English: The initial landing took place on 21 July 1944 on its northwestern beaches, spearheaded by the 3rd Marine Division. The Marines were able to secure a beachhead nearly two kilometers deep. The Japanese commander General Takeshi Takashina ordered his garrison of 19,000 to launch several counterattacks, which several of them broke through American lines, however they were largely ineffective. One of the counterattacks took place at the Orote Peninsula, where the Japanese troops enraged and encouraged themselves with sake (Orote had been Japan's spirits depot for the entire region) before charging viciously into the American lines. "Within the lines there were many instances when I observed Japanese and Marines lying side by side, which was mute evidence of the violence of the last assault", observed an American.