack of RCT-25 (BLT-2/24 and Div Recon Co attached) jumped off at K minus 60 (0630) with BLT-2/24 making the main effort. All BLTs were ordered to maintain contact but at 1100, when BLT-2/24 had been unable to move its right flank, orders were issued for BLT-2/25 and BLT-3/25 to attack the beach road regardless of contact. BLT-3/25 moved out rapidly and by 1430 reached the beach road making an advance of over 200 yards. As BLT-3/25 moved forward, its right flank moved across the front of BLT-1 and when BLT-3/25 reached the beach road, BLT-1/25 had been completely pinched out. BLT-2/25 made slower progress than BLT-3/25 but pushed its right flank to the beach road at 1600. As BLT-2/25 moved forward Co A (attached to BLT-2/24) was committed on the right flank of BLT-2/24. Co A and Co F, the left company of BLT-2/24, were both to attack on either flank of Co G, the right company of BLT-2/24, and by-pass the strong point in front of Co G. This was started at 1400, but the move was not successful and a juncture was not made between Co A and Co F. At 1600, Co B of BLT-1/25 was ordered attached to BLT-2/24 for use as a reserve, since BLT-2/24s reserve had been committed. BLT-1/25 (less Cos A and B) was ordered into a reserve position in TA 184-H at 1630. At 1800, units were ordered to dig in for the night.
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