28 February - At 0815 the 21st Marines, with the 3d Tank Bn
and the 81mm mortar platoons of the 9th Marines attached, passed
through the 9th Marines and continued the attack with the 1st and
3d Bns abreast, 3d Bn on the right, making the main effort on the
left.  The attack was preceded by a 30 minute preparation by the
division artillery, reinforced by Corps artillery, which was
followed by a rolling barrage which lifted 100 yards every seven
minutes for 700 yards.  The 1st Bn on the left advanced
approximately 500 yards when it was stopped by hostile mortar and
small arms fire.  The 3d Bn on the right advanced rapidly,
closely following the rolling barrage.  About midday the attack
had bogged down.  The 3d Bn, 9th Marines was attached to the 21st
Marines at 1200 and, by Corps order, the 4th Bn, 13th Marines was
released to the 5th Division.  At 1300, following a five minute
preparation by the division artillery, reinforced by Corps
artillery, a coordinated attack was again launched by the 1st and
3d Bns.  The 1st Bn was unable to advance, but the 3d Bn, closely
following the rolling barrage which lifted 100 yards every seven
minutes for 200 yards, advanced rapidly and seized the village of
MOTOYAMA and the high ground overlooking Airfield No. 3.  The
advance of the 3d Bn caused a gap between the left of the 3d Bn
and the right of the 1st Bn, and the 2d Bn, 21st Marines was
ordered to attack in the gap at 1530, following  a five minute
preparation and behind a rolling barrage, and flank the
resistance holding up the 1st Bn.  Owing to heavy fire received
as it moved up to the line of departure, the 2d Bn was unable to
launch its attack on time and consequently was unable to closely
follow the rolling barrage.  Slight progress was made in this
attack.  The 9th Marines initially supported the morning attack
of the 21st Marines with machine guns and small arms until the
fire was masked.  When the advance of the 21st Marines permitted
disengagement of the 9th Marines, they moved into a reserve
position south of Airfield No. 2.  Five air strikes were
delivered, all on deep targets.  Direct Support destroyers fired
in all preparations with the division artillery, deepening the
fires of the artillery. At 1700 the situation was as shown on
Enclosure B(5), Situation at 1700, 28 February.