Battle of Iwo Jima

Chronological Storyline (20 Milestones)

Feb 19, 1945 CE

Mount Suribachi isolated from north

The 28th Marine Regiment moved to cut off the base of Mount Suribachi, separating the Japanese defenders on the volcano from the rest of the island. This maneuver was critical to securing the Marine landing beaches from flanking fire. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: history.army.mil ↗

Feb 19, 1945 CE

Marines land on Iwo Jima beaches

The 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on the southeastern beaches of Iwo Jima under intense Japanese fire. The soft black volcanic sand hampered movement, and Marines struggled to advance inland while exposed to Kuribayashi's well-positioned defenses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 20, 1945 CE

Marines advance on Suribachi and airfield

The 28th Marines fought up the slopes of Mount Suribachi while the 4th Marine Division advanced toward Motoyama Airfield No. 1. Japanese defenders in pillboxes and tunnels inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing Marines. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 21, 1945 CE

Kamikaze attacks hit US escort carriers

Japanese kamikaze aircraft from the mainland struck the US Navy task force supporting the landings, damaging the escort carrier USS Saratoga and sinking USS Bismarck Sea. These attacks aimed to disrupt American naval support for the Marines ashore. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bismarck_Sea_(CVE-95)

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Source: history.navy.mil ↗

Feb 22, 1945 CE

3rd Marine Division lands as reinforcement

The 3rd Marine Division came ashore to reinforce the assault, joining the 4th and 5th Divisions already engaged. General Holland Smith now had three divisions committed to overcoming Kuribayashi's entrenched defenses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Marine_Division_(United_States)

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 23, 1945 CE

Second, larger flag raised on Suribachi

Later that same afternoon, a larger flag was raised on Mount Suribachi so it could be seen across the island. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the iconic image of the second flag raising, which became one of the most famous photographs of World War II. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 23, 1945 CE

First flag raised on Mount Suribachi

A small patrol of the 28th Marines led by Lt. Harold Schrier reached the summit of Mount Suribachi and raised a small American flag. The sight boosted morale across the island and the fleet below. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 24, 1945 CE

Marines push north beyond Suribachi

With Suribachi secured, Marine divisions pushed northward into the rugged terrain of the Motoyama plateau. The fighting shifted from beachhead assaults to grinding frontal attacks against Kuribayashi's defense-in-depth tunnel and bunker network. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: history.army.mil ↗

Feb 25, 1945 CE

4th Marine Division assaults Hill 382

The 4th Marine Division encountered fierce resistance at Hill 382, part of a complex of terrain features that Marines called the Meat Grinder. Japanese machine-gun and mortar fire from interconnected caves caused severe casualties. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Feb 27, 1945 CE

Motoyama Airfield No. 1 secured

Marine forces secured Motoyama Airfield No. 1 in the central part of the island. The capture of the airfield was a primary objective, intended to support emergency landings by B-29 bombers raiding Japan. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: afhra.af.mil ↗

Mar 1, 1945 CE

Marines fight for the Meat Grinder

The 3rd Marine Division attacked the complex of hills and ravines known as the Meat Grinder, including Hills 382 and 362A. Japanese defenders used the tunnel network to emerge behind advancing Marines, making every gain costly. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 3, 1945 CE

Hill 382 finally captured by Marines

After days of intense combat, the 4th Marine Division secured Hill 382, one of the most heavily fortified positions in the Meat Grinder sector. The capture came at the cost of hundreds of Marine casualties. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 5, 1945 CE

Hill 362A taken after fierce fighting

The 3rd Marine Division captured Hill 362A, a key Japanese strongpoint on the northern plateau. Kuribayashi's defenders fought from underground positions to the last man, refusing to surrender even when surrounded. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: history.army.mil ↗

Mar 7, 1945 CE

Marines assault Hill 362B

The 5th Marine Division launched an assault on Hill 362B, another fortified position in the northern sector. The attack required flamethrowers and demolition charges to clear the interconnected Japanese tunnels and bunkers. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 10, 1945 CE

Marines reach Iwo Jima's northern coast

Elements of the 3rd Marine Division reached the northern coast of the island, effectively splitting the remaining Japanese forces. The achievement marked a turning point as the battle shifted to mopping up isolated pockets of resistance. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 14, 1945 CE

B-29s make first emergency landing on Iwo Jima

A damaged B-29 Superfortress made the first emergency landing on Iwo Jima's newly repaired airfield, validating the strategic rationale for capturing the island. This demonstrated the airfield's value in saving the lives of bomber crews. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: afhra.af.mil ↗

Mar 16, 1945 CE

5th Marine Division assaults Kitano Point

The 5th Marine Division attacked the last major Japanese defensive zone around Kitano Point at the island's northern tip. General Kuribayashi's command post was located in a cave system in this area, where he directed the final defense. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 21, 1945 CE

Kuribayashi's final defensive pocket compressed

Marine forces compressed the remaining Japanese defenders into a small area near Kitano Point. General Kuribayashi reportedly sent a final message to Tokyo indicating his forces were nearly annihilated and the end was near. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadamichi_Kuribayashi

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Source: history.army.mil ↗

Mar 25, 1945 CE

Kuribayashi leads final banzai charge

General Kuribayashi led a final banzai charge of approximately 200-300 remaining Japanese soldiers against Marine positions near Kitano Point. The attack was repulsed with heavy Japanese losses, and Kuribayashi was killed in the fighting. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadamichi_Kuribayashi

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗

Mar 26, 1945 CE

Battle of Iwo Jima declared over

General Holland Smith declared the island secured after 36 days of combat. The battle cost the United States over 26,000 casualties including nearly 7,000 killed, while the Japanese garrison of approximately 21,000 was virtually annihilated. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

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Source: usmcu.edu ↗