In the middle of a banana patch badly mauled by shelling, bombs and gunfire, Marines dig in and establish their position.###
THE FINAL BEACHLINE
On the 28th, the 9th Marines moving south fought their way to the top of Mount Chachao.
"It had become increasingly evident that the principal Japanese battle position now lay along the Fonte-Chachao-Tenjo Ridgeline..." . . . Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam
"On Mt. Chachao, the Japanese had constructed a concrete emplacement in the center of the summit, with a series of foxholes and machine-gun positions nested in the surrounding cliffs to protect it. Circular gun pits at either end of the crest guarded the trail running across the ridge and leading down the slope. Manned by a company of troops, the Mt. Chachao fortification was formidable." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam
With artillery fire, American tanks, and hand grenades, the crest was taken. The 9th Marines made contact with the soldiers of the 77th Division on top of Mount Tenjo. After eight days of fighting, the two beachheads were firmly linked up.
The positions on the Mount Tenjo ridge were then held until the 31st of July while Orote Peninsula was secured and the American line was organized to swing east across the island. Concurrently, reconnaissance patrols were made of southern Guam by the 77th Infantry Division from 28 July to 2 August.
"Five patrols of about five men each, with native guides, would penetrate six miles each way south and east of Alifan into unknown territory." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division
These patrols determined that there was no organized Japanese resistance in the south and that the Japanese had withdrawn to the north.
"Approaching Ylig the scouts met a small group of Chamorros, who greeted them joyfully and reported that many Japanese troops were to the north but that only small groups of 10 or 15 were still in the southern area." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division
After the defeat at Fonte, Japanese General Takashina ordered a general retreat to established positions along a Dededo to Barrigada line. Upon the death of Takashina, General Obata assumed command of the remaining Japanese forces and continued to follow the defensive plan of Takashina.
source
On the 28th, the 9th Marines moving south fought their way to the top of Mount Chachao.
"It had become increasingly evident that the principal Japanese battle position now lay along the Fonte-Chachao-Tenjo Ridgeline..." . . . Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam
"On Mt. Chachao, the Japanese had constructed a concrete emplacement in the center of the summit, with a series of foxholes and machine-gun positions nested in the surrounding cliffs to protect it. Circular gun pits at either end of the crest guarded the trail running across the ridge and leading down the slope. Manned by a company of troops, the Mt. Chachao fortification was formidable." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam
With artillery fire, American tanks, and hand grenades, the crest was taken. The 9th Marines made contact with the soldiers of the 77th Division on top of Mount Tenjo. After eight days of fighting, the two beachheads were firmly linked up.
The positions on the Mount Tenjo ridge were then held until the 31st of July while Orote Peninsula was secured and the American line was organized to swing east across the island. Concurrently, reconnaissance patrols were made of southern Guam by the 77th Infantry Division from 28 July to 2 August.
"Five patrols of about five men each, with native guides, would penetrate six miles each way south and east of Alifan into unknown territory." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division
These patrols determined that there was no organized Japanese resistance in the south and that the Japanese had withdrawn to the north.
"Approaching Ylig the scouts met a small group of Chamorros, who greeted them joyfully and reported that many Japanese troops were to the north but that only small groups of 10 or 15 were still in the southern area." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division
After the defeat at Fonte, Japanese General Takashina ordered a general retreat to established positions along a Dededo to Barrigada line. Upon the death of Takashina, General Obata assumed command of the remaining Japanese forces and continued to follow the defensive plan of Takashina.
source
cont'd in post below
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