The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-27
Vital Height
Is Seized By
Leathernecks'
Japs Using Every Type Of
Weapon To Stem Amer
lean Drive

L. 5. PAClFlC FLLcI 1EAD-
QUARTERS, Guam, q Tuesday,
Feb. T.-tPy-Iwo Jima's captured
southern airfield was put to Amer
lean use for the first time Mon
dav while doughty U. S. Marines
advancing up to 400 yards cap
tured an important hill overlook
ing most of the remaining Japa-
nese positions.
Adm. Chester w. Nimitz report
ed today that tWo-seater Marine
observation planes were using Mo-
toyama No. | while Third Marine
Division elements won most Of the
second airfield, Motoyama No. 2,
in the center of the bitterly-con-
tested island.
Use of Motoyama Airfield No.
indicated that fighters soon may
be lying off that major airdrorne,
$50 miles from Tokyo.
Third Division Marines captured
Hill 1872. east of the. central air.
field. Militarily. the hill is as great
prize as captured Mt, Suribachl.
From it artillery observers will be
able TO direct murderous fire on
japanese positions.
Opposition 10 the accelerated
American push increased through
out the day The deeply-entrench-
ed enemy threw heavy rain Of
artillery shells and rockets at the
advancing Yanks in the eighth day
of this fercest fight of the Paci-
fic war.
All but the northeast tip of Mo-
tovama airfield No. 2, tWo-strlp
fighter field, was in American
hands.
The runways on Motoyama No
were being rushed into condl-
ton to accommodate American
fighters and bombers.
Massei Japanese infantrymen,
using every type OF defense, threw
against the advancing Marines
probably the thickest hail OF rifle
and machinegun fire Of the Two
campaign.
Artillery fire and blasts OF the
huge enemy rockets were heavy,
but the high ground OF the cen
trail plateau finally was won and
held by the Third Marines.
The Tourt.. Marine Division cap
tured commanding hill near the
east coast
NImitz said hopping up w S
progressing on southern Two, and
little enemy fire fell on the IN
terror OF our beachhead during the
day"
Admiral Nimitz made no further
mention of the Fifth Fleet carrier
plane strike against the Tokyo
area starting Sunday II was pos
sible the task force still was deep
in enemy waters.
hopping up continued south OF
Captured Mt. Suribachi on the
southern end Of Two.
By 6 pm. yesterday, 1858 jap
anese dead had been counted. Nine
enemy prisoners were taken. This
Was the first mention of prisoners.
Meanwhile, Marine observation
planes landed on the southern Two
Irstrip, captured Tuesday. These
were the first American aircraft
to land on the strategic island only
100 miles south of Tokyo.
The Japanese capital and the
entire homeland island of Honshu
VIII be well within range OF Yank
11sh'ers and bombers flying from
Two.
supplies and equipment continu-
" 10 pour ashore on lWos Uttered
peaches. Road conditions were i'm
proved.
J. Operators bombed Chichi Jima
=. me Eonln Islands, Immediately
The north, hitting oil storage
va vas and shipping. The Palaus,
10y 10y ana Pagan were other tar
to, me central airfield on Two Ono
'S Syalna No. . is the first fighter
No. a'ome within reach of Tokyo to
~ selzed IN the Pacific war.
,ina lnlId, Fourth and Fifth Ma.
s,sa DIVISIONS launched an attack
tb a''a Jay to complete the capture OF
msn nelo' striking after lombard
ican VI enemy positions by Amer
supn ~atsdlps and artillery. :,
baeas p0i yea by naval and land
ovo so aircraft, the Leathernecks
sbo1t the east-west runway and
strip. " '''e 'ioi ''i-Soe''-'
!, Enemy resistance was stiff, as
for was Vas all last week in the fight
tbro ms held. Heavy fighting ragged
si9 the day Adm, MIN f.
d dala IN communioue earlv Mon
way sunday night, u. S. time.