2/21 Marines continuing their advance North and South on the island.
- Intense Kamikaze attacks strike U.S. naval invasion ships.
- The carrier Bismark Sea is sunk and carrier Saratoga is also damaged.
- fighting on the island now a bitter frontal attack reminiscent of the trench warfare of WW I.
- Daily gains are measured in yards with long bitter fighting for each objective.
2/22 Marines finally have Mt. Suribachi surrounded and begin to move up the face of the mountain.
2/23 First units of Marines now at the top of Mt. Suribachi after bitter fighting.
- Patrol led by Lt. Harold Schreir raises a small flag on top of Mt. Suribachi. at 10:20 A.M.
- Later a larger flag is brought from an LST(Landing Ship Tank) and raised.
This was the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal that the rest of the world saw.
- Advancements to north now have advanced to the second airfield which is located in the center of the island.
2/24 4th and 5th Marines attack after a 76 minute naval bombardment. Followed by an airstrike and supporting artillery. It would be the tanks that led the way for both divisions.
- The Japanese able to soon stop the tanks with ant-tank guns and mines.
- By the end of the day the 5th had only gained 500 yards
- 3rd Marine division called in to lead the attack on the center of the Japanese line.
2/25 3rd Marine division begins attack on the center of the Japanese line at 9:30 A.M.
- This area was the strongest point of the Japanese defenses.
- Flame throwing tanks brought in to burn out the Japanese defenders in their pillboxes.
- At high casualties the movement forward by the Marines was very slow.
2/28 Marines finally occupy the high ground over looking airfield #3.
- The objectives had been achieved but a number of hills around airfield #3 were still occupied by Japanese.
2/31 Marines begin to attack hills 382 and 362A.
- Both hills were much smaller than Mt. Suribachi. the size was very misleading
- The hills had both been hollowed out and turned into huge blockhouses.
- They contained pillboxes, antitank guns and concealed artillery.
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The smaller hills besides the two in this area were given nicknames like the Turkey Knob, Meat Grinder and the Amphitheater
- Some of the most intense fighting was fought to capture hill 382
3/1 Marines finally take hill 382 now move on to capture 362A
3/2For the attack on hill 362A the Marines decide on a night attack.
- The tactics did suprise the Japanese but fierce fighting and difficult terrain delayed the hills capture until March 8th.
- Even with the Marines occupying the strategic points on the island the Japanese still continued to fight in smaller pockets.
3/4 First damaged B29 lands in Iwo Jima while fighting continues all around the island.
3/6 First P-51 begin arriving on the capture airfields to provide air support for the Marines. This also relieves Task Force 58 to begin preparations for Okinawa on 4/1.
3/8 The Japanese attempt to launch a counter attack between two Marine regiments (23rd and 24th)
- The attack was stopped because the Japanese were without artillery support and were cught in the open by the U.S. Marine artillery.
- The Japanese lost 650 men in that attack alone.
3/15 resistance continues in many small pockets located on the island.
- Many Japanese are infiltrating behind the U.S. lines to disrupt communication and attack headquarters.
3/25 Last pocket of Japanese resistace was secured at Kitano Point.
- That night over 200 Japanese infiltrate behind U.S. lines
- Legend says that the Japanese commander of the island led the attack.(Gen.Kurbayashi)
- The next morning over 250 Japanese lay dead around the Marines lines.
- That was the end of the resistance and the island was declared secure on 3/26.
4/7 100 P51's now stationed on the island and are escorting B29's on raids to Japan.
Total Losses
U.S. personnel 6,821 Killed 19,217 Wounded 2,648 Combat Fatigue Total 28,686
Marine Casualties 23,573
Japanese Troops 1,083 POW and 20,000 est. Killed
Final Analysis of the Battle
- The Naval bombardment of only 3 days leading up to the invasion was far short than what was required. The Marines had requested 13 days of prelanding bombardment but were denied this request because of commitments to MaCarthur's campaign in Luzon.
