U.S. Navy Department (February 18, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 262
Battleships’ gunfire damaged defensive installations including three heavily casemated coastal guns knocked out and probably three more damaged during a heavy bombardment of shore defenses on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on February 18 (East Longitude Date). The island was under fire of heavy units of the United States Pacific Fleet throughout the day. The bombardment of Iwo Jima on February 16‑17, and 18 was under the immediate tactical direction of RADM W. H. P. Blandy, USN.
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet damaged sixteen small ships and barges at Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands on the same date. Four planes were damaged on the ground by strafing attacks and three aircraft at the island seaplane base were strafed. Our planes met intense anti-aircraft fire.
Bombing from low altitude Seventh Army Air Force Liberators operating under the Strategic Air Force attacked airfield and defense installations on Iwo Jima on February 17 setting large fires. Anti-aircraft fire was intense.
StrAirPoa Liberators and Navy search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One attacked the airdrome on Marcus Island on February 18.
On the same date, aircraft of the same forces attacked airfields of the Truk Atoll meeting only two enemy fighters which were not aggressive.
Corsairs of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and damaged a pier, warehouses and other targets on Babelthuap in the Palaus on February 16.