JAPANESE STRATEGY
General Kuribayashi, the Japanese Commander of Iwo Jima, was brilliant. An aristocrat, he was educated in Canada and toured the US. In Japan, he was one of the few soldiers ever granted an audience by Emperor Hirohito.
His preparations, fortifications and strategy were marvels in the history of warfare. The Japanese strategy was unique for three reasons: 1) The Japanese didn't fight above ground. They fought the battle entirely from beneath the ground. They dug 1,500 rooms into the rock. These were connected with 16 miles of tunnels. 2) Japanese strategy called for "no Japanese survivors." They planned not to survive. 3) Japanese strategy was for each soldier to kill 10 Americans before they themselves are killed.
LOCATION
Both Japan and the US valued the sulfurous island Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima was Japanese home soil, part of Japan, only 650 miles from Tokyo. It was administered by the Tokyo metropolitan government. No foreign army in Japan's 5000 year history had successfully trod on Japanese soil. To the US, Iwo Jima's importance lay in its location, midway between Japan and American bomber bases in the Marianas. Since the summer of 1944, the Japanese home islands had been reeling from strikes by the new, long range B-29's. The US, however, had no protective fighters with enough range to escort the big superfortresses. many bombers fell prey to Japanese fighter-interceptor attacks. Iwo, with its three airfields, was ideally located as a fighter-escort station. It was also an ideal sanctuary for crippled bombers returning from Japan.
NO JAPANESE SURVIVORS
In Tokyo months before the invasion, General Kuribayashi had been told "if America's casualties are high enough, Washington will think twice before launching an another invasion against Japanese territory." The Japanese strategy of "no Japanese survivors" is heroic Japanese stance is commonly glorified in Japanese historical novels, classic books, plays and movies. It touches at the heart of the Japanese sense of sacrifice of the individual for the greater good. "You must not expect my survival," General Kuribayashi wrote to his wife long before the invasion came. General Kuribayashi's command center had 5 ft. thick walls, a 10 ft. thick roof. This cement capsule was under 75 ft. of solid rock.
Thank you for the Iwo Jima article, it really helped with my ww2 project about the pacific theater.
war is war for god sake get over they killed us and we killed them its called war and people get killed, my grandpa got killed on that island and i think he died for a good reason, for our country
war is war for god sake get over they killed us and we killed them its called war and people get killed, my grandpa got killed on that island and i think he died for a good reason, for our country
what we did was no better even worse if you ask me how many babys did they kill how many kids did they kill not as many as we did we killed countless numbers of babys and kids more innocinte them anyone if you think other wise your wrong a life for a life yes but not when it is a 19 year olds life and a 3 year olds we both did bad things but both sides have a story listen to both or your are no better then slaverers cuase we were both WRONG it was a war that was need but it is in the PAST if we let it get in between us now we are as good as dead
i would have my teeth ripped out of my head you can not think that a god (someone we do not no is real) can solve a war we head to fight mr grandpap was in WW2 and is a minester now your god can't solve all the worlds problems
The Army was on Iwo Jima very early on. My father was a Marine and mentioned that Black soldiers of the US Army were delivering supplies to the Marines. He stated many times those DUK drivers were among the bravest men he had ever met.
Devin, The U.S. was referred the "Sleeping giant" due to the fact that America was probably the most advance with weaponry back then. Plus, we may have killed innocent Japanese, they killed thousands of innocent, recruits, and others in the attacking of pearl harbor.
The Ken Burns documentary "The War" tells of the hell the soldiers of WWII went through. Iwo Jima was perhaps the worst in all of WWII. Yet those brave soldiers persevered. This war was like no other in human history for so many reasons. The scale, the size and time length of the battles, the technology used, the destruction of towns and cities, and of course the unimaginable number of deaths. The Japanese culture would not allow surrender. Women and children were being trained to fight against the invasion of their island nation. The dropping of the atomic bomb did save many lives of both American and Japanese. Yet the suffering that followed by the habitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are unfathomable by anyone who did not go through it. This history must never be forgotten. The Marines, Navy, Seabees, Army and all of the support staff who sacraficed so much must be honored. Thanks to everyone of them and their families here on the home front.
I must admit that I have never heard "humble" and "ruthless" used together quite like this. Congratulations on your attempt, yet it was an epic failure. Pay attention in class, you'll learn more that way.
the movie letters from iwo jima is brilliant it tells you what the Japanese went through not what the american marines went through which is what every other war movie is about
be peaceful and let the lord god love you.
i saw your comment on Iwo Jima- I was there I was a Navy Armed Guard Gunner on a large transport ship. We caried troops to Iwo then later to Okinawa.
I was a gunner on 8 different shipsHauling supplies to most so. Pacific Islands. If you never heard of the u.S.Navy Armed guard go to -Armed-Guard.com.
Devin, you need to be more educated on this subject before you start running your mouth about things you know nothing about. The Japs were not known to be the "sleeping giant", the USA was. Get your facts straight or don't say anything at all.
I think human flesh tastes good. you cant kill me unless you got alien guns that are double pack-a-punched. and still you need jug and speed cola. CALL OF THE DEAD! ON THE ESCALATION MAP PACK FOR CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS
thank you for showing us our determination as a people to do what is necessary to defeat oppression.the battle still rages defeat
Obama in 2012!zngmjb
Thankyou for the info this will be helpful in my History CBA!
Some better info is provided by a person who was in the battle. He wrote a book called The Battle For Iwo Jima.
That is completely untrue several kamakazee attacks were made during the battle of Iwo Jima.
The tunnels systems on that island were amazing. Reports of Japanese soldiers on the island, being found alive in the 1970's have emerged over the years. Although the island had strategic value to the U.S.over 6,800 soldiers were killed or missing along with over 19,200 wounded. Thats a lot of good men to lose just taking some godforsaken rock.
The tunnels systems on that island were amazing. Reports of Japanese soldiers on the island, being found alive in the 1970's have emerged over the years. Although the island had strategic value to the U.S.over 6,800 soldiers were killed or missing along with over 19,200 wounded. Thats a lot of good men to lose just taking some godforsaken rock.
3 million purple hearts were made incase of an Invasion
I read somewhere that US commanders estimated at least one million casualties if they chose to land on the beaches of Japan.
Hi i started to talk to veterans from the war in Europe and I enjoyed their storys and adventures and i would like to talk to some veterans from the pacific my email is jonny.cadets@gmail.com
Mr. Narvaez-
nice to hear from you-
I saw my dad this weekend- he is 94 years old- you are correct- they were on Iwo until September 1945- Iwo was going to be a staging island for the invasion of the mainland- the men he was with knew they were going to be one of the first groups in- The men on Okinawa were probably going first- then the group on Iwo-
Those were some very happy campers when the bombs were dropped.
