Consequently , General Erskine ordered the 9th Marine Regiment to attack under the cover of darkness with no preliminary barrage .
The Japanese had over time learned basic American strategy , which was to lay heavy bombardment before an infantry attack .
General Erskine ordered the 9th Marine Regiment to attack under the cover of darkness with no preliminary barrage .
The Japanese had over time learned basic American strategy , which was to lay heavy bombardment before an infantry attack .