2 March - The Division continued the attack at 0800 with the
21st Marines (less 3d Bn) (Atchd 3d Bn, 9th Marines, and 1 tank
Co) abreast.  The main effort was on the left and the boundary
between regiments was changed.  The 21st Marines were ordered to
maintain one battalion in regimental reserve, to be committed
only on Division order.  The 9th Marines attacked with the 1st
and 2d Bns, 9th Marines abreast, 1st on the right. The 3d Bn,
21st Marines remained in regimental reserve, occupying a
defensive position.  The 21st Marines attacked with the 1st Bn,
21st Marines and 3d Bn, 9th Marines abreast, 1st Bn, 21st Marines
on the right.  The 2d Bn, 21st Marines maintained its position
and supported the attack by fire initially.  This regiment was
assigned the mission of seizing the high ground TA 235-U.  This
high ground lay beyond the Division left boundary in the 5th
Division zone of action and commanded the left of the Division
zone of action, making seizure of that high ground imperative in
order to maintain the advance of the left regiment.  Authority
was secured from Corps to extend beyond the Division left
boundary to seize this high ground.  The attack was preceded by a
fifteen-minute preparation by the Division Artillery, reinforced
by Corps artillery and by direct support destroyers which fired
on deep targets for 30 minutes.  The preparation was followed by
a rolling barrage which lifted 100 yards every eight minutes for
300 yards.  For situation at 0800, see Enclosure B (9), Situation
at 0800, 2 March.  The 9th Marines made negligible gains against
hostile small arms, mortar, artillery and antitank gun fire.
Tanks were employed in support of the attack employing direct
fire.  One gun and several emplacements were destroyed.  It was
becoming increasingly apparent that the 9th Marines were
confronted by a strong, well organized enemy defensive position.
In the 21st Marines zone of action the 1st Bn, 21st Marines
launched its attack in a column of companies, one the left of the
2d Bn, 9th Marines, from the area TA 218-P, Q with Co C, which
was in that position overnight, leading.   After a small initial
advance, the battalion was definitely stopped by heavy hostile
machine gun and anti-tank gun fire sweeping down Airfield No. 3.
The 3d Bn 9th Marines, effectively supported by tanks firing
direct fire on emplacements, moved steadily forward against
strong enemy resistance and by 130 had secured a foothold on the
high ground around TA 235 U.  The initial attack having come to a
standstill, a new coordinated attack was launched at 1530.  This
attack was preceded by a 10-minute preparation by eight
battalions of artillery, the Division artillery being reinforced
by three battalions of the 13th Marines and one of Corps
artillery.  This was followed by a rolling barrage.  The 21st
Marines had moved the 2d Bn, 21st Marines around the western end
of Airfield No. 3 to a position in rear of the 3d Bn, 9th Marines
in TA 218-A, f from which they were to launch their attack in a
column of companies with the mission of seizing the high ground
in TA 218-D.  The 3d Bn, 9th Marines, made little or no advance,
while Co G, the leading company of the 2d Bn, 21st Marines
advanced a short distance beyond the right flank of the 3d Bn,
9th Marines.  The 9th Marines was again unable to advance.  At
1745 the 1st Bn, 21st Marines , less Co C which was left in
position on the left of the 2d Bn, 9th Marines, was moved to a
position west of MOTOYAMA village where it established a reserve
line.  The situation as the attack came to a halt was as shown on
Enclosure B (9), Situation at 1745, 2 March.  In tying-in for the
night defense it was necessary to withdraw Co G, 2d Bn, 21st
Marines a short distance from its exposed position, and also to
withdraw slightly the 3d Bn, 9th Marines to better ground.  The
enemy was very active and close to our lines in the broken
terrain of the front of the 21st Marines.  Since Airfield No. 3
was covered by enemy fire it was not possible to occupy a
continuous line.  The lines as organized for night defense shown
on Enclosure B (10), Situation at 2000, 2 March.