The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-22
|Yanks Halted
In Tracks By
Fanatical Foe
u. S. Casualties In First 48
Hours Figured At
Over $500

U. S. PACIFIC FLEET HEAD.
QUARTERS, Guam, Thursday,
Feb. 22.-R-A Third Marine di.
vision, increasing the invasion
force to possibly $4,000 men, has
been thrown into the furious battle
for Two to fill gaps caused by cas-
ualties already exceeding $500.
Disclosing the fresh commit.
ments in a communique today,
Adm. Chester w. Nimitz acknow-
lodged that japanese resistance
rose to such high pitch Wednes-
day afternoon, third day of the in.
vasion, that the hardfighting Dew
ildogs virtually were stopped in
their tracks.
The reinforced Leathernecks,
holding a wedge across the south
third Of the island, stormed the
slopes of a volcano on the south
tip with flamethrowers and tanks.
Although unable to advance appre-
ciably, they hurled back a counter
dlIdCk LII Llle V1ClIllIy.
On the north end of the wedge,
Nipponese mine fields and intense
mortar and artillery fire tenn
porarily halted a drive toward an
airfield in the center OF the is-
land.
The Third Marine Division, I'm.
der Maj. Gen. Graves B. Erskine,
reinforced the Fourth Division un-
der Maj. Gen. Clifton B. Gates
and the Fifth under Maj. Gen. Kel-
Ter E. Rockey.
Thus approximately $4,000
Leathernecks may have been COM
mitted to an operation against
Japanese estimated in Navy
communique to have totaled TO-
900 when the island was invaded
Monday.
The Marines, having captured
their main objective, the big Mo-
toyama bomber airfield No. l
Tuesday, were checked during an
enveloping drive toward the is-
lands other airfield to the north.
Intense mortar, artillery n d
small arms fire is being encoun.
tered by our troops and in some
areas extensive mine fields ar
slowing the advance.," Nimitz said.
During the afternoon (Wednes-
day. there was no appreciable
change in our lines" he reported.
"On the south, hamethrowers
and tanks are being used against
well entrenched enemy troops in
the Mt. Suribachi area" Nimitz
added. "A counterattack launched
by the enemy east of Mt. Suribachi
shortly after noon was thrown
back. Numerous land mines have
been encountered in this vicinity.
Four of our tanks were knocked
out of action
The five-star Fleet Admiral,
who earlier disclosed that Marine
casualties up to am. Wednesday
embracing 48 hours Of invasion
activities $500, said in
today's communicate that more
than $50 Nipponese dead had been
counted. He made it clear this was
an incomplete count, made during
the heat of the most bitter battle
yet fought on a Pacific island.
ALI during Wednesday, battle
ships, cruisers and destroyers
poured their shells into enemy
thus building up a
bornbardment total which in the
first six days exceeded 5000 tons.
The all-important battle Of sup
ply was being won. AS new sup.
plies hit the beaches, the admiral
was able to report that mortar fire
on the beach area was diminish
ng.
He added however, that loose
ash was impeding t hi
movement Of equipment. In some
places it prevents the passage Of
particularly heavy stuff
Iwo's No l airdrome was cap
ured the second day of the fam.
ng battle. The Marines are head.
ID presently toward the second one
ONE 700 yards to the north.
The Fifth Marine Division on
he southwest coast is on one flank
+ the two-runway field. The
fourth Division is making a from
al assault after its capture Of the
hree-runway bomber field.
Meanwhile there was no attempt
y Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz'
eadquarters to play down the
oughness Of the fight. The adj
1iraps ccmmunique did not divide
ne casualties, but his report that
,063 wounded have been evacuat-
d indicated the dead totaled some
DO.
Continued on Page Three; Col. 81