7 March - The division continued the attack with a pre-dawn
attack at 0500.  No change in boundary or formation was
prescribed and the 21st Marines, making the main effort, were
assigned the objective of seizing Hill 362 (TA 219-U).  The 9th
Marines were ordered to advance 200 yards during darkness, as a
diversionary measure, prepared to continue the attack at daylight
to the seacoast.  Every precaution was taken to preserve secrecy.
A request, approved by Corps, was made to cease all illumination
just prior to the attack.  No preparation was to be fired. The
division artillery fired harassing fires throughout the night
using white phosphorous, a concentration of white phosphorous
being placed around Hill 362 (TA 219-U) five minutes prior to the
attack.  No mention of a night attack was permitted on radios.
Troops were ordered to move as noiselessly as possible and no
firing was to take place until the attack was definitely
discovered.  The 21st Marines attacked with one battalion,
passing the 3d Bn, 9th Marines through the 1st Bn, 21st Marines.
The 2d Bn, 21st Marines was ordered to hold their position and
attack in conjunction with the 5th Marine Division during
daylight.  The 9th Marines (less 3d Bn) attacked with the 1st and
2d Bns abreast, tank company remained attached to each regiment.
The weather was overcast with light rain at the time the attack
was launched.  The attack achieved complete surprise, not a shot
being fired until it became light, which was about 0630 under the
prevailing weather conditions.  While it was still dark the 9th
Marines reported they had advanced 200 yards without detection
and were ordered to advance another 100 yards.  The 21st Marines
reported the 3d Bn, 9th Marines on the move with no enemy
reaction.  at the first light of day the attack of the 9th
Marines was detected and the 2d Bn, which was inside the enemy
position was taken under fire from the front, flanks, and rear.
The 1st Bn held curled its right flank around the enemy position
and was receiving fire from the front on the right but its left
company was in the same situation as the 2d Bn.  In the 21st
Marines zone of action, the 3d Bn, 9th Marines caught the enemy
asleep in his emplacements and took a heavy toll with flame
thrower and automatic weapons.  The enemy was set back on his
heels in this area and the 3d Bn, 9th Marines made a slow but
steady advance through his position toward Hill 362, reporting
seizure of the hill as of 1330.  The 9th Marines suffered
numerous casualties and were unable to advance beyond their
daylight positions.  The 1st and 2d Bns, 9th Marines encountered
strong enemy resistance around the top of Hill 363.  Mopping up
operations were continued around Hill 362 during the remainder of
the afternoon.  Efforts of the 3d Bn, 9th Marines to make contact
with the 2d Bn, 9th Marines with its reserve company to relieve
enemy pressure on that battalion failed.  This company struck the
right flank of the enemy pocket in front of the 9th Marines, met
stiff resistance and was unable to advance.  Tanks were sent in
to assist the 2d Bn, 9th Marines and succeeded in easing the
pressure.  The 2d Bn, 21st Marines made no progress, since the
5th Marine Division had failed in its attack to clear the high
ground  commanding the zone of action of the 2d Bn, 21st Marines.
This battalion reported it believed no hostile troops to be in
its zone of action, but that further advance took it by the high
ground in the 5th Marine Division zone of action, and every
attempted advance was taken under fire by the enemy on that high
ground.  Until the 5th Marine Division seized this high ground,
further advance by the 2d Bn, 21st Marines would be
impracticable.  At 1700 the situation was as shown on Enclosure B
(16), Situation at 1700, 7 March.  The boundary between regiments
was shifted at 1745 for night defense and the 9th Marines assumed
control of the right sector with all three battalions of the 9th
Marines.  Cos B, 21st Marines remained attached to the 3d Bn, 9th
Marines.  see Enclosure B (17), Situation at 1745, 7 March.  The
21st Marines and 3d Bn, 9th Marines tied their lines in at the
boundary prior to dark.