he Battle of Iwo Jima was supposed to take only five days according to U.S. military analysis. This invasion quickly became a killing field. Facing Japanese soldiers who were ordered to sacrifice their lives, the Americans fought a dedicated foe. Iwo Jima was a major battle in the Pacific Theater and a costly victory for the United States. The island became a base for bombers on their way to Japan and a refueling station for U.S. troops in the Pacific. The Battle of Iwo Jima was immortalized by the photo of six men raising an American flag atop Mount Suribachi, but of these men only three left the island and only one led a normal life. Over 6,800 Americans gave their lives, 27 earned medals of honor, and for those who went home, they would never forget the killing fields of Iwo Jima.
The Battle of Iwo Jima
T
People or Groups: Role
Japanese Commander on Iwo Jima
People or Groups: Role
Commander of U.S. forces during the Battle of Iwo Jima
Also Known As
Operation Detachment
Event
Battle of Iwo Jima
To
26/03/1945
From
19/02/1945
Casualties: Japan
19,000 casualties and deaths, 1,000 taken prisoner
Casualties: United States
25,000 casualties, with 6,800 dead
Other: Marine Divisions land on Iwo Jima
19/02/1945
Other: U.S. Navy bombs the Volcano and Bonin Islands
Other: Amphibious Corps landing force leaves for Iwo Jima
15/02/1945
Other: First B-29s land on Iwo Jima
4/03/1945
Other: The last U.S. Marines leave Iwo Jima
18/04/1945
Other: Japanese survivors launch a final desperate attack
25/03/1945
Other: The 28th Marines plant flag on Mt. Suribachi
23/02/1945
Other: Last Japanese fight in Cushman’s Pocket defeated
16/03/1945
Other: Bombing of Iwo Jima by Amphibious Support Force
Other: Nimitz informs Gen. Smith that Iwo Jima is target
9/10/1944
Other: U.S. Military Government proclaimed on Iwo Jima
14/03/1945
Location
Iwo Jima
Name
General Kuribayashi
Name
General Holland Smith
Sources
Rene Gagnon
D-day Normandy Invasion
Japan in World War II
Chester W Nimitz
Clifton Cates
Hershel Woodrow Williams
Forces War Records, The Battle of Iwo Jima (https://nz.forceswarrecords.com/memorial/83002491/the-battle-of-iwo-jima : accessed 26/08/2024), database and images, https://nz.forceswarrecords.com/memorial/83002491/the-battle-of-iwo-jima