U.S. Navy Department (March 2, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 285
Attacking in the center of the enemy lines, the 3rd Marine Division drove a salient seven hundred yards deep into enemy positions and captured Hill 362 on Iwo Island on March 2 (East Longitude Date). Smaller advances were made in other sectors. The attack was launched after bombardment of enemy areas by Marine artillery, naval guns and carrier aircraft, and it was met by intense small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire. The 5th Division beat off a counterattack in its zone of action.
A total of 7,127 enemy dead had been counted by 1200 on March 2. Prisoners of war total 32.
Destruction of enemy caves and strongpoints on Iwo Island is continuing. Restoration of the southern Iwo airfield is proceeding.
During the night of March 1, carrier aircraft made bombing and rocket attacks on Omura town and on the airfield on Chichi Jima in the Bonins, causing an explosion and fire. Seventh Army Air Force Liberators operating under the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed targets on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima on March 1.
Navy Search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed airfield installations on Wake Island on March 1.
Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing Corsair fighters continued neutralizing enemy-held bases in the Marshalls.