The island of Iwo Jima, now called IOTO (sulfur island) was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The
U.S. Marines landed in February 1945 and fought against the Japanese
Imperial forces until March, when they finally managed to conquer the
island. The Japanese resistance was extreme, which led them to lose almost all his men.
On this island, at the top of Mount Suribachi, it was made the famous photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.
VISITING IWO JIMA
Nowadays visiting Iwo Jima is almost impossible. It belongs to the army and there is only a naval base of the forces of Japan. No civilians live there. You can only go to Iwo Jima with an organized tour that visit the island once a year. The company http://www.miltours.com
organizes tours for military veterans, family members or people
interested. They meet every year in Guam to commemorate the anniversary of the battle. From there, an airplane takes them to Iwo Jima. This tour departs from Los Angeles and the places are very limited because they have a single aircraft to fly to the island. The tour price is about $3500.
REMAINS OF THE BATTLE AND MEMORIALS OF IWO JIMA
Here I show you some of the things that you can find on the island today. There are many more relics of the battle. The land is full of caves, bunkers, artillery and grenade shrapnel damage.
American Memorial Iwo Jima :
Location: here .
The memorial is situated where the American flag was raised on February 12, 1945. It commemorates the valor and sacrifice of the Marines.
The memorial is situated where the American flag was raised on February 12, 1945. It commemorates the valor and sacrifice of the Marines.
Photo: Kawetijoru
The beach landing:
Location: here .
The beach where American troops entered the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Division on February 19, 1945.
Photo: Seigo
Location: here .
Here were treated the Japanese soldiers wounded in battle.
Photos: Warrick
Seabee Memorial:
Location: here .
This work of art was created by the Navy Seabee few days after the end of the battle. It represents the flag raising on Mount Suribachi.
Photo: Warrick
Japanese bunkers:
Location: here.
Photo: Seigo
Photo: jpjonesusn
American Tank:
Location: here .
M4A3 Sherman tank belonging to the 4th Tank Battalion. He was eliminated during the battle.
Photo: JohnnyHN
Japanese coastal Canyon:
Location: here .
It lies north of Mount Suribachi.
Photo: JohnnyHN
Sources:
http://en.tracesofwar.com
Maybe "too much time" has finally passed Iwo Jima by time itself. Hope not. This "great though tragic" chapter has earned its place in history. No, it should not be reduced to "hiking" and biking. But somehow a way to properly honor Iwo Jima and those (on both sides) who died could/should be found. Otherwise, Iwo and its will just eventually evaporate away. Shame. These great heroics made by both sides should not be forgotten. BILL SMITH, P.O. Box 516, Malibu CA 902675, son of two American officers from WW2, no longer alive, but we can still feel Iwo Jima's heart politely pounding away.
ReplyDeletemy heart and soul goes out to our brave fighting men who stormed ashore on that fateful day, and the days that followed. Uncommonn valor was a common virtue, only stratches the surface of what all those men faced no matter what branch of service they fought with. may God bless them and those loved ones they left behind. i hope that peace will enter their hearts and to those still with us my heartfelt thanks for keeping us all free. i hope we as Americans never forget that sacrifice and that we will instill in our generations to come, a pride that only we as Americans can appreciate. I am the wife of a USAF retired Captain and the mother of an USA and USN veteran,. Thank you all for your service now and in the generations to come.....
ReplyDeleteWar is war. Not all the 'heart goes out' nonsense jargon, and harms way talk talk. Men fight to kill. Nothing else.
ReplyDeleteIt's kill him, or he kills me. And the bottom line, as it has been for thousands of years, it's all about power and money.
Quit kidding yourselves people. Devil is on both sides.
Your assertion that 'Devil is on both sides' is absurd. The U.S., Britain, Canada, etc. never were and never will be perfect because human beings are involved. But to imply moral equivalence between Tojo's japan and the U.S. is morally wrong. The Japanese government under Tojo was a tyranny. They planned to try to repel an invasion of Japan by arming girls, boys and old men and women in civilian clothes armed with sharpened sticks setting them up for a slaughter. The government didn't care about their citizens so it is no wonder they brutalized other countries civilians and combatants. And please don't insult peoples intelligence by bringing up the atomic bombs. By that point, it had become a total war and while we will never know what would have happened if the bombs hadn't been dropped, imagine a U.S. President trying to explain why tens of thousands, and probably over a hundred thousand young U.S. men died during an invasion when there was a weapon (the atomic bombs) that might have ended the war had it been used. You go ahead and delude yourself that there is no right and wrong or good and evil but spare the rest of us who do know the difference, even when the 'good' side is noticeably less than perfect.
