27 February - The division continued the attack with the 4th
and 5th Divisions at 0800.  The 9th Marines, with no change in
attachments, attacked with the same formation previously
employed.  Artillery now available to the division consisted of
the 1st Bn, 12th Marines, placed in direct support of the 9th
Marines, and the 2d Bn, 12th Marines and 4th Bn, 13th Marines,
assigned the mission of reinforcing fires of the 1st Bn, 12th
Marines.  Corps artillery fired a 600 round preparation in
support of the attack from 0715 to 0800.  Fires of the division
artillery were as requested by the 9th Marines.  No progress was
made by the 1st Bn on the right which was taken under heavy
hostile mortar, artillery, and small arms fire.  The enemy was
located in well concealed emplacements on and around the hills at
199-O and 200-P.  The 2d Bn on the left advanced about 150 yards
initially when it was halted by flanking fire coming from the
enemy positions in front of the 1st Bn.  The 3d Bn, 21st Marines
was reverted to the 21st Marines at 1200.  The initial attack
having bogged down, another coordinated attack was launched at
1250 by the 1st and 2d Bns, 9th Marines following a ten minute
preparation by all artillery of the division reinforced by Corps
artillery.  The 2d Bn moved forward rapidly following the
preparation for a distance of approximately 700 yards.  The 1st
Bn seized the hills 200-P and 199-O.  Although the 1st Bn
occupied the hill at 200-P, many enemy troops still remained in
caves in the hill.  Any attempt at advance beyond the hill was
taken under fire from the rear by enemy remaining in the hill.
Mopping-up operations on this hill continued for the next two
days.  Four airstrikes were called for and delivered in support
of the attack, none of them in close support.  Naval guns again
fired on deep targets, beginning at dawn.  At 1700 lines were
consolidated for the night and were as shown on Enclosure B (),
Situation at 1700, 27 February.