The defense of Cactus Ridge to the west, and The Pinnacle to the east, marked the start of resistance by Japanese land forces on Okinawa.

"Great results," Japanese combat instructions stated, "can be obtained by concealing the guns and opening surprise fire on the tanks at close range.

On the afternoon of 5 April, well-camouflaged Japanese troops, supported by tanks, attacked elements of the 382nd Infantry Regiment, but were broken up by combined machine gun, mortar and artillery fire.

Attempts were made to dislodge the defenders with an airstrike early on that morning, but subsequent troops assaulting the targeted positions found defensive enemy fire as intense as ever.

By the end of 6 April, these "Banzai" type charges by the 2nd Battalion enabled the 383rd to ultimately gain first the western half of Cactus Ridge.