God Bless everyone who has ever worn a uniform of the US Military.
I am curious, below it says this webpage was created by John Bradley. Is that the same John Doc Bradley. As one of the flag raisers?
If so, I'd like to thank you for all your efforts and the men that fought along you. Fighting for freedom and the protection of the world.
I am greatly in debt to you.
Andy,
.... The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are basically what influenced the surrender from Hirohito. I am not really one to say this but you really need to get your facts straight. The reason why we took Iwo Jima was to get closer to the mainland and have it a hosting island for the Naval Carriers and its fighter planes. And yes, it was immoral for us to bomb Nagasaki and Hiroshima but it was necessary and vital to end the war. In fact, the whole war was immoral. At this time, both sides suffered heavy casualties and were tired of the war. The reason why the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki was to end the war. And don't tell me that it could have ended in a more peaceful solution. If you do not know, the Japanese have a very strong a religious culture in that Japanese never surrender. They believe it is a sign of weakness and dishonor. Knowing this, President Truman had no other choice at the time. I would like to add more but I believe that this is most important for you to know.
Sincerely,
A Well Educated 10th Grader.
im sorry that your dad and the army never got the thx they deseved...soooo i wanted to tell your dad for his years of service and all that he did over in Japan.
Please watch the film "Letters from Iwo Jima" for the another perspective of the battle
Japan has suffered a terrible loss of life and nuclear disaster and our country is reaching out to help them despite the fact that Japan used biological and chemical weapons on American POW's. They cut them open at various stages while alive to observe the internal damage for their research. They applied this information to the long distance ballons they sent across the Pacific to attempt to kill Americans that carried biological and chemical weapons which crashed in the woods of the western coast. They beat, starved, and tortured civilian and military prisoners beheading them or gutting them with bayonets. Their civilians in Japan cities stoned our fliers. The Germans had shared the information they had on how to build an atomic bomb and make jet planes with Japan. One German Sub was making the trip after Germany had surrendered with parts of their jet plane they had made. Japan was in the process of building atomic bombs and one way long distance jet planes to drop atomic weapons on us. We bombed them before they bombed us.
please help me, I put another comment, and I need help very quickly
thanks
PD: see the another comment to answer me
Well Said.
Devin, have you heard of the Bataan Death March? Or about the Puerto Princessa massacre on Dec. 14, 1944? How much do you know about the Japanese occupation of the Philippines? No one is blameless in war. I am not disagreeing with your point about the rape of Nanking, it is a relevant and distressing tragedy, but please consider all sides.
Where do you get your information? Have you ever stood a post? The Japanese are humble people? Where does that load of garbage come from? Are you familiar with the code of bushido? Did you understand that they had to have meetings with Generals and Admirals to make them understand that it was ok to report actual losses so that they had an accurate picture of their combat effective units and could properly determine how to make their next battle plan? So, wrong there.
How could Japan be the sleeping giant? They were active in the war, not sleeping. Dumb to even make that suggestion. Wrong again.
Do me a favor read about the rape of Nanking. After that read the Japanese battle plan for Tarawa. Without dropping the bomb the Japanese were prepared to fight to extinction rather than surrender, dropping the bombs saved lives. It's obvious you're a civilian that's never served, never fought and should stick to smoking your dope in a drum circle. Don't make comments about things that are beyond your comprehension nancy.
What do you guys think:
How is the clash of cultures between the American marines and Japanese fights shown in Flags? What is the differences?
.... you're wrong.... america was the sleeping giant... the a bomb saved an estimated 1,000,000 american lives.... what would have happened if it had NOT been used, and the american public learned it had been available, but not used?....civilians were killed, AS IN ALL WARS!!..... how old are you? does your mother know you're on this site?... wait til you grow up, nancy...
Actually Japan was referred to as the sleeping giant, not the US. I don't think it was logical to go to the extent we went to by dropping two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as we killed thousands of innocent Japanese civilians. The Japanese are humble people and even if it was ruthless, only attacked Pearl Harbor because of the unfair treatment they were receiving regarding trade and military restrictions.
Hi,I'm Maria Perpiña, and I'm from Spain, I'm doing a work about this battle, and I want to know if someone knows the e-mail of a veteran of this war because I want to do an interview.
Please, send me an e-amil to trabajomdi@gmail.com
Thanks
David
I think that it was a logical thing to do when we droped the nuke on Japan. And the reson being is we would of lost more soldiers then we already have. Once Japan hit Pearl Harbor they "woke up" a "Sleeping Giant" so they should of knowen what was coming so it was an illogical thing to do there. So I believe that they deserved i and for the citizans all i half to say is they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.
David:
The use of the bomb was driven by the desire to end the war quickly. The development was driven by the fear the Germany was trying to develop them, too. By 1945, carpet bombing of cities was a reality. We didn't have "smart bombs" that could target single structures. High level bombing was inaccurate and necessitated the use of large numbers and "carpet bombing" of areas: that was the reality of "total war."
I disagree that the US could have come through China. The number Japanese troops there, the complex geopolitics (the British in India, the Burmese fighting for independence, the factions in China and Korea, the role of the USSR, etc.) combined with the "simplicity" of going straight across the Pacific drove the decision to capture Iwo.
Despite all the disagreement, I think Andy has a point. Those bombs were unnecessary because they were extremely expensive and excessively damaging. There is no reason to wipe out those innocent townsfolk to win a war against a growing empire that already took quite it's load of a beating from the many, MANY bombings returned to the japanese after their attack on pearl harbor. After taking the airfields in Iwo Jima and already having liberated and taken control of most of the pacific, the US had more than a good chance of wiping out the japanese from china and surrounding territories, and maybe instilling a more humane punishment to Japan than radioactive poisoning. I understand quite clearly the horrors of Japan's actions, like the Rape of Nanking and so forth, and I see no justice in these actions either, but if you fight fire with fire, all you get is more fire.
Andy,
Grow up. Don't just parrot anti-American propaganda, but learn the facts. The decision to drop the bomb wasn't made lightly. It resulted in the ending the war in a much more humane and life-saving manner than an invaision of the Japanese home islands.
In the invasion scenario, casualty rates ranged from the hundreds of thousands to millions-of Americans. The casualties among the Japanese (civilians and military) would have doubtless numbered in the tens of millions. Think about that. I don't care what people like you think. The lives of those poor souls who perished as a result of dropping the two bombs does not equal the value of the life of a single US serviceman or woman.
Finally, as practitioners of imperialism (I know how much you anti-Americans like to use that term to disparage the United States looking out for their own national interests abroad) and barbarism the Japanese were without equals. If you are bothered by water-boarding, read a bit to learn how the Japanese treated there prisoners.