- The U.S. had underestimated the Japanese strenght on the island by as much as 70 percent.
- The change in Japanese tactics was not ever contemplated because of earlier invasions on Saipan, Tarawa and Peleliu. These all had early Banzai attacks that were easily defeated and turned the tide of each invasion. This would not be the case with Iwo Jima.
- The nature and the difficulty of the soil on the island was never examined before the invasion.
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The estimates made on the U.S. casualties was underestimated by 80 percent. 23,000 Casualties out of 70,000 Marines. Over third of the total Marines who participated in the invasion were either Killed, Wounded or suffered from Battle Fatigue.
- This would be a strong warning of what was to come with the invasion of Okinawa.
Battle for Iwo Jima
"The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off ultimate defeat."
"By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the American who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
--Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Iwo Jima, which means sulfur island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy's air and naval capabilities.
The seizure of Iwo Jima was deemed necessary, but the prize would not come easy. The fighting that took place during the 36-day assault would be immortalized in the words of Commander, Pacific Fleet/Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who said, "Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
To the Japanese leadership, the capture of Iwo Jima meant the battle for Okinawa, and the invasion of Japan itself, was not far off.
Commanders
Commanders for the operation, code named Detachment, were assigned as follows:
--Admiral Raymond A. Spruance was the operation's overall commander.
--Joint Expeditionary Force commander was Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner. Second in command of the Joint Expeditionary Force was Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill.
--Lieutenant General Holland M. "Howlin' Mad" Smith was assigned as the commanding general of expeditionary troops.
--The 54th Amphibious Corps was commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt. Under his command fell the 3rd Marine Division commander, Major General Graves B. Erskine; the 4th Marine Division commander, Major General Clifton B. Cates; and the 5th Marine Division commander, Major General Keller E. Rockey.
Bombardment
Initial carrier raids against Iwo Jima began in June 1944. Prior to the invasion, the 8-square-mile island would suffer the longest, most intensive shelling of any Pacific island during the war. The 7th Air Force, working out of the Marianas, supplied the B-24 heavy bombers for the campaign. In addition to the air assaults on Iwo, the Marines requested 10 days of pre-invasion naval bombardment. Due to other operational commitments and the fact that a prolonged air assault had been waged on Iwo Jima, Navy planners authorized only three days of naval bombardment. Unfavorable weather conditions would further hamper the effects of naval bombardment. Despite this, Turner decided to keep the invasion date as planned, and the Marines prepared for the Feb. 19 D-day.
D-day
More than 450 ships massed off Iwo as the H-hour bombardment pounded the island. Shortly after 9 a.m., Marines of the 4th and 5th divisions hit beaches Green, Red, Yellow and Blue abreast, initially finding little enemy resistance. Coarse volcanic sand hampered the movement of men and machines as they struggled to move up the beach. As the protective naval gunfire subsided to allow for the Marine advance, the Japanese emerged form their fortified underground positions to begin a heavy barrage of fire against the invading force.
The 4th Marine Division pushed forward against heavy opposition to take the Quarry, a Japanese strong point. The 5th Marine Division's 28th Marines had the mission of isolating Mount Suribachi. Both tasks were accomplished that day.
The Battle Continues
Feb. 20, one day after the landing, the 28th Marines secured the southern end of Iwo and moved to take the summit of Suribachi. By day's end, one third of the island and Motoyama Airfield No. 1 was controlled by the Marines. By Feb. 23, the 28th Marines would reach the top of Mount Suribachi and raise the U.S. flag.
The 3rd Marine Division joined the fighting on the fifth day of the battle. These Marines immediately began the mission of securing the center sector of the island. Each division fought hard to gain ground against a determined Japanese defender. The Japanese leaders knew with the fall of Suribachi and the capture of the airfields that the Marine advance on the island could not be stopped; however, they would make the Marines fight for every inch of land they won.
Lieutenant General Tadamishi Kuribayashi, commander of the ground forces on Iwo Jima, concentrated his energies and his forces in the central and northern sections of the island. Miles of interlocking caves, concrete blockhouses and pillboxes proved to be one of the most impenetrable defenses encountered by the Marines in the Pacific.
