Iwo Jima - D+31 to D+35
All of the daily summaries for the Iwo Jima campaign are from the website http://iwojimahistory.com by Ray Backstrom.
(D+31) 22 March 1945
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
CT 26 resumed advance about 1000 with LT 327 attacking down the corridor to the northwest and LT 328 holding only. Tanks took positions in advance of troops and fired flame thrower preparation. Very slow progress was made, enemy resistance being chiefly from inaccessible caves in the cliff crevices. at 1700 Co "A", 5thEngrBn, reverted to control of parent organization.
Casualties - Off, ; 23 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, ; 3 Enl.
Effective strength: 81 Off, 1465 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: Grenade exchanges continued throughout the night all along the front.
Daylight operations: B Co, 5th Pioneer Battalion was attached to LT-228 at 0630. LT's 128 and 228 continued to hold in the positions along the edge of the cliff and supported CT-26 by fire as it advanced down the draw across our front. During the course of the day, LT-327, attacking northwest across our front, made such good progress that LT-128 was able to withdraw two companies from the line. B Co, LT-128, was ordered to mop up behind LT-327. LT-327 reached the road on LT-228's right flank, and at 1905 LT-228 was ordered to send a patrol out to tie in with 327's left for the night. However, LT-327 was forced to withdraw about 75 yards and tied in with the Division Reconnaissance Company attached to LT-128. LT-228's patrol returned. Two tanks and a flame thrower tank assisted LT-228 in reducing the pocket behind its left flank. C Co, 5th Engineer Battalion, reverted from Combat Team Control to Engineer Battalion control. LT-328 continued under CT-26 control. CP's: no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
CT 26 resumed advance about 1000 with LT 327 attacking down the corridor to the northwest and LT 328 holding only. Tanks took positions in advance of troops and fired flame thrower preparation. Very slow progress was made, enemy resistance being chiefly from inaccessible caves in the cliff crevices. at 1700 Co "A", 5thEngrBn, reverted to control of parent organization.
Casualties - Off, ; 23 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, ; 3 Enl.
Effective strength: 81 Off, 1465 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: Grenade exchanges continued throughout the night all along the front.
Daylight operations: B Co, 5th Pioneer Battalion was attached to LT-228 at 0630. LT's 128 and 228 continued to hold in the positions along the edge of the cliff and supported CT-26 by fire as it advanced down the draw across our front. During the course of the day, LT-327, attacking northwest across our front, made such good progress that LT-128 was able to withdraw two companies from the line. B Co, LT-128, was ordered to mop up behind LT-327. LT-327 reached the road on LT-228's right flank, and at 1905 LT-228 was ordered to send a patrol out to tie in with 327's left for the night. However, LT-327 was forced to withdraw about 75 yards and tied in with the Division Reconnaissance Company attached to LT-128. LT-228's patrol returned. Two tanks and a flame thrower tank assisted LT-228 in reducing the pocket behind its left flank. C Co, 5th Engineer Battalion, reverted from Combat Team Control to Engineer Battalion control. LT-328 continued under CT-26 control. CP's: no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
(D+32) 23 March 1945
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
At about 0700 LT 326 relieved LT 327 in the line. Lt 327 reverted to CT 27 and moved to the rear. At about 0900, following preparation by tanks LT 326 and LT 328 resumed the advance. About 600 Co "H" of LT 328 was attached to LT 326 for the purpose of filling a gap existing between left of LT 326 and CT 28 elements. Co "A", 5thEngrBn, no longer attached, continued to support CT 26 elements as needed. The Rocket Section reverted to the 3d Provisional Rocket Det. LT 126 and LT 226 were employed in mopping up and clearing rear area sector assigned to CT 26.
Casualties: 1 Off, 17 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, p; 10 Enl.
Effective strength: 80 Off, 1465 Enl.
28th Marines
Night Activity: The night was quiet on LT-128's front, but D and F Co CP's of LT-228 were attacked by 60 Japs who made a banzai charge up a ravine about 200 yards in back of our lines and in rear of the CP's Fifty of the enemy were killed in the attack and the few remaining alive were destroyed by 1000 the next morning.
