14.  FROM 1800, 3 MAR 45 TO 1800, 4 MAR 45  (D PLUS 13)

	(a)	The hours of darkness for this period were relatively quiet.  Some 
medium mortar fire fell on the front lines and occasional sniper fire harassed the 
troops in the front lines. Rear areas were quiet.  At 0355 there was an attempted 
infiltration in front of BLT 3/24, but it was repulsed with no casualties.  Four (4) DD's 
provided illumination during the night, but no harassing fires were fired because 
of limitations imposed by the location of the front lines.

	(b)	Following a VAC LANFOR artillery preparation from King-hour minus 
35 to King-hour, joined by a Division preparation from King-hour minus 15 to king-
hour plus 15, and Naval Gunfire from King-hour minus 10 to King-hour, the Division 
continued the attack at King-hour 0730, in accordance with VAC LANFOR Order 
No. 12-45, to capture O-2, prepared to continue the attack.  Formation and 
Boundaries - no change.  Line of Departure - front lines at King-hour. The main 
effort of the attack was made on the left, resulting in slight gains during the 
morning. A second coordinated attack was launched at 1500, but this also 
resulted in the gain of only a few yards.

	(c)	RCT 24, on the left, with BLT's 3/24, 2/24, and 1/24 in line, from left to 
right attacking generally in a south-easterly direction in order that the direction 
of the attack would be parallel to the corridors, made only slight progress during 
the day.  This RCT was able to employ the tanks during the day against pillboxes 
and caves, and the results obtained, particularly from the flame thrower tank, 
were satisfactory.  The RCT used 2200 pounds of demolition in blowing cave 
entrances and exits.  At the close of the period, and when consolidation was 
ordered at 1700, this RCT had established contact with units on its right and left.

	(d)	RCT 23, on the right, with BLT's 1/23, 2/25, 3/25 in line from left to 
right, and with BLT 3/23 in reserve, made short gains in the zone of BLT 1/23 and 
held on the remainder of the front.  BLT's 2/25 and 3/25 could have advanced 
within their zones, but such an advance was not deemed advisable because it 
would have overextended the lines.  The terrain in from of this RCT was the most 
difficult yet encountered; observation was limited to only a few feet, and it was 
impossible to support the attack with anything heavier than normal infantry 
weapons.  Detachments of BLT 3/23 were employed throughout the period in 
reducing the area of resistance in TA 184 F.  Upon consolidation at 1700, contact 
was established with RCT 24.  BLT 2/23 remained in VAC LANFOR Reserve.

	(e)	RCT 25, less BLT's 2/25 and 3/25, remained in Division Reserve.

	(f)	14th Marines.   There was no change in the assignment of the 14th 
Marines.  Air observation was hindered during the period because of a very low 
ceiling.  Twenty-one (21) fire missions were conducted for Division Artillery, and 
VAC LANFOR Artillery was fired when targets required heave weapons.  No 
targets were reported by sound ranging during the period.  The total number of 
missions fired was 480.

	(g)	4th Tank Battalion.  There was no change in the assignments.  At 
the end of the period thirty-two (32) tanks were operational, thirteen (13) 
damaged, and eleven (11) destroyed.

	(h)	Aviation.  Air support was cancelled because of inclement 
weather.  VMO-4 flew six (6) tactical observation missions at the request of the 
frontline units.

	(i)	Naval Gunfire.  Elements of CTF 54 continued to support the attack.  
Throughout the day call fires were placed in TA's 185, 186, 219 and 202.  Spotters 
generally employed ships on direct fire missions because of poor visibility.  One 
(1) DD and one (1) gunboat worked up the coast covering TA's 185 and 202 with 
40mm and 5" fire.  A special mission was fired in TA 185 G with an OY-1 plane 
spotting. Five (5) direct hits were reported and the target destroyed.  Two (2) 
DD's, one (1) CA, and one (1) gunboat fired for the Division throughout the day.

	(j)	4th Engineer Battalion.  Company "A" was attached to RCT 25.  The 
1st Platoon reverted to company control in the Division Reserve area.  The 2d 
platoon continued working on caves in TA 184 S.  The 3d Platoon blew caves 
and removed booby traps in TA 184 X.  Company "B" was attached to RCT 24 
and Company "C" to RCT 23.

	(k)	Combat Efficiency was estimated to be 45%.

	(l)	Weather and Visibility.  Rain and misty throughout the day, low 
overcast with visibility limited to 800 yards in rain squalls.