DeleteExcellent post, thank you. I a 66yr old history buff and WWII student. About the bomb I've often though on the matter. I wonder if the first bomb should have been dropped to demonstrate it's power. Some where near Tokyo where it would have lite up the late evening sky for all to see? Who knows, I'm glad I did not have to make the decision. War is hell as they say. Plus one should be very well aware of Japan's conduct in China and Korea before the US entered the war not to mention Japanese treatment of US prisoners, etc.
DeleteB Crystal...exactly right!....
DeleteWar Is is not always war, War is always Hell. Not always about power and Money, It is often about doing what's right. Lost an Uncle on Iwo, the last day of the Battle, Lost my Dad too, but he came home, always quiet never spoke of it.
DeleteYou are right B crystal. But the allied forces had no morale. The allies UK,USA & fraFra already colonized almost entire Asia and Africa and fed on their resources to prosper their countries while hollowing others. People commenting here about the allies having morale surely are mislead in history and are told the Victor's tale. Everyone else is aware of how the colonizers looted other countries.
DeleteYou are right B crystal. But the allied forces had no morale. The allies UK,USA & France already colonized almost entire Asia and Africa and fed on their resources to prosper their countries while hollowing others. People commenting here about the allies having morale surely are mislead in history and are told the Victor's tale. Everyone else is aware of how the colonizers looted other countries.
DeleteAs someone who has lived in Japan, the fools who think that dropping the bombs was wrong should be forced to go and look at some of the military installations on the main island. I saw them in the mid-60s when they still weren't safe to enter. Complete factories were built in tunnels in the areas around Tokyo. If we had invaded, the death toll would have been much greater on both sides than just the loss by the Japanese in the two cities combined.
DeleteI just read flags of the fathers and what about the approximately 350000 civilians killed in China by Japanese soldiers they were brutal slicing open pregnant women spearing babies that's the devil
DeleteMost idiotic rant I've ever read on the internet. IF you think yo can boil war down to just evi, power, and money you obviously never went to war.
Delete@B Crystal; stick with your "City Slickers" riveting movies and allow others to express their appreciation to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for YOUR freedom and mine. My email address is ddupont0311@yahoo.com if you need / want to discuss this further. Thank you, David #SemperFi
DeleteB Crystal, you are very misguided about your understanding of what happened on Iwo Jima as well as within the greater conflict. To pretend that there was moral parity between the two sides in that battle is disingenuous and insulting. Yes, both sides killed, and yes both sides sought to protect themselves and their friends. However, the Allies didn't commit horrendous torture and mass execution of their captives. The Japanese did, with relish. The Allies didn't enslave, rape, and exterminate entire local populations because they considered them subhuman and inferior. The Japanese did. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that I hold modern Japanese accountable for these actions, but do not try to white wash history by saying "the devil is on both sides". There were undoubtedly atrocities on the Allied side as well, but they were aberrations and not completely systemic as they were on the Japanese side. Learn your history before you go spouting off with your hollow philosophical tropes about "power and money". This is the real world, not a Disney movie, situations are always far more complex than simply "power and money".
ReplyDeleteBravo. Well put; something that needed to be said.
DeleteB Crystal makes a fair if poorly stated point. The US was plenty into doing just those things you mention. See the Phillipines, religious-based "manifest destiny" (an analog to the Japanese feeling of superiority), southern treatment of blacks and whites that supported blacks. I agree that the US was responding to aggression in this conflict, but ironically that aggression occurred in a state that we took over from unwilling people. Go figure, a power struggle, another of B Crystal's points.
DeleteI think all of you should read war is a racket written by a lieutenant general. All war going back to the Napoleonic Wars was staged and pre-planned for depopulation and resources and power and money but mostly for depopulation. The 1% is always behind every single war going back to the Napoleonic Wars.
DeleteThat's an interesting theory. However, no war has kept the population from exploding. Maybe WW1 put a damper on it for awhile, but not for long.
DeleteYou seem to be misguided. The allied forces had no morale. The allies UK,USA & fraFra already colonized almost entire Asia and Africa and fed on their resources to prosper their countries while hollowing others. People commenting here about the allies having morale surely are mislead in history and are told the Victor's tale. Everyone else is aware of how the colonizers looted other countries and tortured the people there.
DeleteWhat an overly simplistic view Crystal. Try cracking open a history book or two and learning why we were at war with Japan. The Rape of Nanking or any book on the Bataan Death March are great places to start.
ReplyDeleteThis war was about money and power??? You know nothing about the history of WW2 Crystal. If there was ever a war worth fighting WW2 was it. We fought aggression, the rape and murder of thousands of people, crimes against humanity, the literal fate of the world was at stake. Not to mention a suprise attack on a sleeping Pearl Harbor. Where Thousands of Americans died. You did not see American forces going on a month long spree of rape and murder, killing women, children, and wounded men in there cots. Of coarse there were crimes commited on both sides, but the Axis powers were a literal culture of crimes against humanity. Your remarks are insulting to me, imagine if a WW2 vet read them.
