The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-21
laps Hurting
Terrific Fire
At Americans
Gen. Smith Says Battle
Bloodiest In History
OF Corps

U. S. PACIFIC FLEET HEADe
QUARTERS, Guam. Wednesday.
Feb. 21-tRNIwo's biggest prize,
the three-strip Motoyama (Suriba-
Chi bomber field No. One, was
captured on the second morning Of
the invasion Tuesday by American
Marines who hurled back Japa-
nese counterattack and sloshed for
ward on both flanks in the alter
noon against mounting opposition.
Front line reports on today's ac-
ton told of abating but still ac-
tive enemy fire.
Controlling the south third OF the
island, the rain-drenched Leather
necks, advanced 200 yards beyond
the airfield on the north flank
against Nipponese rocket, mortar
and artillery fire.
On the south flank, they attacked
formidable enemy positions Offer
ing stiff opposition from the slopes
of volcanic Mt. Suribachi.
Adm. Chester W. Nimitz issued
separate communicates on the
morning and afternoon develop
ments Tuesday covering action up
until 6 pm.
Although Maj. Gen. Harry
Schmidt's Fifth Marine Corps was
battling for every yard in the most
savage actions of the Pacific war,
they already have achieved one Of
their biggest detectives in captur-
ing the big bomber field, within
$50 miles of Tokyo.
How bitter the battle was is
made clear in Wednesday broad
cast by Bud Foster from the in-
vasion fleet lying off the island.
The NBC war correspondent.
representing the combined Ameri.
can networks, said the invaders
have had no sleep for 48 hours.
Tuesday night the skies over Two
were "ablaze with the almost
constant flash of star shells, trac-
err bullets and the flame from
heavier guns ard mortars, Foster
said.
Through the fitful half light Of
the exploding shells, soldiers could
be seen SQUIRTING from foxhole 10
foxhole, carrying supplies and am
munition."
Foster said enemy fire in some
sectors abated somewhat this
"wednesday morning but it is
still active"
The Japanese used rockets for
the first time yesterday.
Larry Tighe, Blue Network cor.
respondent, said today:
These are tough, willy and ex.
perienced foemen who know every
trick in the book concerning de-
fensive fighting"
At the end of the second day,
the hard-fighting Devildogs had
cut curving line across the south
end of the island, giving them con-
troll of one third of IWo's eight
square miles.
On the southeast coast, this
wedge is more than two miles
wide along the coast. A late report
stated it has been extended for
1000 yards along the southwest
coast.
Perhaps limiting that more salts
factory progress could be expect.
ed, Nimitz said:
"A large portion of our srtille
now is ashore and in position to
support both TANKS of the beach,
head
The Pacific Oceans Area com.
mander, who moved his head.
quarters to Guam only few
weeks before the invasion of Two
said he was unable to estimate
casualties. Earlier, they had been
reported as running from strong
to moderate.
American Warships of the Paci.
flc fleet for the sixth straight day
supported the invasion and car
rler aircraft added the weight a
their bombs and rockets to thu
coordinated assault.
Aleady, Nimitz neported, 5000
tons OF ammunition had been en-.
pended in naval gunfire.
The Warships were standing
close to shore, concentrating
'close-in" fire on caves and other
underground strongpo;nts from
which the Japanese were strafins
The northern end Of the American
oeachhead.
Supplies were pouring ashore
Satisfactorily" Nimitz SAID.
Rains hampered. air cover and
impeded ground action.