Yet, as the two assault battalions moved out, the redoubtable Japanese
_23d Infantry_ crashed in with their own heavy barrage. Their shells
left Marines dead, bleeding, and some drowned in the murky Piva River,
“the heaviest casualties of the campaign. Twice the enemy fire walked
up and down the attacking Marines with great accuracy.” But the 3d
Marines came on with a juggernaut of tanks, flame throwers, and machine
gun, mortar, and rifle fire.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF PIVA FORKS