The brutality and barbarism of WW2 Japan against conquered civilians is equally well-documented. Japanese barbarism was not limited to captured American servicemen (who you probably don't care much about), but was freely applied to innocent civilians as well. It wasn't called the "Rape of Nanking" for nothing. The Japanese plundered, raped, murdered (often by beheading or imolating live human beings) and it's well-documented.
If you had a brain you would drop to both knees and thank your God for the United States of America (Although I'm taking into account that you may be an atheist). The United States were the leading force in delivering the world from evil in the Pacific and Europe. I'll bet you think that sucks.
Visit a new website for the Iwo Jima Survivors Association. It has a lot of information about the Survivors and the Monument in CT. It includes how to contact the Survivors.
visit www.sosiwojima.com
thank you.
the japanese knew they wher going to lose but Honor knows no surrender thats why they did't stop fighting
Andy you have been hanging around the wrong people. I do hope when you are older that you will come to know that many viewpoints that arise out of idealism are just not supported by the facts.
I love talking to veterans about this. so if any of these veterans want to talk about it please e-mail me at usmc_sniper9451@yahoo.com
My grandfather worked in the Long Island N.Y. Grumman aircraft factory wiring the new Hellcats f4f and f6f that were being flown in all the great naval air battles that supported and made all the landings possible. I ask is he not a hero on par with the pilots who flew the planes or the grunts taking the actual soil ? Destroying the imperial navy air capabilities by only fighter borne units won the Pacific war as much as taking and occupying Iwo did.He did not have people shooting at him but, he did have to put up with my grandmother..
It's sad when people slam those who defend the use of the A-bomb without proper knowledge. Those who glorify it are sick or too immature to understand death, but those who defend its use are correct in their reasoning. There were two options for America at the time: drop the bomb or invade. The planned invasion made the D-Day invasion look small and would have been the largest invasion in history. The expected casualties for American troops alone was 500,000. Throw in the Japanese military casualties and the number exceeds one million total. Between the two, the expected casualties was over five times the actual casualties of both bombs that were dropped. Then on top of that million, the Japanese innocents would have to be added to the expected casualties, along with British soldiers, Russian soldiers, and the other assorted Allied soldiers. The casualties would be in the millions if not tens of millions. The question comes down to whether dropping two bombs and killing 200,000 innocents, or invading and killing possibly tens of millions of soldiers and innocents is more ethical. In the end the choice is clear: dropping the A-bombs was morally right over invasion.
Its funny what people are taught and told in America. Japan had replied before the first bombing on working out a treaty (more or less). Records of communication sent out by Japan are logged. Records of them being received are logged in Japan and America but for some reason (sacasm) America continued in their bombing of Japan and have said that Japan refused to forfeit the battle/war.
To this day there are license plates in Richland, WA (home of Hanford that built the A-bombs) that say "proud of the cloud." And their highschool mascot is the Richland Bombers? I mean seriously, why are people morally okay with glorifying the atrocious acts that happened when the A-bombs were dropped? It disgusts me beyond belief and people who defend what happened absolutely sicken me to the core. I feel for those who died on both sides of the war, not because their families lost them, or their lives were cut so short... but because of the deceit and lies, in the name of profit and expansion, that led to their untimely deaths.
War is such a foolish game.
thank you i completely agree you guys are arguing over something when you should b e honoring those who served.
Thank you, Lin East, for being one more witness to the fact that the Army was apart of the the battle of Iwo Jima from l9 Feb 1945 til it ended, and the Japs surrendered. I'm with you, I would love to have Jeff try to tell my uncle, Clarence Adams, he wasn't there until after the Marines had taken Iwo Jima. I know Clarence was hurt by that, but like all those who were there, they aren't out to prove anything to anybody. They live with what they had to endure and did even 65 years later. Most do not talk about it at all. My uncle is the same way. When i've asked him, he will tell me a few things, but it is very painful, and it's clear he doesnt like dwelling on it. A few things he has said was when they got on the beach, he and a few others were ordered to clear out some of the caves. Another thing he talked about was an incident of a new replacement upon seeing a dead jap officer, wanted to take his sabre. They told him he'd better not...they warned him and tryed to keep him away. When he went to take it from the body, it had been boobytraped with a granade and blew the replacements hand off. They saw that happen several times. So much for not being there? If anyone was with Clarence i would love to hear from you. Thanks.
wow this was amazing
Before the Americans dropped the atomic bombs, they sent their planes out dropping notes telling anyone and everyone to evacuate from the two cities (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) that were bombed later.
Also, after the first bombing, America asked if Japan would surrender, but for some reason Japan wouldn't causing the second bomb to be dropped.
On a different note, which do think would have been worse, the dropping of those two bombs, or an all out assault on the true Japanese soil. If Marines had to rush those beaches, we are talking HUGE causalities, maybe more than the result of the bombs. Anyway, the war would have gone on for maybe another year or two, maybe resulting in Japan emerging the victor.
I totally agree that war is terrible, I do however believe that if the bombs hadn't been dropped, the war would have continued and resulted in further loss of life.
I seriously think you should look further into the matter because your view is extremely incorrect. The Marines saved others by sacrificing themselves, and I highly doubt that you realize what they did on Iwo and throughout the entire Pacific campaign, allows you to sit at your computer and write stupid things about them and how they fought for your freedom and America's freedom.
Thank you all who fought and still fight today to keep America free.
God Bless American Soldiers,
Bobby Jones
P.S. Andy. Japan started the Pacific campaign by abusing it's neighbors. America wanted to remain neutral and just cut off all trading with Japan.
Then, on December 7, 1941 they launched a massive surprise attack on Pearl Harbor ruthlessly slaughtering the men women and children that resided there killing a total of 2350, along with 68 civilian deaths, and leaving another 1178 of both military and civilian wounded.
This brought America into the war and rightly so.
The Battle of Iwo was terrible but necessary to win the war. Hundreds of lives were lost which is an awful thing, but the airfield on Iwo Jima was put to good use by the Americans and saved hundreds of American pilots.
Dinah Mite was the first American plane that was saved by Iwo; the bomb doors were stuck open causing the plane to burn extra fuel leaving the plane the choice to either crash and die when they ran out of fuel, or land at Iwo Jima. The Marines had already secured one airfield, and that is where the plane Dinah Mite landed, saving it's entire crew, and later saving many others.
Yes it was a terrible battle, but in my opinion, it was a key part of the war. The planes didn't have to make the 1,000+ mile journey back to the states. Without taking that island, the war would have gone on longer and many thousands more might have died on both sides.
God Bless America and the brave soldiers who defend her,
Semper Fi!
Interesting perspective. You strongly suggested that our atomic bombs did not end the war. Would you please elaborate?
Andy, you should do a little more "book learning". The Japanese had brutally invaded Manchuria, China, Korea long before they attacked Pearl Harbor...If think they only attacked because we callously cut off their oil you are naive to the extreme and sadly ignorant of history..
