Note 53 — Chapter VII · Southern Leyte Valley: Part One

The 1st Battalion, 381st Infantry, moved to the foot of the hill, where it received “a bloody nose” from fire coming out of well-entrenched positions. It withdrew under cover of smoke and established a night perimeter in the vicinity of its line of departure. The 2d Battalion, however, met no enemy resistance and advanced rapidly. At the close of the day the battalion was just short of Labir Hill.53 During the night the Americans expended 3,000 rounds of artillery ammunition on Catmon Hill, chiefly in front of the 2d Battalion sector. The plans for 29 October called for a morning attack by the 2d Battalion, supported by fire from the 1st Battalion, 383d Infantry, which had not yet been relieved; the 1st Battalion, 381st Infantry, was to seek a new lane of approach and attack at noon.