Daylight operations: LT's 128 and 228 continued to hold their same positions and support by fire the attack of CT-26 across our front. Lt-326 on our right gained the road running between LT-128 and LT-228 by 1300, thus taking LT-128 off the active front for the first time since 8 March. Further gains by LT-326 enabled LT-228 to withdraw D Co from the line. LT-228 was then ordered to send D Co to mop up behind LT-326. A platoon of tanks and a flame thrower tank supported LT-228 and enabled it to completely destroy the enemy pocket behind its left flank. Approximately 40 enemy were killed. CP's: no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
At about 0700 LT 326 relieved LT 327 in the line. Lt 327 reverted to CT 27 and moved to the rear. At about 0900, following preparation by tanks LT 326 and LT 328 resumed the advance. About 600 Co "H" of LT 328 was attached to LT 326 for the purpose of filling a gap existing between left of LT 326 and CT 28 elements. Co "A", 5thEngrBn, no longer attached, continued to support CT 26 elements as needed. The Rocket Section reverted to the 3d Provisional Rocket Det. LT 126 and LT 226 were employed in mopping up and clearing rear area sector assigned to CT 26.
Casualties: 1 Off, 17 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, p; 10 Enl.
Effective strength: 80 Off, 1465 Enl.
28th Marines
Night Activity: The night was quiet on LT-128's front, but D and F Co CP's of LT-228 were attacked by 60 Japs who made a banzai charge up a ravine about 200 yards in back of our lines and in rear of the CP's Fifty of the enemy were killed in the attack and the few remaining alive were destroyed by 1000 the next morning.
Daylight operations: LT's 128 and 228 continued to hold their same positions and support by fire the attack of CT-26 across our front. Lt-326 on our right gained the road running between LT-128 and LT-228 by 1300, thus taking LT-128 off the active front for the first time since 8 March. Further gains by LT-326 enabled LT-228 to withdraw D Co from the line. LT-228 was then ordered to send D Co to mop up behind LT-326. A platoon of tanks and a flame thrower tank supported LT-228 and enabled it to completely destroy the enemy pocket behind its left flank. Approximately 40 enemy were killed. CP's: no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
(D+33) 24 March 1945
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
At daybreak CT 28 assumed responsibility over the remaining small pocket to be cleared; LT 328 reverted to CT 28 and LT 326 was attached to CT 28. Mopping up and clearing of assigned rear area zone was continued.
Casualties: - Off, 27 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, ; 3 Enl..
Effective strength: 80 Off, 1434 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: The night was generally quiet along the entire front.
Daylight operations: CT-28 (LT-326 attached) was ordered to continue the attack down the draw to the ocean, moving across the front of LT-228. Lt-228 was ordered to support by fire, and as LT-328 moved forward, LT-228's left company was to pivot on its left flank and move west toward the sea in conjunction with LT-328. Tanks from A and C Companies, 5th Tank Battalion, supported both landing teams. Progress was slow, but steady, because roads had to be built for tanks as they could reach the remaining enemy with flame throwers. At the close of the day, LT-328 had reduced the pocket to a small area along the west coast in 250 W and X. LT-128 continued to mop up in the area through which it had moved during the past 15 days. The Division Reconnaissance Company was detached from LT-128 and reverted to Division at 1715. 1 LCI (g) patrolled off the west beach near the enemy pocket during the day. CP's: Lt-328 in 235 G, otherwise no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
At daybreak CT 28 assumed responsibility over the remaining small pocket to be cleared; LT 328 reverted to CT 28 and LT 326 was attached to CT 28. Mopping up and clearing of assigned rear area zone was continued.
Casualties: - Off, 27 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, ; 3 Enl..
Effective strength: 80 Off, 1434 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: The night was generally quiet along the entire front.
Daylight operations: CT-28 (LT-326 attached) was ordered to continue the attack down the draw to the ocean, moving across the front of LT-228. Lt-228 was ordered to support by fire, and as LT-328 moved forward, LT-228's left company was to pivot on its left flank and move west toward the sea in conjunction with LT-328. Tanks from A and C Companies, 5th Tank Battalion, supported both landing teams. Progress was slow, but steady, because roads had to be built for tanks as they could reach the remaining enemy with flame throwers. At the close of the day, LT-328 had reduced the pocket to a small area along the west coast in 250 W and X. LT-128 continued to mop up in the area through which it had moved during the past 15 days. The Division Reconnaissance Company was detached from LT-128 and reverted to Division at 1715. 1 LCI (g) patrolled off the west beach near the enemy pocket during the day. CP's: Lt-328 in 235 G, otherwise no change.
