12 March - At 0700 mopping up operations were continued in
the 9th Marines zone of action.  The 1st and 3d Bns, 9th Marines
continued their advance to the west until stubborn resistance was
encountered near the crest of the ridge overlooking the sea
coast.  This resistance was mostly in front of the 1st Bn, 9th
Marines.  Little advance was made during the remainder of the
day.  The contour of the enemy pocket which had held up the 9th
Marines was now apparent.  The 3d Bn, 21st Marines continued its
mopping up operations and though some caves and emplacements were
knocked out, no great advance was made.  This enemy pocket was
located on a slope below the crestline to the east and the one to
the south and was commanded by ground occupied by our troops.
however the terrain of the pocket was extremely broken,
consisting of numerous sandstone buttes and there were many caves
and well concealed emplacements in the area.  Hostile positions
should not be identified until our troops were practically on top
of them.  for a detailed sketch of the defensive organization of
this pocket, see Enclosure A (4), sketch, final Defenses 126th
Tank Regiment.  On the left of the division, in accordance with
Corps Order, the 1st Bn, 21st Marines extended its line into the
5th Marine Division zone of action along the top of the cliff
overlooking the beach in rear of the right of the 5th Marine
Division in order to protect the right flank of that division.
No artillery was fired in the division zone of action.  The 12th
Marines again reinforced the firing of the 13th Marines in
support of the attack of the 5th Marine Division.  At 1800 the
situation was as shown on Enclosure B (22), Situation at 1800, 12
March.