Transcript The Battle of Iwo Jima - MrsVosburg

The Battle of Iwo
Jima
Kelly Corcoran
Period 2
Background
• Iwo Jima is a small island
located in the Pacific.
• Specifically at the end of a
chain of islands named
Bonin, closer to Honshu,
Japan
• One of the many volcanic
islands of Japan.
• Just over 2.5 miles wide
and 4.5 miles long.
• Before 1945, it had a single
school and police officer.
• Relied on sulfur mining,
fishing, sugarcane farming,
and importing.
Reasons for War
United States
Japan
Gain land and air for:
Defending for:
1.
1. Tactical importance in
location.
2. Multiple airfields.
3. Soldiers and citizens.
2.
3.
Emergency landing for B29 jets bombing Japan.
Shorter-range fighters
escorting the Super
fortresses to pit-stop.
Hurting Japan
emotionally.
Strategies
Japan
Leader: Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi
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21,000 soldiers
Usual tactic was fighting from the
beaches, but the United States had
too many men to fight off.
Instead, they constructed an
elaborate system of tunnels and
caves dug into the island itself.
United States
Leader: Admiral Chester Nimitz
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•
80,000 soldiers
Start off with rounds of bombing.
When weakened, they would land
on the island and attack from the
beaches.
The Fighting Begins
Though the Americans began bombing sometime before, the actual war did not start until
February 19, 1945, the first day of ground assault.
The Americans were surprised to find that their bombing was not as effective as expected. The
explosions churned up the beaches leaving plenty of opportunity for the Japanese to get
snipers ready for action.
Though a bit overwhelmed, the Americans had a few tricks up their sleeves as well. They
brought over forms of flamethrowers that shot out flaming liquid that they kept in tanks
on their backs. The Japanese feared these weapons more than any other, because the fire
could reach them no matter where they hid.
Even with over 2,400 casualties, the American marines had taken half of the island on the first
day. Their last task was to conquer over Mount Suribachi-an active volcano on the coast of
the island.
In the End
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Their last chance at a win was to conquor
Mount Suribachi.
Groups of four or five marines would try their
luck at mounting the American flag atop the
rough, mine stricken volcano.
When all seemed lost, they finally made it
after several attempts and several long days of
fighting.
It took all of the men to force the staff into the
rocky soil, which would be the first foreign
flag ever placed on Japanese territory.
This monumental moment was photographed
by Joe Rosenthal, who died on August 21,
2006.
The war started to come to a close in March
when the Japanese were trapped around
Kitano Point.
By March 26th, the island was securly in the
hands of the United States, and all fighting had
came to an end.
A slap in the face for the Japanese, but also
showed Americans how far the Japanese would
go to defend their country.
Casualties:
– Japan: 21,569
Kidnappings: 216
– United States: 26,038
Deaths: 6,821
Remembering the Battle
•
Even after 66 years since this 35-day battle took place, America still takes the
time to reminisce on those lost.
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The United States have named several ships “USS Iwo Jima,” after this glorious
battle.
Iwo Jima Day is honored annually on February 19th in the State House of
Massachusetts.
Several movies have been made to interpret the battle such as “Letter from iwo
Jima” and “Flags of Our Fathers.”
On February 19, 1985, which would be the 40th anniversary of the landings, the
first Reunion of Honor took place
– This event featured both Japanese and American veterans, though at different
locations. The Japanese had a monument on mountain side while Americans had one
on the shore.
Bibliography
Costello, John. The Pacific War. New York: Rawson, Wade, 1982. Print.
Rice, Earle. Strategic Battles in the Pacific. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000.
Print.
Stiner, Megan L. "Department of Defense - Battle for Iwo Jima." The
Official Home of the Department of Defense. 17 Feb. 2006. Web. 07
Feb. 2011.
<http://www.defense.gov/home/features/iwo_jima/iwo.html>.