Combat efficiency: 25%
(D+34) 25 March 1945
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
CT 26 (less LT 326 attached CT 28) completed mopping up work. LT 126 and WpnsCo moved to beach WHITE-2 about 1100 and were loaded out to the USS JOHN LAND about 1300. LT 226 moved to beach WHITE-2 about 1300 and was loaded out to the USS JOHN LAND about 1400. The 1st Plat, Military Police Co, reverted to control of parent organization about 1600. At about 1800 LT 326 reverted to CT 26 and assembled awaiting orders.
Casualties - Off, 521 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, 55 Enl.
Effective Strength:: 80 Off, 1388 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: All quiet
Daylight operations: LT-328 was ordered to move its reserve company through I Co LT-326 and continue the attack to the sea. I Co reverted to LT-326 control when passed through. LT-128 and LT-326 continued mopping up rear areas near the pocket. B Co, 5th Pioneer Battalion, was detached from LT-228 and reverted to Division control at 1000. By 1045, LT-328 and LT-228 had reached the sea and offensive operations ceased. All remaining attached units were returned to parent control by 1600. LT's 128 and 228 were ordered to move their troops back to the vicinity of their CP's and continue to police of assigned areas. LT-328 was ordered to move to bivouac area in the vicinity of NISHI village. LT. Col Shepard resumed command of LT-328 at 1800, and Maj Peatross returned to Regimental H&S Company as R-3. CP's: no change
Combat efficiency: 25%
26th Marines
Weather: Clear.
CT 26 (less LT 326 attached CT 28) completed mopping up work. LT 126 and WpnsCo moved to beach WHITE-2 about 1100 and were loaded out to the USS JOHN LAND about 1300. LT 226 moved to beach WHITE-2 about 1300 and was loaded out to the USS JOHN LAND about 1400. The 1st Plat, Military Police Co, reverted to control of parent organization about 1600. At about 1800 LT 326 reverted to CT 26 and assembled awaiting orders.
Casualties - Off, 521 Enl. Returned to duty: - Off, 55 Enl.
Effective Strength:: 80 Off, 1388 Enl.
28th Marines
Night activity: All quiet
Daylight operations: LT-328 was ordered to move its reserve company through I Co LT-326 and continue the attack to the sea. I Co reverted to LT-326 control when passed through. LT-128 and LT-326 continued mopping up rear areas near the pocket. B Co, 5th Pioneer Battalion, was detached from LT-228 and reverted to Division control at 1000. By 1045, LT-328 and LT-228 had reached the sea and offensive operations ceased. All remaining attached units were returned to parent control by 1600. LT's 128 and 228 were ordered to move their troops back to the vicinity of their CP's and continue to police of assigned areas. LT-328 was ordered to move to bivouac area in the vicinity of NISHI village. LT. Col Shepard resumed command of LT-328 at 1800, and Maj Peatross returned to Regimental H&S Company as R-3. CP's: no change
Combat efficiency: 25%
(D+35) 26 March 1945
26th Marines
Subsequent to hostile action in rear area by a force of enemy infiltrators, one company of LT 326 was sent to patrol vicinity of beaches WHITE-1 and WHITE-2 about 0830; results were negative. At about 1230 remainder of LT 326 moved to beach WHITE-2 and was loaded out to the USS GOLDEN CITY about 1300. H&SCo moved to Beach WHITE-2 at about 1330 and was loaded out to the USS GEORGE F. ELLIOTT about 1700. CT 26 CP in the forward area closed at 1130; a rear CP functioned on beach WHITE-2 until the following day.
28th Marines
Night activity: Fourteen enemy were killed attempting to enter the Combat CP during the night, bringing the total number of Japs killed on the perimeter of our defense while on the north end of IWO to forty-three.
Daylight operations: Shortly after dawn a number of enemy attacked the Regimental dump killing two of our men and wounding four.
At 1030, the battered remnants of the 28th Marines held a memorial service in the 5th Division Cemetery for the officers and men who had died on IWO JIMA. At the conclusion of the services, all units moved to WHITE beach and reembarked aboard the USS ZEILIN, USS WINGED ARROW, and the USS HERALD OF THE MORNING for movement to a rehabilitation area.