The Marines worked together to drive the enemy from the high ground. Their goal was to capture the area that appropriately became known as the "Meat Grinder." This section of the island included three distinct terrain features, which were the highest point on the northern portion of the island, Hill 382; an elevation known as "Turkey Knob," which had been reinforced with concrete and was home to a large enemy communications center; and the "Amphitheater," a southeastern extension of Hill 382.
The 3rd Marine Division encountered the most heavily fortified portion of the island in their move to take Airfield No. 2. As with most of the fighting on Iwo Jima, frontal assault was the method used to gain each inch of ground. By nightfall on March 9, the 3rd division reached the island's northeastern beach, cutting the enemy defenses in two.
On the left of the 3rd Marine Division, the 5th Marine Division pushed up the western coast of Iwo Jima from the central airfield to the island's northern tip. Moving to seize and hold the eastern portion of the island, the 4th Marine Division encountered a "mini banzai" attack from the final members of the Japanese Navy serving on Iwo. This attack resulted in the death of nearly 700 enemy and ended the centralized resistances of enemy forces in the 4th division's sector. The 4th division would join forces with the 3rd and 5th at the coast on March 10.
A proud moment for those who worked so hard to gain control of the island was when the first emergency landing was made by a B-29 bomber on March 4. Repairs were made, refueling was completed and the aircraft was off to complete its mission.
Operations entered the final phases March 11, enemy resistance was no longer centralized. Individual pockets of resistance were taken one by one.
Finally on March 26, following a banzai attack against troops and air corps personnel near the beaches, the island was declared secure. The U.S. Army's 147th Infantry Regiment assumed ground control of the island on April 4, relieving the largest body of Marines committed in combat in one operation during World War II.
Campaign Results
The 36-day assault resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived. The Marines' efforts, however, provided a vital link in the U.S. chain of bomber bases. By war's end, 2,400 B-29 bombers carrying 27,000 crewman made unscheduled landings on the island.
Historians described U.S. forces' attack against the Japanese defense as "throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete." In the end, Iwo Jima was won not only by the fighting spirit of the Marines, but by the meticulous planning and support provided by the Navy and Army through supply efforts, medical care, and air and naval gunfire.
Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines and sailors, many posthumously more than were awarded for any other single operation during the war.
Two flag-raisings
At 8 a.m. on Feb. 23, a patrol of 40 men from 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, led by 1st Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier, assembled at the base of Mount Suribachi. The platoon's mission was to take the crater of Suribachi's peak and raise the U.S. flag.
The platoon slowly climbed the steep trails to the summit, but encountered no enemy fire. As they reached the top, the patrol members took positions around the crater watching for pockets of enemy resistance as other members of the patrol looked for something on which to raise the flag.
At 10:20 a.m., the flag was hoisted on a steel pipe above the island by First Lieutenant Harold Schrier, platoon commander, Sergeant Ernest I. Thomas, platoon sergeant, Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, and Private First Class James R. Nicel. This symbol of victory sent a wave of strength to the battle-weary fighting men below, and struck a further mental blow against the island's defenders.
Marine Corps photographer Sergeant Lou Lowery captured this first flag-raising on film just as the enemy hurled a grenade in his direction. Dodging the grenade Lowery hurled his body over the edge of the crater and tumbled 50 feet. His camera lens was shattered, but he and his film were safe.
Three hours later another patrol was dispatched to raise another larger flag. The battle for Iwo Jima is encapsulated by this historic flag-raising atop Suribachi, which was captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. His photo, seen around the world as a symbol of American values, would earn him many awards including the 1945 Pulitzer Prize. The flag-raisers as seen in the photo, are (from left to right) Private First Class Ira H. Hayes, Private First Class Franklin R. Sousley, Sergeant Michael Strank, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class John Bradley, Private First Class Rene A. Gagnon, and Corporal Harlon Block.