ReplyDeleteYou are mistaken, World War II was about power and money and was financed by the richest 1%. All wars going back to the Napoleonic Wars was staged and pre-planned for depopulation, money, and resources. It's a giant Ponzi scheme. If anybody thinks that Pearl Harbor was just some secret attack from Japan and America didn't know about it is a fool.
DeleteThanks for opening your mouth and showing everyone who the fool is.
DeleteI respect very much the USA army for what they did during world war 2. Not only fought on the Pacific the Japanese, but were great and free Europe from fascism and Nazism regimes.
ReplyDeleteAs an Italian I was not even born , but I know they helped italy even after the war to rebuild the country from the ruins of the war, so it might sound cheesy but thanks America army for all you did.
I respect very much the USA army for what they did during world war 2. Not only fought on the Pacific the Japanese, but were great and free Europe from fascism and Nazism regimes.
ReplyDeleteAs an Italian I was not even born , but I know they helped italy even after the war to rebuild the country from the ruins of the war, so it might sound cheesy but thanks America army for all you did.
It's hard to believe that governments such as those of Japan and Germany could have sponsored so much pain and suffering, but they did. Most of their citizens wanted what we all want, to live productive, happy lives with their family and friends. Instead they became pawns in an evil empire. This is why we can never forget what happened, so we will be able to recognise and prevent it from happening again! Remember those who fought the tyranny....
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that governments such as those of Japan and Germany could have sponsored so much pain and suffering, but they did. Most of their citizens wanted what we all want, to live productive, happy lives with their family and friends. Instead they became pawns in an evil empire. This is why we can never forget what happened, so we will be able to recognise and prevent it from happening again! Remember those who fought the tyranny....
ReplyDeleteMy uncle died on Iwo Jima. I read a letter he wrote before the battle. I felt like I was there with him as he talked about what was happening. I was crying throughout the letter. I can never put myself in his shoes, but I can lead a life that he would be proud to have given his life for.
ReplyDeleteMy father survived Iwo Jima and thus, I live. I always come to tears when I think of the men who didn't survive, and the sacrifice they made. They were drafted and didn't choose to be there, yet they did their duty so that we in 2016, can still live free. Generation X and the Millenials know nothing of Iwo, and don't care about what really makes them free. Sad that as a nation, we let them forget about their heritage....lesser nations do not let the young forget.
ReplyDeleteI hope for change....but at least I can remember, and honor those who served for us....the kids that came after Iwo Jima.
I am a Generation X, and I beg to differ. As a US Marine Veteran what happened on Iwo, and throughout the Island Campaigns of WW2 is as much apart of my soul as my brothers who fought in them. I cry when I think of their honor, bravery, and sacrifice.
DeleteWhen criminals, bigots and mass murderers gain control of government
ReplyDeleteas they did in Germany, Japan and Italy
in the 1930's, they must be stopped.
The United States and allies had to step in and stop them, especially after
sneaky surprise attack on Pearl harbor.
WWII was a fight for our very survival.
Iwo Jima was an example of our brave
fighting men in all battles in the war.
WWII was total war for survival. The
atomic bomb was justified as it saved perhaps up to a half million American
lives. Our schools should teach our kids that WWII veterans saved our
nation as we know it now.
The way these young people are taught today the Americans were the bad guys and the Japanese were the innocent. The Japanese killed by the thousands Chinese and Koreans the Filipino's the Vietnamese the people on Guam, the Islands they took control of butchered men women and children go to China and look at the grave site were there are thousands of human bones stacked on top of each other like Animals they have made a memorial and you walk down into a pit and all around you are remains. Why have they not taught are children how the did experiments on American P O W's cut off there heads tortured them and allied prisoners starved and beat them. We just hear what the Nazi's did in concentration camps and in that war...these were evil and I mean evil people there are stories of how they would even cut baby's from there mothers womb. No these people did not live by an honor code as you think today the movies portray them as having an honor code not so. The atomic bomb as bad as it was saved lives by the hundreds of thousands both there's and ours.....You have to stop this making excuses and trying justify for us defending our nation.
ReplyDeleteGary - as a US History teacher I can assure you that kids today are not taught that Americans were the bad guy or that the Japanese were innocent. My grandpa was a POW in Europe and my wife's grandpa fought in Tarawa. I'm offended that you would imply that me and my colleagues would be either ignorant of the events that happened or simply chose not to teach them. We teach the Rape of Nanking, we teach the Bataan Death March, we teach the overall mentality of the Japanese soldier.
