U.S. Navy Department (March 3, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 287
Under heavy fire from small arms and mortars the 5th Marine Division on the left flank and the 3rd Marine Division in the center pushed forward in a general advance of 200 to 400 yards on Iwo Island on March 3 (East Longitude Date). Progress of the 4th Division on the right flank was slow due to extremely heavy enemy resistance in that sector. Attacks by the Infantry were supported by Marine artillery but close carrier aircraft support was limited by the small dimensions of the area now held by the enemy. A strong pocket of the enemy in the 4th Division zone of action near Minami continued to hold back our lines in that sector.
Carrier aircraft made bombing and rocket attacks on installations in Omura Town on Chichi Jima and on harbor installations at Haha Jima in the Bonins. One ship was sunk at Haha Jima.
Ships are unloading on both eastern and western beaches of Iwo Island.
Land-based aircraft have begun to use the Southern Iwo airfield for evacuation of the wounded.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators operating under the Strategic Air Force bombed Omura Town and the airfield on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on March 2.
Two bridges were destroyed and fires were started on enemy-held islands of the Palaus after attacks by Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing on March 2.
Army Thunderbolts bombed airfield installations on Pagan in the Marianas on March 3.
Navy search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed the Airfield on Wake Island through moderate anti-aircraft fire on March 2.
On the same date, fighter planes of the 4th MarAirWing struck neutralizing blows at enemy-held bases in the Marshalls.