The Japanese had been pushed nearly to the north shore of Iwo Jima. The Marines had finally brought their massive firepower to bear on the beleaguered defenders of the island. General Kuribayashi's plan to bleed the Americans to the breaking point had been a near run thing but the Marines were on Iwo Jima to stay. On the night of March 8, a few hundred yards NW of the ruined village of Higashi the Japanese launched their first major counterattack. This was a well-planned infiltration using stealth and deception behind American lines. The shadowy figures were first seen in front of the positions of "E" Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines.
Attacker: Japanese (Mixed survivors Iwo Jima Land and Naval Garrison)
Defender: American (USMC) ("E" Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment)