DeleteYou are very much in the minority, which is unfortunate. The Left-leaning faction of our country would very much like to erase anything good our nation has done and portray it as an aggressor nation that does everything to exploit the rest of the world. My own father was in Patton's 3rd. Army and I will always be proud of him for it. He died just a year ago at the age of 96 and was buried in a national cemetery with his WWII veteran hat which he wore EVERYWHERE. He and all of our veterans, myself among them (12 years Army) applaud you for not caving to political correctness and propaganda.
DeleteThank You sir, that last comment is a good place to STOP. Just note this began before the election resuts. History marches on. People are once again thinking about Flag and Country! That is fantastic as the President likes to Say! We may be in another battle somewhere in the next 4 Years! My G.GPA died in WwI fighting FOR ENGLAND. MY father in law landed in Sycilly, an Uncle and 2 dad's were support or in South Korea! One dad was in Vietnam Twice! I was a Vietnam Era volunteer during DRAFT. Then Desert Storm came along, retired shortly Afterwards with 20 years Honorable Discharge from USAF in 1994! Please God I believe we may not win every BATTLE, let us finally get home who we can! Continue to have faith in our country Amen!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people.
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B Crystal is probably a Democrat.
ReplyDeleteI am a Democrat...and I am very patriotic....I know what we had to do during WW2...I have served in the Army....I wish B Crystal would go live in some other country....they don't deserve to live here....I am proud to be American !
DeleteDefinitely a running dog.
DeleteIf it wasn't for the sevice people from allied countries sacrifices during ww11, none of these opinions would be posted here.
ReplyDeleteUse your liberties wisely.
If it wasn't for the people that served, you wouldn't have them.
Respect
Probably the most succinct comment here. š
DeleteIm more interested in hearing from anyone who has gone on this tour. Not interested in refighting the war...... I think it would be fascinating to visit there. As a Pacific war buff I`ve been to Philippines, Singapore, Malaya, Burma & Thailand. My bucket list includes Rabal, Tarwa, Marshals, Guam , Marianas and the Kokota trail
ReplyDeleteI landed on Iwo Jima on the night of Feb 19th, 1988 with 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Btn, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division for a training operation. We moved inland to a road junction and spent the most miserable night of my life. We were training for a raid, so we didn't carry poncho's or anything. I spent the whole night crouched in a mud puddle while it rained and the temp dropped down into the 50's. By morning I could hardly move. The unit went "admin" for the day and our LT took us on a tour. Ten feet from where I froze my butt off was a cave entrance we couldn't see in the dark. Inside, the temp was in the 90's! We spent the day touring the island. We went everywhere. Fascinating!!! Like the war just ended but the foliage had grown back. Crawled down into Kuribayashi's cave! Ended it all with a climb up (the road) up Suribachi. Polished and painted the monument up there. Next morning back on the ship.
ReplyDeleteI am the grandson of Iwo Jima battle survivor U.S. Marine Phillip B. Cassady. It is he I am named after. Had he not fought viciously and passionately for his country and his life I would have never been. Critics should take a moment to think of how many generations of families ended during those months in 1945. I love you Grandpa Cassady. Thank you and your Marine brothers.
ReplyDeleteThere’s nothing to comemorate jap soldiers?
ReplyDeleteSure there is. Here's a picture of a Japanese soldier at work. https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/039japanbeheading_468x620.jpg
DeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather, Pfc. Joseph John Gazda, died on Iwo Jima Island on March 4, 1945. God bless the fallen and their families.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a british gunner sargent captuted at singapore by the japs,he suffered years of starvation and torture,and one fact i learned which is not commonly known is that the indian troops captured fighting for britain changed sides at the first offer,and they were responsable for a lot of the atrocities commited under jap orders,my grand father survived,sort of,he finally died of complications of malaria caught on tbe burma railway.
ReplyDeleteIn memory of my first cousin killed on Iwo Joseph Falcone. KIA U,S. Marines. Forever in our memory.
ReplyDeleteIf it was about "power and money" as this B Crystal character has bloviated, then Japan would be a U.S. colony now and not a nation. Mr. B Crystal has obviously never had to fight for anything in his life. It must be nice for Mr. B Crystal, to live in freedom because brave men died so that he could.
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In 1997, while stationed at MCAS Iwakuni, I took a battle study tour of Iwo Jima. I knew as soon as I stepped off the plane that I had been gifted a truly amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. Once we crested Mt Suribachi, silence fell over us all and we took in the site of the flag raising. To look out onto the Pacific and picture all of the ships and Marines as they entered one of the bloodiest battles was so humbling.
ReplyDeleteAs a Marine, this was one the top two highlights of my career.
Thank you Fifth Marine Division.
ReplyDelete