U.S. Navy Department (February 20, 1945)
Communiqué No. 578
Pacific Area.
The YMS-48 has been lost in the Philippine Area as a result of enemy action.
The next of kin of casualties have been informed.
Communiqué No. 579
Pacific Theater.
The PT-73 and PT-338 have been lost in the Philippine Area as the result of grounding. There were no casualties.
The USS PC-1129 has been lost in the Philippine Area as the result of enemy action. The next of kin of casualties have been notified.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 266
United States Marines attacking Iwo Island drove across the southern end of the island by 1800 on February 19 (East Longitude Date) cutting off the enemy strongpoint in Suribachi Volcano from his forces in the north. Resistance in this area was moderate and our forces occupied about 104 yards of the western beach of the island.
During the afternoon of the first day, advance elements of the attacking units expanded their hold on the island’s southern airfield slightly but were meeting stiff opposition there and on the northern flank of the beachhead. Our forces advancing from the east toward the northern end of the field were engaged in heavy fighting.
The northern part of the beachhead was under intense mortar and artillery fire during a large part of the day but it was expanded inland about 250 yards. Unloading of equipment and supplies began on the southern beaches.
Casualties in the south were light but on the open slopes east of the airfield, our forces were being resisted bitterly and casualties were more numerous.
Enemy positions on the island were under heavy naval gunfire, aircraft bombing, strafing and rocket attacks throughout the day.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 267
The United States Marines on Iwo Island moved forward on February 20 (East Longitude Date) against enemy defenses as fanatically defended as any yet encountered in the war in the Pacific.
By 1200 on the second day of the assault, the Marines had taken an area which includes the southern airfield and the ground from the northern slope of Suribachi Volcano to a curving east and west line which crosses the northern ends of the runways and extends from the western beach to the northern anchor of the beachhead on the east side of the island.
At 0230 on February 20, the enemy sent a night counterattack of about battalion strength down the runway of the southern airfield but the 27th Regiment of Marines met it staunchly, broke it up and beat off the remnants. Sporadic artillery and mortar fire fell on the beaches throughout the night but our forces continued to unload supplies.
Fleet units supported the troops throughout the night with illumination and heavy gunfire. Our night fighters drove off several small attempted air raids by enemy aircraft which failed to reach the island.
On the morning of February 20, with strong air and gunfire support, the Marines began the attack which has given us control of the southern airfield.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 268
The Marine Divisions on Iwo Island made slight gains north of the southern airfield on the afternoon of February 20 (East Longitude Date) and by 1800 local time on that date were positions in the face of heavy mortar and artillery fire and some rocket fire.
In the south, Marines attacking Mount Suribachi met stiff opposition.
A large proportion of our artillery is now ashore and in position to support both flanks of the beachhead.
The guns of the Pacific Fleet continued to shell enemy defenses on the island with close‑in fire support concentrated on numerous caves and strongpoints from which the enemy was bringing the northern end of the beachhead under heavy artillery and mortar fire. More than 8,000 tons of ammunition have been expended by naval gunfire thus far in the bombardment.
Carrier aircraft continued their intensive attack on the island throughout the afternoon although their operations were handicapped by rain, low clouds and poor visibility.
Supplies are being placed ashore satisfactorily.
No estimate of casualties is yet available.