U.S. Navy Department (February 26, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 280
Elements of the 3rd Marine Division constituting the center of our lines on Iwo Island advanced about 400 yards through extremely heavy enemy defenses on February 26 (East Longitude Date) seized the high ground of the central plateau and by nightfall brought most of the island’s second airfield into our possession. Fighting along the entire line was very heavy with enemy resistance mounting before our attack throughout the day. Our troops were subjected to artillery and rocket fire and a very heavy volume of small arms fire during the advance. The 4th Marine Division on the east and the 5th Marine Division on the west advanced during the day, the 4th Division capturing a commanding hill near the east coast. The attack by our forces was supported by Marine artillery, naval gunfire, and carrier aircraft.
Mopping-up operations continued in the south, around Mount Suribachi. Little enemy fire fell on the interior of our beachhead during the day.
On February 26, our forces counted 3,568 enemy dead and 9 enemy prisoners in eight days of fighting on Iwo Island.
Marine observation planes, the first U.S. aircraft to land, began operating on the southern Iwo airstrip during the morning while restoration of the runways to operational condition continued.
Supplies and equipment were landed in increasing quantities as road and beach conditions continued to improve.
Carrier aircraft strafed targets in and around Chichi Jima in the Bonins burning one plane on the ground, sinking a small merchant vessel and burning two medium merchant ships. Oil storage facilities were destroyed.
Planes of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing set a building supply dump and fuel storage area afire on Urukthapel in the Palaus on February 25.
Marine aircraft attacked targets on Yap in the western Carolines on the same date.
Army Thunderbolts strafed buildings and defenses on Pagan in the Marianas on February 26, starting two fires.