Dear Jeff-
If I was you- I would not try to tell my father the Army did not get there until the Marines declared it safe.
He was an Army MP in charge og POW's- and as he put it to me-
"we were not in the marines- but we sure as hell were with the marines"
As a feudal state Japan would accept nothing but complete defeat. They had to be completely conquered for them to submit to the will of the US. Until then they would have always have been a threat.
Sad to say ......
Andy, have you ever "been in"?
War is hell. So all these guys died to take this worthless stinking island so we could have an airbase to handle fighter escorts for our bombers. Crazy as hell I say. Was Japan really a threat to the US? No. They bombed Pearl Harbor hoping that the US would sign a peace treaty thereby ending the US embargo on oil. Yes, Japan wanted an empire, just like Britain and France and the US. They wanted the US out of the Philippines which they considered their sphere of influence. Not such a wild idea considering that the US claimed all of Latin America its sphere of influence. Were we, and are we, morally superior to the Japanese? I would say at the time of Iwo Jima, we at least believed in humane treatment of civilians and POWs. Democracy isn't necessarily morally superior so don't even go there. But once we fire bombed Tokyo and the atomic bombs were dropped, our morally superiority vanished and the rationale for this war went with it. And don't try to convince me that the atomic bombs are what ended that war.
salute to all soldiers fought in this war..both japan and us..
and wish no more war in world
everyone live with peace...
my grand father is in all the mojor pictures of the signing of the peace treaty between the japs and us
My father PFC William F. Dorling was in the 5th eng Btln.on Iwo. He brought home a Japanese photo alblum he found on the island containing pictures of Jap sailors and generals along with japanese family photos. He had ALOT of fellow Marines and Corpsman sign it. Joint field intel inspected it and confiscated a number of the pictures but many are left and they let him keep it. If ANYONE remembers such an album please contact me through my e-mail or by phone, my number is 702-375-6309.....Semper Fi
this is The Bloodiest battle in pacific war... more bloodiest from battle of okinawa and battle of tarawa...
CMIIW
This is not intended as a fatous comment, just wondered if there were any English or British military forces attached to the invasion of Iwo Jima as observers, or the remote possibility of advisors after the D-day landings.
I was on Iwo Jima in 1946-1947. Ane one that was there around that time give me a call on 309-647-1444 or email me on Rossonotes@aol.com.
S/Sgt. GW Rosson
Mr. Head, I am glad to see you also confirm for Robin that the Army were also on Iwo Jima from the beginning to the end. I questioned what i was seeing from Jeff, so I asked my Uncle(84) who was on Iwo Jima from the very beginning. I told him what was being said. His name is Cpl. Clarence Adams. He went on shore on Red Beach 1 in the second wave. He said he was attached to the 5th Marine Division. He talked about sinking into the sand on the beach, as a Rifleman, in the Army AirForce. His words to me were "When we sailed from Hawaii toward the Pacfic to Iwo Jima, we were confident as he and the rest of the troops stormed the beach that Feb. 1945. "We thought we had it made, We thought it was going to be easy. But they waited until we had a lot of men on the beach and then they opened up. By the second day we had lost 500 men". "There were 22,000 Japs on the island, but hardly any of them were on top. They were all underneath in 16 miles of tunnels and 1500 man made caves. We just tried to get them out the best we could, flamerthrowers, pumping water in, whatever we could do." "We moved to the right across the island" "After a month of fighting hand to hand, foot by foot, across the island only 1000 japs survived." "I served on the island until the war ended." He had his picture taken by one of the photographers on the island after things "settled down", sitting under the flag on mt. suribachi holding his rifle. He said he was on iwo jima until the Japs surrendered and having enough points he was allowed to go home, but they had to wait for transports to get back to the states. He said he decided not to wait, ("after waiting, and waiting, and waiting") he got on a ship going to Siapan. From Siapan he got on a ship going to San Fransico. And was then discharged. Sir with all due respect, i've done alot of research as well, and many actual reports from official Marine accounts state that they were accompanied by Army, Navy, and Seabees, Coast Guard from beginning to end. My Uncle and Mr. Head your father give witness, They Were There! Like My Uncle said, "I know I was there, the Government knows i was there". And I my self saw the picture of a 19 year old young man on the top of mt. suribachi, and knowing what kind of man my uncle is, he never talked about Iwo Jima much over the years until recently. I am grateful. Robin may not have the Division correct but the army were attached to the Marines upon invasion of Iwo Jima. Thanks Mr. Head. Thanks Clarence!
I've been coming to this site for a number of years now, because there is occasionally something new. The last time I was here was about 6 months ago, and I don't believe this comment section was here.
The thing about having comment sections on websites is that you always get people who talk trash, and belittle others because they don't have to do it face-to-face. In other words, cowards.
Tonight was the first time I saw this comment section, and I read a couple of them, and that was enough. Some of you don't have the common decency to respect what this site is about, or the intelligence to know what it represents. If you think about it, no one really cares about your opinions, and would rather you not post anything at all.
Personally, I could give a rats a** what you think, or what you post, or even what you will eventually say about me, because I won't be viewing this section again. So, the next time you feel the urge to blast someone, take that time and think about getting yourself a real life. Over 20,000 dead Marines will thank you for it.
the japanese chain of command was jaded
FAIL.
Kamikazees had nothing to do with the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Never forget all those heros who gave their lives for humanity.
So are you proud of what your country did? Are you proud of the fact that the Emperor and commanders totally exploited the people of that great country and taught them to sacrifice their lives for the vanity of the Emperor? Are you proud that your country attacked America, a peaceful nation, for the greed of the Emperor causing hundreds of thousands of Japanese lives to be lost?
If you were Kamakaze, then why are you still alive? Or did you come to your senses and realize giving up your life for the stupidity and vanity of your great leader was too high a cost? Good for you! There's hope for you yet!
History is my favorite subject and I love learning about it. This is a great site and I will definitely read more!!! :D GOOD JOB! The Japanese citizens must have been very brain washed by the Empire just to kill themselves for no reason! I feel sorry for all these wives and husbands and EVEN CHILDREN!!!??? I think that's down-right sick and sad. The Japanese could've saved SO many lives by not getting involved with the war.
I'm so proud of our soldiers for giving their lives and giving pretty much all they had. If you think about it that's actually a HUGE sacrifice to give. God bless our Soldiers and our homeland.
Abie (11 yrs. old)
Bom pessoal alguem ja assistiu A Conquista da Honra?
Vejam e entendam qual e o verdadeido segnificador da vida.
Sou um soldador do exercito Brasileiro do 2º Regimento Andrades Neves.
Lembranças a todos vocês.
