The rate of fire was three times higher than they had anticipated. The sound was distinct, higher-pitched, and more intense. Several Marines reported hearing Japanese soldiers shout during the exchanges of fire. The exact words were indistinct, but the tone betrayed surprise or concern. It was impossible to confirm whether it was genuine fear. What was certain, however, was the effectiveness of the fire.
The six weapons had neutralized dozens of positions, enabled multiple advances, and supported breakthroughs that conventional weapons could not have achieved. By 4:00 PM, the 28th Marine Regiment had reached its D-Day objective. They had crossed the 800-meter isthmus of the island. Mount Surabachi was cut off from the main Japanese defensive lines.
The regiment had suffered heavy losses, but it held its positions, ready to storm the mountain the following morning. Grevich inspected Betty Anne at 4:30 p.m. The cannon was damaged. The heat had caused micro-cracks in the chamber. The weapon was still functional, but its lifespan was very limited.
He estimated there were perhaps two days of fighting left before the barrel broke. The five other weapons showed similar wear. That evening, Little examined each weapon. His conclusion was unequivocal: the barrels were wearing out faster than expected. They had approximately 48 hours of service remaining. After that, the barrels would need to be replaced. But there were no spare barrels.
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