FROM 1800 , 26 FEB 45 TO 1800, 27 FEB 45 (D PLUS 8)

	(a)	Although ordered to consolidate at 261700, RCT's 23 and 25 
encountered considerable enemy opposition before effecting security for the 
night.  Mortar and machine gun fire harassed the entire front until about 2100.  
Firm contact was eventually established between the RCT's and with the 3d 
Division.  Activity during the night consisted of enemy mortar and artillery 
fire on the front and rear areas, particularly on Division artillery positions.  
Small arms firing continued throughout the night. Attempted infiltrations by 
small parties all along the front were repulsed.  AT 0535/RCT 23 reported a 
probable counter-attack forming in TA 201 QV.  The distinct sound of tanks was 
heard and a resulting smoke screen indicated that it was laid by the tanks.  
Artillery fire in this area, dispersing the possible counter-attack.

	(b)	Normal night missions fired by fire support ships included harassing 
fires and illumination.

	(c)	Following a coordinated VAC LANFOR-Division-Naval Gunfire 
preparation from King minus 45 to King-hour, the Division continued the attack 
at King-hour, 0800, in accordance with VAC LANFOR Order No. 7-45, to capture O-
2.  formation and boundaries - no change.  Line of Departure - front lines at 
King-hour.

	(d)	RCT 23, with BLT's 1/23 on the left, 3/23 on the right, and 2/23 in 
reserve, continued the attack on schedule, but was unable to advance.  Smoke was 
employed by this RCT from King minus 30 to King minus 10 to cover reorganization 
and movement of front line companies.  Resumption of the attack, following a 
short preparation from 1200 to 1230, resulted in only a short advance of about 
100 yards on the left of the sector.  Two (2) enemy tanks, emplaced as pillboxes 
in the recesses of Hill 382, greatly retarded the advance but were finally 
destroyed with bazookas.  Although troops reached the top of Hill 382, they were 
forced to with draw to consolidate on more favorable ground at 1700.  Hill 382, 
one of the most vital terrain features in this area, was made up of a series of 
deep fissures or crevices which blended well into the scheme of the Japanese 
defense.  It was envisaged that the capture of this terrain-freak would be 
costly and a time-consuming job.

	(e)	RCT 25, with no change in formation since the last period, continued 
the attack at King-hour.  In order to bypass and isolate a pocket of resistance 
in TA 184 F, BLT 1/25 on the left, withheld its advance/until BLT 3/23 had 
advanced sufficiently to permit BLT 1/25 to enter the zone of RCT 23.  Since BLT 
3/23 was unable to advance until quite late in the day, no appreciable gain was 
made.  Company "B" 2d Armored Amphibian Tractor Battalion, was attached to this 
RCT for the period; Company "A" reverted to Battalion control.

	(f)	RCT 24, less 3/24 continued in Division Reserve.  On Division order 
one (1) company of this RCT was alerted in its assembly area to be on call to 
RCT 23, and was attached to RCT 23 at 1530.

	(g)	14th Marines.  There was no change in the assignment of artillery 
since the last period.  Preparation, call, and counter-battery fires were 
delivered as requested.  Ten (10) rounds of propaganda leaflets were fired in TA 
201 E.  Sound ranging operated with VAC LANFOR and Division Artillery and Flash 
Ranging with Division Artillery.

	(h)	4th Tank Battalion.  Company "A" was attached to RCT 25 and Company 
"B" to RCT 23.  Company "C", which was attached to RCT 23, reverted to Battalion 
control.  AT the end of the period 32 tanks were operational, 11 destroyed, and 
13 damaged.

	(i)	Aviation.  CTG 52.2 and CTF 94 provided air support of King-hour 
call strikes and a nine (9) plane B-24 (9-500 pound bombs per plane) strike at 
1500.  One (1) Division observer flew tactical missions for the 5th Division.

	(j)	The 726th SAW Squadron covered the approach to VMO-4 from the 
carriers.  VMO-4 planed flew in from the USS SAGINAW BAY and the USS MAKIN 
ISLAND arrived at Airfield No. 1 at 1630.  One (1) VMO-4 plane was lost while 
being launched from LST 776.  AT the end of the period VMO-4 had eleven (11) 
pilots ashore, and seven (7) planes were operational.

	(k)	Naval Gunfire.  CTF 54 continued normal day and night missions.

	(l)	4th Engineer Battalion.  The construction of roads was continued.  
The construction of revetments for VMO-4 planes was interrupted by the presence 
of enemy mines.  Six (6) water distillation plants were operational on Yellow 
Beaches.

	(m)	Combat Efficiency was reduced to 50%.

	(n)	Weather was fair and visibility was good.