Jeff, just to let you know my father landed with the second wave and he was a Major in the Army Air Force. He was stationed there until the end of the war.
hey man thanks ! im a filipino so thank you very much in participating in the liberation of my country from the Japanese ! may all WWII american veterans be bless by GOD !
KAMIKAZE PRIDE WOOOOOO
My grandfather Joseph Mathis fought on Iwo with the 4th Marine Div, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, G company. I am looking for anyone who has any information about his company or photos. Thanks. I also have photos of my grandfather with Don Thatcher from the 5th Marine Div and also Robert Seymour 3rd Mar div, 9th Marines for anyone seeking information on these Marines. Thanks
My grandfather Joseph Mathis fought on Iwo with the 4th Marine Div, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, G company. I am looking for anyone who has any information about his company or photos. Thanks. I also have photos of my grandfather with Don Thatcher from the 5th Marine Div and also Robert Seymour 3rd Mar div, 9th Marines for anyone seeking information on these Marines. Thanks
My grandfather Joseph Mathis fought on Iwo with the 4th Marine Div, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, G company. I am looking for anyone who has any information about his company or photos. Thanks. I also have photos of my grandfather with Don Thatcher from the 5th Marine Div and also Robert Seymour 3rd Mar div, 9th Marines for anyone seeking information on these Marines. Thanks
If you at look at most records you'll notice that there were several detachments of Army usually with Ranger training who were attached to Marine Units. You can tell which units they are because they will generally be called Ranger(units).
im doing a thing on the Iwo jima idk what to do we have to have right 7 or 8 sens on it but idk what to do
Robin, I believe that you are mistaken about the timeframe in which the Army arrived on Iwo Jima. The Army arrived for the mop up operations (Hint: that is after the Marines landed). That is why you can not find any information pertaining to any Army credit for their accomplishments. Thats because they where not there during the the main battles. I am sure that the Army did have accomplishments for the missions they where on, but they do not deserve any glory for rising our Flag on top of Mount Sarabachi when or if they where on the island. I have been on Iwo Jima many times and explored the island, I have never found an article or material that stated U.S. Army. Everything I found was either Japanese or USMC.
I want to know about Sulphur Island, Raising the Flag, and the Two Flags.
Hello to all. First off I'd like to thnk all those previously and currently serving. My main purpose in visiting this website is I am currently working on a project for my history class on the impact of Iwo Jima on United States history. If there are any veterans who were in this battle and wouldn't mind giving me some information or feedback please contact me at boynton_chantel@yahoo.com or crazybiznatch_1234@hotmail.com . I would appreciate any help available. Thanks to all.
-C. Boynton
How about you stop whining about a website that does not have all the information you want to plagiarize from and open a freaking book. There are plenty of valid books, and believe it or not other websites you can get information from about the battle.
I remember my mother telling me about the nightmares and seeing the tears of my father as he watched all the B&W war movies of the 40s. I only saw remnants of the man my father might have been. He was stunningly handsome with a Reagan like smile, a subtle humor and very talented musician playing every instrument by ear. Poorly educated and having suffered so in the depression he was wildly enthusiastic when he put that uniform on and left the small Georgia farm where he worked behind a mule with his father.
In those days they had no followup or treatment for the ravaging consequences of war. He never complained but we could see the diminishing effects as the years passed. I never really understood until the last few years as I fully digest the gravity of this history and think of how it has shaped my views and afforded me the opportunities to live my life free to make my choices and raise my children.
We always thought of our experience growing up in the periphery of such grave trauma as a deficit. As he slowly succumbed to the various illnesses that resulted and finally died of a massive stroke in 1993 I began to understand and today I am only grateful to have a perspective that causes me to appreciate and love the freedom these men won with not only their blood and their lives but their entire being. No one who fought in that battle came back the way they went in and many of us who grew up in the shadows of the aftermath and had to endure the absence of what they lost are still paying. I can truly say that it has ignited in me a deep and enduring love for freedom and I can only pray that the seeds that were planted will be passed on to those in my sphere of influence and will in some small way inspire my children to prevail in this country where so many seem to have forgotten.
My father was there as well and also knew them. Hs name was Fred N. Green corporal.
im a new marine, and have grown up always hearing about Iwo Jima, Thank you too all vets who served. Im hoping one day i can go to Iwo Jima and see the island. its very interesting to learn about
Andrew,
I have such a fascination and respect for what your grandfather and many of his generation (the Greatest Generation)did for our country. To have fought a war on two fronts, and lets not forget what the home front did too, all is mind boggling! Please thank your grandfather for me and my family. We thank and acknowledge him for his sacrifice and those who fought next to him that didn't come back. Let him know there are many from generations after his that are grateful for what they did and went through..I myself make sure my children are aware of the many sacrifices his generation gave. Thank you!
i love this website
I want to thank this website for everything. My granfather was one of the people to raise the first flag on Iwo Jima. He doesn't talk much about it, because of all the pain and gore he saw in those few days of hell. He knew Rene Gragnon and Ira Hayes. Ever since he saw The Flags of Our Fathers he has been more open about it. So I just wanted to let you know how I felt.
Thank you,
Andrew Dodd & Prv. James Dodd
thanks so much for this unique website. and this is probably the only unique source where i can find information about Iwo jima survivors and etc.
thank you this website really helped me i got an A on my assignment
John,
first, i would like to thank your father for serving in our armed forces during WWII. My grandfather participated in the first wave on Omaha beach and would never speak a word about it. i would like to suggest to you the book "Band of Brothers" its all about the 101st airborne, mainly Easy Company. all the soldiers in Easy agreed that Patton didn't "save them from the Germans" as he claimed. they never asked to be saved, nor did they want to be. from what i read, in Maj. Dick Winters', the X.O. of E. Company, quotes in the book, concerning Bastogne, they were quite content where they were, and were very happy with the job they were doing themselves. i do not wish you to take that in the wrong way at all, i have the highest respect for all the men and women who have given their lives, their youth, and their innocence as a human being to the greater good of this great nation.
Robin,
I am sure your father was a very brave man and I am grateful for his service to our country. But you must have misunderstood him when he said that the Army was on Iwo prior to the Marines… because there were NO U.S. service men on Iwo Jima before the Marines landed on the 19th of February 1945.
LMG
My father Paul E. Greenlee fought in this epic battle. At the time of this battle February 1945 he was a young Marine fresh out of boot camp. He fought alongside his fellow Marines for 28 days. He was then moved to Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of Japan. My father also fought in Korea where he was severely wounded. One of his favorite duties while in the Marine Corp was to be a member of the Marine Corp Rifle Team. He was proud to serve his country and loved the Marine Corp. Later in his life he became a Christian, went to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree. My father passed away in May of 1998 he was the greatest man I ever knew. I was very fortunate to have him as my father. He was truly typical of the men and women of that “greatest generation”.
this is amazing
this page was very helpfull with my report!!!
