8 March - The division continued the attack at 0750.  A new 
boundary between regiments was assigned for the attack, which was to be 
made with regiments abreast, 9th Marines on the right.  Co B, 21st Marines 
remained attached to the 9th Marines, each regiment had one tank company 
attached, and the 3d Reconnaissance Co remained attached to the 21st 
Marines. This company now in reserve position in the vicinity of RJ-330 (TA-218-H).  
The attack was preceded by a ten-minute preparation by the division artillery, 
reinforced by Corps Artillery, which was followed by a rolling barrage lifting 100 
yards every seven minutes for 200 yards.  Direct support destroyers fired a 
preparation from 0730 to 0800.  The 21st Marines continued the attack with the 
1st and 2d Bns, 21st Marines abreast, 1st on the right.  The 2d Bn, 21st Marines was 
ordered to regulate its advance on that of the 5th Marine Division.  Little 
advance was made by the 21st Marines which was held up by flanking fire 
delivered from the 5th Marine Division and 9th Marines zones of action whenever 
an attempt was made to move down to the cliff overlooking the beach.  Little 
resistance was believed to be in their front.  The 9th Marines attacked passing 
the 3d Bn, 21st Marines, which had been attached to them, through the right of 
the 1st Bn, 9th Marines and Co C, the left company of the 1st Bn, 9th Marines had 
been closely engaged with the enemy since the night attack, and where 
engaged in mopping up the enemy still remaining in their rear.  Co C could not 
be disengaged and the 1st Bn, 9th Marines, less Co C, was withdrawn into 
division reserve west of MOTOYAMA village.  The 3d Bn, 9th Marines advances 
some 400 yards beyond Hill 362 toward the beach opposed by bitter but 
disorganized resistance.  An air strike was conducted by this battalion against 
enemy AA and mortar positions in TA 219-R and W.  The 3d Bn, 21st Marines 
attacked to flank the pocket which had been holding up the 9th Marines with 
direction of attack generally north, but made no progress.  The action in the 9th 
Marines zone of action was of the indian fighting type, from sandstone butte to 
sandstone butte.  The hostile resistance in the area of the pocket was located in 
caves and emplacements in the sandstone and included antitank guns and well 
concealed, dug-in tanks, light and medium, mounting 37mm and 47mm guns.  
At 1800, the situation was as shown on Enclosure B (18), Situation at 1800, 8 
March.   The lines of the 21st Marines and the 3d Bn, 9th Marines were tied in at 
the boundary for the night, but no contact existed between the 3d Bn, 9th 
Marines and either the 2d Bn, 9th Marines or 3d Bn, 21st Marines.