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D Plus 25 (D+25) 16 March, 1945 - The Assault of Iwo Jima |
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Page 3 of 6 24th Marines - 16 March, 1945 Orders were received from Division for RCT 24 to assumed control of BLT 3/24 and relieve RCT 23 in its zone at 0800 and to thoroughly mop up and destroy the remaining enemy in the area. BLT 2/24 remained attached to RCT 25. RCT 24 (less BLT 2/24) relieved RCT at 0800. BLT 1/24 was ordered to place one rifle company in position in TA 201 N, S, and the other company in position in TA 202 W, 185 C, H. BLT 3/24 remained in its position astride RJ 116 and tied in with Company A, BLT 1/24. The RCT zone was divided into 2 sectors and each BLT was assigned a sector. Each sector was to be thoroughly mopped up, policed, enemy dead buried, own dead collected, equipment salvaged and open caves closed. An overlay recording all the above information was submitted to RCT 24 by 1600. The mopping up started at 0800 and continued throughout the day. By 1600, 25 enemy had been killed, 35 buried in caves and approximately 30 caves had been sealed. An overlay showing the positions of enemy killed, caves remaining open, routes of patrols and disposition of troops was sent to Division. Units went into designated positions for the night, placing outposts along the coast in TA 185 R and TA 185 E. There was little enemy activity during the remainder of the period.
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