I am a father of a U S soldier who just returned from Iraq....Nothing in the world can bring to reality how expensive freedom is than to see your son board an airplane headed for harms way! I WANT TO THANK ALL VETRANS FOR YOUR UNSELFISH SERVICE!
This is all very intresting and i enjoy it very much.
For all those out there wanting to know about Iwo Jima. The best book I ever read on the topic was published by Dial Press around the end of 1945. The US Marines on Iwo Jima by Raymond Henri, Jim G. Lucas, Keyes Beech, David K.Dempsey and Alvin M. Josephy Jr. The whole book tells the story of the battle, using mainly the radio transmissions and military records. It is a heartbreaking book to read for the relatives of those young Marines knowing what they were facing. It has not been reprinted. The only copies that I know of are from 1945.
For the young high school students and college students doing papers go to Borders most carry Iwo Jima by Bill D. Ross and Iwo Jima by Richard F. Newcomb. These two books will answer any questions you have.
To some of the individuals who send disrespectful comments on this site. My father and the many Marines he served with gave their lives, body parts, and best years of their young lives so YOU WOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH YOU ENJOY AND ALL THE OTHERS. What you have and enjoy was earned by their blood and sweat!
In preparation of the invasion of Japan, the U.S. manufactured 500,000 purple hearts to give to just the US soldiers who would have been killed or wounded in such an attack. The bombing of Japan stopped the war and the suffering that would go with those medals. Even now, after vietnam, korea, etc, we still have not had to manufacture any more and are drawing from those 500,000. Consider this when thinking about use of the atomic bomb to end the war with Japan.
One thing that may be hard to understand is how deeply this effected the men who fought there. The effects lasted a lifetime amoung the survivors. My father was on iwo jima and over 30 years later he would wake up screaming from the nightmares. Out of the 300+ men in his unit, only one came off that island without a major injury. My dad was wounded 3 times before he could not just wrap it up and fight on. The final would took his sight for the rest of his life. When he was sent to the hospital ship, he was told by the chaplain that he would not be going to surgery. The surgons needed to spend time on people who could be saved and not him. He was told he was going to die. It took 3 days of waiting, blind, with the dead and dying in the bottom of a ship before they realized he was not going to die and operated on him. He never showed anger over this event but understood that all were trying to save as many men as possible. He when on to live a full life and had 3 kids.
I'm writing a story for school and chose Iwo Jima as my topic. I love to learn about WW2, I only know things about the war in Eourope. If anyone could give me some information on the battle of Iwo Jima that would be great, thank you.
my uncle was in the south pacific...survived , made it home to start a new life , raise a family...never spoke for years of his experiences...never even told his wife...by day he was the funniest , sweetest man you ever met...everyone loved him...at night he lived it over again and again and again ...screaming nightmares...it finally killed him at too young an age...I was still too young to understand...my mother eventually found out from my grandfather, whom my uncle did open up to before he died ,that at one point my uncle's division was ordered to move forward , a marine who was with him as they moved out of there sand holes saw snipers and grabbed my uncle and pulled him down only to have his own head blown off in front of my uncle , saving his life...we don't know who this young man was who gave his life to save our uncle Wayne...I always wished we could tell this young man's mother and father about there son and what he was , but I'm sure they knew and were always very proud of there son...
Let's say, it was an history
and take many good lesson from it
and may the God bless and save all of them, us, our past leader, and aor next leader
...for the better future
Hi Wyatt,If I understood this right.You were in the fourth wave to go ashore that day?
good site for research
ME GUSTA EL SITE
There were no Army Personnel on Iwo Jima until the Island was declared secure by the Marines.
One thing that bothers me and I am unable to understand is that there is no mention or credit given to the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions. There were U.S. Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) assigned to each and every Marine Division during invasions of every Pacific Island, as well as invasions in the European Theater. They are never mentioned or given credit for all the work performed, under enemy fire. The Seabees, with their heavy equipment towed the Marine's bogged down equipment through the heavy volcanic ash (often referred to as black sand) on the beaches of Iwo Jima. They unloaded the supply ships and transported the supplies to locations for Marine access. They enlarged and maintained the landing strips to accommodate the B-29s and other aircraft. They erected all of the building structures for maintaining the aircraft and refueling facilities. There was no fresh water on Iwo Jima, so the Seabees installed sea water distillation and water purification facilities. They erected barracks and Administration buildings needed by the Marines and Air Corps. The Seabees erected dozens of Quonset Huts (Metal buildings), one of which was used by the American Red Cross as a USO when they arrived along with the Army that landed as an occupational force after the Island was declared secure and the Marines departed. The Red Cross made the USO "Off Limits" to the Seabees that had landed and fought along side the Marines, stating that "This is for our Fighting Men", and the Army personnel were the only ones permitted to enter the USO. (Any idea why the Red Cross has such a poor reputation?)
Has anyone ever seen or heard of credit being given to the Seabees for their participation during these hostilities? The Seabees built the road up Mt. Suribachi. Is that ever mentioned?
As an equipment operator in the 8th U.S. Naval Construction Battalion that was attached to the 5th U.S. Marine Division during the invasion and conquest of Iwo Jima, I can personally testify to the validity of the above statements.
LCU
My Uncle who was in the Army was part of the secondary invasion of Iwo Jima. He was part of the artillery. He is gone now but this is what he has written to his daughter and son. After the Marines said they secured the island, the 106th infantry came in and finished mopping up. The Japanese were disorganized but still had lots of ammo. The island had lots of caves and they were sniping away from any place. They would pass up shooting a group and then kill one person standing in the same place. It took us a day and a half to get dug in and our artillery temporarily set up. We were sent to give the Marines artillery support. There were many dead bodies lying around both Japanese and Americans and the smell of death was every where. We were supposed to set up our permanent base on the north side of the island and lots of caves around it that the Marines hadn't cleared. These caves were honeycombed and well-organized. One opening would be sealed up and Japanese would run out of other openings. The Seabees came soon after we did and built a temporary airplane runway which helped with American bombing of Japan. There were frequent Japanese raids on us which lasted about five minutes. The Japanese made one last Bonzi raid on us but we had too much fire power for them. In about three weeks or so the Marines got clear across the island and their mission was accomplished. Bill named various Army men who were killed on the landing and the next few days. Bill was supposed to be discharged in June 1945 but had to stay until November because had there been no bombing of Japan, their unit was slated to fight on to Japan. He was thankful for President Truman's decision.
i like this site
how do you know he witnessed the raising of the flag if he died before he returned????
Hello Mr. Wyatt, I am doing an oral history report on world war two, specifically that of the attack on iwojima. i am curious to know if you are a veteran of the war and would like to know if you would be interested in participating in an interview by email.