TOTAL YARDS ADVANCED: 5,600 TOTAL GROUND TAKEN (see overlay attached) TOTAL CAVES CLOSED: 2,880 TOTAL DAYS IN THE LINE: 31 TOTAL PRISONERS OF WAR: 16 *TOTAL ENEMY KILLED: 5,210
On the morning of March 26, thirty-five days after the Fifth Division had landed, it fought off the enemy’s last attack. It was a short battle, but bitter in its intensity. In the pre-dawn darkness the Japs came out of their hiding places in the northern end of the island. That they knew this was to be their last fight was evident by their dress. Some officers, of whom there were many, wore clean white shirts; their swords were highly polished. One Jap was a doctor, others were enlisted medicos. Some carried American rifles and grenades taken from dead Marines.
Once their forces were assembled, they moved stealthily along the western side of Iwo. They came to an area where Army fighter pilots and ground crews were bivouacked southwest of Airfield No. 2. Then all hell broke loose. Fighter pilots awakened to the crackle of gunfire and exploding grenades. The Japs charged into tents, slashing their way forward with their swords and hurling grenades.
It was the Fifth Pioneer Battalion, commanded by Major Robert Riddell, of La Jolla, California, which stopped the Japs. Barefooted and helmetless, the Pioneers scrambled out of their holes to attack with rifles and grenades of their own. One Marine, unable to find his rifle in the semi-darkness, charged off to the attack armed with a screwdriver. When the battle was over the Pioneers counted 196 enemy dead and collected forty swords. Enemy survivors who sought to escape back to their caves were mercilessly hunted down and exterminated with grenades. The cost to the Pioneers was nine dead and forty wounded.
26th Marines
Subsequent to hostile action in rear area by a force of enemy infiltrators, one company of LT 326 was sent to patrol vicinity of beaches WHITE-1 and WHITE-2 about 0830; results were negative. At about 1230 remainder of LT 326 moved to beach WHITE-2 and was loaded out to the USS GOLDEN CITY about 1300. H&SCo moved to Beach WHITE-2 at about 1330 and was loaded out to the USS GEORGE F. ELLIOTT about 1700. CT 26 CP in the forward area closed at 1130; a rear CP functioned on beach WHITE-2 until the following day.
28th Marines
Night activity: Fourteen enemy were killed attempting to enter the Combat CP during the night, bringing the total number of Japs killed on the perimeter of our defense while on the north end of IWO to forty-three.
Daylight operations: Shortly after dawn a number of enemy attacked the Regimental dump killing two of our men and wounding four.
At 1030, the battered remnants of the 28th Marines held a memorial service in the 5th Division Cemetery for the officers and men who had died on IWO JIMA. At the conclusion of the services, all units moved to WHITE beach and reembarked aboard the USS ZEILIN, USS WINGED ARROW, and the USS HERALD OF THE MORNING for movement to a rehabilitation area.
TOTAL YARDS ADVANCED: 5,600 TOTAL GROUND TAKEN (see overlay attached) TOTAL CAVES CLOSED: 2,880 TOTAL DAYS IN THE LINE: 31 TOTAL PRISONERS OF WAR: 16 *TOTAL ENEMY KILLED: 5,210
On the morning of March 26, thirty-five days after the Fifth Division had landed, it fought off the enemy’s last attack. It was a short battle, but bitter in its intensity. In the pre-dawn darkness the Japs came out of their hiding places in the northern end of the island. That they knew this was to be their last fight was evident by their dress. Some officers, of whom there were many, wore clean white shirts; their swords were highly polished. One Jap was a doctor, others were enlisted medicos. Some carried American rifles and grenades taken from dead Marines.
Once their forces were assembled, they moved stealthily along the western side of Iwo. They came to an area where Army fighter pilots and ground crews were bivouacked southwest of Airfield No. 2. Then all hell broke loose. Fighter pilots awakened to the crackle of gunfire and exploding grenades. The Japs charged into tents, slashing their way forward with their swords and hurling grenades.
It was the Fifth Pioneer Battalion, commanded by Major Robert Riddell, of La Jolla, California, which stopped the Japs. Barefooted and helmetless, the Pioneers scrambled out of their holes to attack with rifles and grenades of their own. One Marine, unable to find his rifle in the semi-darkness, charged off to the attack armed with a screwdriver. When the battle was over the Pioneers counted 196 enemy dead and collected forty swords. Enemy survivors who sought to escape back to their caves were mercilessly hunted down and exterminated with grenades. The cost to the Pioneers was nine dead and forty wounded.