On the third day, all three battalions moved inland, with
the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines
sweeping up the southern shore of Betio. With infantry and flame
thrower support, tanks blew
apart the remaining fortifications in the central and western
part of the island. Taking out pill
boxes, machine gun nests and snipers took up much of this third
day. But by nightfall, the
marines held western and central Betio.
At twilight, Shibasaki's troops made one final courageous
'Banzai' suicide charge. They rushed
the 6th Marines, Company B in almost overpowering numbers. The
marines began to break.
Lieutenant Thomas phoned Major Jones, saying "We are killing them
as fast as they come at us,
but we can't hold much longer; we need reinforcements." Jones
replied, "We haven't got them to
send you; you've got to hold." In the face of heavy losses, the
6th Marines wavered, but didn't
break. When dawn appeared, the marines still held their
positions.
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