I was in the 4th division,25th marines, as I remember I was in the 4th wave. I remember many of my friends that never made it up over the beach embanckment, when we did secure the beach area, the 4th turned right. I did not see the raising of the flag, as not many of us did.
Semper Fi!!! No Greater Friend ; No Worse Enemy!! Keep your heads down Marines. We all are proud of the job you're doing over there. We want you ALL home safe , sooner than later. May God Bless You All.. Hoo Rahh!!!..
I am german and know much about the history of WWII. It is always the same story, people are dying for some leaders. What Americans have done there and in Europe in WWII was great and we have always to say THANK YOU. We have to say it at first of course to Russians who liberated the most of Europe (to put it later in chains).
We have to honour the victims on all sides and also not every German soldier was a NAZI or a criminal, most of them went into this "adventure" without any knowledge.
But however the history has been during the past, we should never hate each other...
i just want to thank the warriors at iwo and all the ww2 vets,from the bottom of my heart thank you.
oh, i read about that! suicide planes also called , kamikazis , like, completley wrecked that ship! 123 people aboard that ship died after a bomb was dropped!
My Husbands father also was on an amphibious craft , he witnessed the raising of the flag also. he was killed helping a fellow ship mate after their ship was hit by a jap dive bomber.
he aquired severe burns and was transferred from his ship to a hospital ship where he died several months later of severe burns.
this was around may - july
do you or anyone else know of him? did you serve with him or have any pictures or stories of any kind you could email us?
it is extreamly important to us his kids/grandkids/family to know any details & pictures of him while he was in the pacific war
his name was. " MELVIN EUGENE BUHR" and was in the Navy
thank you all and god bless you for any help you can offer
My dad, William White, was with the amphibious Navy and landed with the first wave of Marines on Iwo Jima. He was on LST 684 and was there for both flag raisings. He said that island was pure hell. I'm very proud of my father, EOW 06/05/2000
My father, Arthur Angelo Arriaga, was in the 5th Marine Division and at Iwo. I lived Iwo and the Marine Corps credo all my life -- and I'm a girl! My dad has passed recently and I have two beautiful grown children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. However, nothing is more valuable and important to me than my ethical background delivered to me by my father, Marine Corp Sargeant AAA (aka Arrow). I have an Iwo sandstone carving made for my dad by one of the guys there at the sands with him -- it has IWO carved into it. It is precious to me and will always be passed along to my children's children. GO MARINES!
SEMPER FI!
My childhood was spent with an Iwo Jima veteran, I heard the same old story every supper, over and over. I always wished to be in that battle, just for the thrill or to turn insane. Those ones who claim to be patriotics, heroistics or America, democracy, free world defenders already know that that there is a price to cover. And all of us, Iwo Jima related ones find it affordable. Long live LCT crews and teen age sailors!!!
My dad was on Iwo Jima with the 5th Marine Division. I still have a hardcover book on this most famous battle. It's called "The Spearhead." I was 2 1/2 years old when he came back from Iwo, but I can still remember the screams in the middle of the night. One night when I was 3 to 4 years old my mom hit my dad with a lamp because he tried to strangle her. There were many nightmares for years later. They finally subsided, but I believe that battle was what made my dad a drinker. He was wounded during the battle, but was one of seven survivors from his Company. Thank you God for bringing him home. Every year at this time I pray for all who served on Iwo. They were true heroes.
Well I find this info somewhat useful. I lmstrobgly disagree with whoever said that the marines got all the glory and the army got nothing. Look people army navy marines air force coast guard national guard, did I miss any?? Well they all do the sand thing wich is protect our country. I am personally a fan if the Army myself but look. It does not matter which branch did it, the only thing thAt matters is that because of these wonderful men and women out there fighting for our freedom everyday... We have what we want. It sounds selfish but everyone is like that, all ecxept these brave people who do so much. I love our military !! 65thanniversary Iwo Jima tomorrow!! To think tha. I would never have known about iwo jima if it was not for Robbie( my talking walking encyclopedia) gad not told me. Now I feel bad!!
I went to the grand opening of the National D Day museum in New Orleans in June of 2000. I had one of Stephen Ambrose's books "D-Day, June 6, 1944 with me. Decided to get some autographs from some of the vets there, sat down with 3 of them and thier wives at a little restaurant and had breakfast.......and they were Doug Jacobson, Hershel Williams and Jack Lucas!!!!!! All Medal Of Honor winners at Iwo jima. I sat there in awe and listend to thier stories till almost noon!!!! Mr. Jacobson passed later that year, Mr Lucas passed from us in June of 2008, mr. WIlliams is still with us today. These men and all those who served in our Armed fforces of ANY branch deserve our respect, admiration and thanks whenever and wherever we meet them. I am doing this by my book of signatures. I also have Walter Ehlers MOH recipient from Normandy. I am a 12 year Navy vet and love this country and the people who serve it as military personal! Please give thankd to any vet you meet, they deserve a thank you, handshake and a smile!
They needed the airstrips for the B 20's flying out of Saipan as an emergency strip. It saved hundreds of flyboys lives whose planes would not have gotten back to Saipan or Tinian or Guam.
The army came in after the iland was secured as we left the beach they were on it seating around waiting to take over.
so i need some help with getting primary resources...
any ideas?
thanks for ever thing im doing a report for history and all the info was nice.you made the report easy thanks!!
who are the main leaders in both sides
Everyones doing a report
Thanks i really needed help for the Battle of Iwo Jima project!!
Thanks for this website i hav a HUGE history report to do
I ALSO AM DOING REPORT THANKS
im doing a report for my english class, and this info. is verry helpful!!! So thanks!
"The Americans knew the Japanese were expecting them, but when the field officers saw the intelligence reports, they were astonished by how many guns were present on the island. Black dots representing coastal defense guns, fox holes, artillery emplacements, anti-tank guns, blockhouses, pillboxes, and all sorts of defenses covered the whole island. The American intelligence only detected the presence of 12,000 Japanese, and even at that grossly underestimated quantity, it was already going to be a most difficult landing. Captain Dave Severance of the United States Marine Corps commented that looking at the intelligence map "scared the hell out of [him]." To soften up the defenses, beginning on 8 Dec 1944, B-29 Superfortress and B-24 Liberator bombers began pounding the island. For 70 days, the US 7th Air Force dropped 5,800 tons of bombs on the little island in 2,700 sorties. Holland Smith, the Marines general in charge of the landing operation, knew that even the most impressive aerial bombings would not be enough, and requested 10 days of naval bombardment before his Marines struck the beaches. To his surprise and anger, the Navy rejected the request. "[D]ue to limitations on the availability of ships, difficulties of ammunition replacement, and the loss of surprise", the Navy said, made a prolonged bombardment impossible. Instead, the Navy would only provide a three-day bombardment. When the bombardment began on 16 Feb, Smith realized it was not even a full three-day bombardment. Visibility limitations due to weather led to only half-day bombardments on the first and third days. Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance told Smith that he regretted the Navy's inability to suit the Marines to the fullest, but the Marines should be able to "get away with it."