Over the years, the flag-raising has come to symbolize the spirit of the Corps to all Marines. On Nov. 10, 1954, a bronze monument of the flag-raising, sculpted by Felix de Weldon and located in Arlington National Cemetery, was dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of their country.
Then Vice President Richard M. Nixon said, "This statue symbolizes the hopes and dreams of America, and the real purpose of our foreign policy. We realized that to retain freedom for ourselves, we must be concerned when people in other parts of the world may lose theirs. There is no greater challenge to statesmanship than to find a way that such sacrifices as this statue represents are not necessary in the future, and to build the kind of world in which people can be free, in which nations can be independent, and in which people can live together in peace and friendship."
Men of the 25th Marines are pinned down as they hit the beach. Making their fourth assault in 13 months, the veteran fighters are ready to secure the beachhead's right flank.
The 3rd 4th and 5th marine division below, above is the symbol for the battle of Iwo Jima
The tiny island of Iwo Jima is just under five miles long and two and a half miles wide at its widest point and has been described by many as a "pork chop" when viewed from the air. Located slightly south and west of the midpoint between Tokyo and Saipan, Iwo Jima is 625 miles north of Saipan and 660 miles south of Tokyo. The name of the island, Iwo Jima, translates to Sulfur Island for the numerous ground vents that spew sulfur fumes from underground sulfur springs. The island is mostly barren, with a 556-foot extinct volcano on the southern tip of the island (Mt. Suribachi), black sands, rocky cliffs, and no source of drinkable water.
Situated between the Marianas Islands and Okinawa, the small island of Iwo Jima was another key link in the Allies' island-hopping strategy. Knowing this, the Japanese had fortified the island with a network of underground tunnels and bunkers. The battle for Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in U.S. Marine history, as the Japanese contested every foot of the island, often emerging from caves into territory thought secure. It was the largest armada invasion of the Pacific War. Although the famous flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi took place in mid-February, it was another month before the island was completely secured.
The amphibious assault on Iwo Jima was considered to be the "ultimate storm landing," with a striking force of 74,0000 Marines. The US sent more Marines to Iwo than to any other battle, 110,000 Soldiers in 880 Ships. The convoy of 880 US Ships sailed from Hawaii to Iwo in 40 days. Although planners estimated the attack on Iwo should have been over within a week or less, they hadn't planned on the stubborn, savvy fighting of the estimated 21,000 Japanese troops on the island, who were experienced in island warfare after their many campaigns in the Pacific. Caves throughout the island were utilized by the Japanese military for a hospital, headquarters for the various Japanese officers on island, and even a sauna. Mt. Suribachi housed a seven-story interior structure used by the Japanese for stockpiling weapons, ammo, radios, fuel, and rations.
The US Air Force pounded Iwo in the longest sustained aerial offensive of the war. "No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima."(Admiral Nimitz, CINPAC) Incredibly, this ferocious bombardment had little affect. Hardly any of the Japanese underground fortresses were touched.
A U.S. military commander rallied his troops to battle on Iwo with these words: "Every man will resist until the end, making his position his tomb. Every man will do his best to kill ten enemy soldiers." Over 6,000 U.S. Marines, sailors and soldiers died, over 18,000 were wounded and over 500 were presumed dead or MIA. Twenty-six U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen received Iwo Jima Medal of Honor Citations for their gallant bravery in combat on Iwo Jima.
What started as a quick, violent attack on February 19, 1945, turned into 36 days of some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting the Marines had encountered. The U.S. Marine 4th and 5th Divisions led the invasion, with the 3rd Division in reserve. The first day saw 2,400 American casualties but, during the battle U.S. Marines, sailors and soldiers killed an estimated 20,000 Japanese and captured over 1,000 prisoners. On March 25, the Battle of Iwo Jima was finally over, with the U.S. the victor.
With control of Iwo Jima and its airfield, the Americans could launch smaller fighter planes to serve as escorts and defenders for the B-29s which made bombing runs to mainland Japan.
