Mission Over Iwo Jima [The Battle]

The Jeeter Bug B-24 Liberator

The Battle

Iwo Jima was a strategically important island 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 began on February 19, 1945. That was known as the Pacific D-Day. On that day, more than 450 ships massed of Iwo as the H-our bombardment pounded the island. Shortly after 9 a.m., Marines of the 4^th and 5^th divisions hit beaches, Green, Red, Yellow and Blue, initially finding little enemy resistance. Course volcanic said 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 from their fortified underground positions to begin a heavy barrage of fire against the invading force.

The 4^th Marine Division pushed forward against heavy opposition to take the Quarry, a Japanese strongpoint. The 5^th Marine Division's 28^th Marines had the mission of isolating Mount Suribachi. Both tasks were accomplished that day.

The 36-day assault resulted in more than 26,000 American causalities, including 6,800 dead. Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived. The Marines' effort provided a vital link in the U.S. chain of comber bases. By war's end, 2,400 B-29 bombers carrying 27,000 crewmen made unscheduled landings on the island.

Additional Information

home

	The Jeeter Bug B-24 Liberator


	The Battle Iwo Jima was a strategically important island 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 began on February 19, 1945. That was known as the Pacific D-Day. On that day, more than 450 ships massed of Iwo as the H-our bombardment pounded the island. Shortly after 9 a.m., Marines of the 4^th and 5^th divisions hit beaches, Green, Red, Yellow and Blue, initially finding little enemy resistance. Course volcanic said 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 from their fortified underground positions to begin a heavy barrage of fire against the invading force. The 4^th Marine Division pushed forward against heavy opposition to take the Quarry, a Japanese strongpoint. The 5^th Marine Division's 28^th Marines had the mission of isolating Mount Suribachi. Both tasks were accomplished that day. The 36-day assault resulted in more than 26,000 American causalities, including 6,800 dead. Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived. The Marines' effort provided a vital link in the U.S. chain of comber bases. By war's end, 2,400 B-29 bombers carrying 27,000 crewmen made unscheduled landings on the island. Additional Information www.ddaymuseum.org www.iwojima.com www.webtravels.com www.geocities.com www.ibiblio.org www.onwar.com home