I have read numerous books, accounts and military history, including Army history along with first person accounts of Company E and survivors of V Amphibious and they all say the same thing. The 4th and 5th Marine Amphibious units were the initial assaut units on Iwo Jiwa. Even though your father may have been on Iwo Jiwa at some point, there could not have have been any Americans on the island before V Amphibious landed. Iwo Jiwa was part and parcel of the Japanese Homeland. I can't seem to find any records of Army personnel on the island before February 19, 1945, you might want to do your own research and come to your own conclusions. The Marine casualties numbered more than 26,000, whereas there were only around 22,000 Japanese on the island altogether. The entire island was bombed for 72 days before the Marines landed and for another 3 days from the guns of the invading ships. There could not have been an American Army force there. I honor your father for serving his country, but someone's account is a little skewed.
Dear Mr. Harvey.
I respecfully very much disagree with your view that the invasion of Iwo Jima was "a very stupid idea" from any point of view.
Your suggestion for a strategy of blockade of the island and "wait until the defenders starve" cannot possibly work in this 20th century era of modern warfare. The siege which you claimed "would have taken about the same amount of time as the battle and Victory achieved without a shot fired" could not occur due to the simple fact: Time.
Time was the essence here... America was racing against time. America needed badly a base for its bombers to land safely back from increasing raids to mainland Japan and to lay future ground for an invasion to Japan.
Anyway, the Americans were too confident with their invasion force strengths, experience in Saipan and arial bombardment to soften or annihilate any resistance from the Japanese.
Do refer to this link below:
http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=12
The following excerpts are taken from it:
"The Americans knew the Japanese were expecting them, but when the field officers saw the intelligence reports, they were astonished by how many guns were present on the island. Black dots representing coastal defense guns, fox holes, artillery emplacements, anti-tank guns, blockhouses, pillboxes, and all sorts of defenses covered the whole island. The American intelligence only detected the presence of 12,000 Japanese, and even at that grossly underestimated quantity, it was already going to be a most difficult landing. Captain Dave Severance of the United States Marine Corps commented that looking at the intelligence map "scared the hell out of [him]." To soften up the defenses, beginning on 8 Dec 1944, B-29 Superfortress and B-24 Liberator bombers began pounding the island. For 70 days, the US 7th Air Force dropped 5,800 tons of bombs on the little island in 2,700 sorties. Holland Smith, the Marines general in charge of the landing operation, knew that even the most impressive aerial bombings would not be enough, and requested 10 days of naval bombardment before his Marines struck the beaches. To his surprise and anger, the Navy rejected the request. "[D]ue to limitations on the availability of ships, difficulties of ammunition replacement, and the loss of surprise", the Navy said, made a prolonged bombardment impossible. Instead, the Navy would only provide a three-day bombardment. When the bombardment began on 16 Feb, Smith realized it was not even a full three-day bombardment. Visibility limitations due to weather led to only half-day bombardments on the first and third days. Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance told Smith that he regretted the Navy's inability to suit the Marines to the fullest, but the Marines should be able to "get away with it."
This may be a very stupid idea from a military point of view.
But why not blokade the island with all those ships, just sit and wait until they starve. Which would have taken about the same amount of time as the battle. Victory without a shot fired.
I would like for any veteran of Iwo Jima to comment about their experiences. There seems to be a great deal of misinformation
about the order of battle, length of engagement, etc. Since WWII
veterans are passing so quickly, our oppurtunity to learn first
hand experiences get more precious every day. My father, a member
of General Pattons 3rd Army, told me of his experiences in the
relief of the embattled men of the 101st Airborne in and around The
Battle of the Bulge. To have lived through that awful winter and
conflict is something I have difficulty imagining. I have the highest regard for all of our servicemen and women. Any comments
or narratives will be greatly appreciated.
sincerely, John N. Kennedy 01/04/10
Robin,
I was in the Navy Amphibious force aboard a LSM, aka 'Landing Ship Medium' and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Prior to that invasion, by three marine divisions the 3rd, 4th and 5th, there were no army personnel on Iwo Jima. Starting on December 8, 1944 Iwo Jima was bombed for 72 consecutive days prior to the invasion. All branches of the service, including marines, coast guard, army, army air force and navy took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima but the marines are the ones that battled for 36 days to secure the island.
I found it frankly distasteful and unnecessary to see the famous picture of the flag raising being used by the striking BRITISH AIRWAYS cabin staff UNION in London called BASSA. Surely these people cannot in any way see themselves as fighting a just war ?
http://www.bassa.co.uk/BASSA/webpages/front.asp
I am doing a project on Iwo Jima and i could use your help if you get this email and if you have time could tell me some in fromation on Iwo Jima. from paige
I was in the Navy and landed with the marines on the first wave. We were suppossed to have the island secured in 3 days but it ended
in 29 days and I was on the island the whole time and saw the raising,of the flag twice. The Army camr on to the island near the end to take over for the Marines.
Pete
that's because the Army was used to "mop up". They arrived in late March 1945. The Army was not there prior to the USMC.
i have about every book i can find about Iwo Jima. I love the intensity... not being a person that likes the war cause i dont. but to kno what happened at that time and what actually happened kinda gives me excitment. Im 13 years old and I enjoy reading all about the facts of the war. if you would e-mail me back with some really entresting facts that you kno about the war I would love to kno about them.
Thank You
Just another Person
Alissa Luigs
I have just read the book SO SAD TO FALL IN BATTLE- AN ACCOUNT OF WAR BASED ON GENERAL TADAMIKCHI KURIBAYASHI"S LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. I recommend it most highly.
I was a member of the 24th Infantry Division which fought the Japanese in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands - not in the Central Pacific in which Iwo Jima was located. After having read the book I consider myself fortunate that my outfit was not a part of the force invading that island. I have to say that the reading of the book left me with a sincere admiration of the General as a genuine family man, an excellent soldier and a true patriot.
My dad was a Sargent in the Army and was in Iwo Jima for some time before the Marines came in. He is the recipient of 7 Battle Stars. He was very upset that the Army never received any credit for their accomplishments. He was very angry that the Marines got all the glory putting up the Flag, when the army had been there long before. He felt that the Marines came in towards the end and received all the glory. I am looking for information on the Army in Iwo Jima.
I recently watched a documentary on Iwo Jima and it did not mention once about the Army being there and what those men had to endure. It only mentioned what the Marines did. All the Army men who fought and gave their lives have been forgotten.
My dad did not like to talk about the war much, but that was the one thing that he was proud of but hurt by at the same time.