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February 20, 2012
Battle of Iwo Jima - Fierce Fighting Footage ~ Feb.19th, 1945
Battle of Iwo Jima - Fierce Fighting Footage
Battle of Iwo Jima - Fierce Fighting Footage [Full Resolution]Iwo Jima is an island some 650miles south of Tokyo. It is part of the Japanese Volcano Islands. On 19th February 1945, Iwo Jima became the setting of a major battle where the United States fought the Japanese to reclaim the island back from Japan. It was just one of the bloody battles during the Pacific War.
On February 19, 1945 about 30,000 United States Marines of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions, under V Amphibious Corps, landed on Iwo Jima and a battle for the island commenced. The landing was called Operation Detachment.
Following the American victory, a group of US Marines reached the top of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945 and raised the American flag. They were persuaded to re-enact the event shortly afterwards by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal. The photo later won a Pulitzer Prize and is the subject of the USMC War Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
At 2 AM on the morning of February 19, battleship guns signaled the commencement of D-Day. Soon 100 bombers attacked the island, followed by another volley from the naval guns. At 8:30, Marines disembarked toward the shores of Iwo Jima. Their objective -- Suribachi Mountain, at the south of the island, which guarded the beaches.
The Marines faced heavy fire from Suribachi and inhospitable terrain, rough volcanic ash which allowed neither secure footing or the digging of a foxhole. They were sitting ducks. Still, by that evening, the mountain had been surrounded and 30,000 Marines had landed. About 40,000 more would follow.
The climb up Suribachi was fought by the yard. Gunfire was ineffective against the Japanese, but flame throwers and grenades cleared the bunkers. Finally, on February 23, the summit had been reached. The erection of the American flag that day proved an inspiration not only to the combatants but to a grateful nation for years to come.
Every man and woman who has served as a United States Marine since February 1945 has carried with him or her the legacy of Iwo Jima. It is woven into their consciousness just as tightly as the fabric that makes up their uniform. The sacrifices made on that battlefield inform them every day of the inalterable standards to which history might make them also accountable. The courage and sense of duty of their fellow Marines on Iwo Jima breathes dignity into their own acts.
None of these men will ever be forgotten.
Thank you
Wild Thing
Posted by Wild Thing at February 20, 2012 04:50 AM
Comments
A friend and neighbor passed away years ago. On Sunday December 7, 1941 he was a teenager in a cinema when the movie was interrupted to announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Monday morning he was at the recruiting office asking to serve in the Navy. He served in the Pacific through out the war. He was one of the last eye witnesses of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima.
Having participated in dozens of landings across the Pacific. he would say, for us it was just our taking another island.
For today, Presidents' Day, here's some creative paintings by Carthage, Missouri artist Andy Thomas:
Callin' the Blue:
http://www.andythomas.com/images/Callin_the_blue_pool.jpg
A Grand Ol' Gang:
http://www.andythomas.com/images/091_GOG.jpg
True Blues:
http://www.andythomas.com/images/090_TB.jpg
Fine Art by Andy Thomas:
http://www.andythomas.com/about-andy-thomas.aspx
The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) Arlington, Virginia:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4763185173_d921214fd9_b.jpg
Posted by: Carlos at February 20, 2012 07:14 AM
Carlos, thank you so much for all those links, thanks is great!!! ((hug))
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 21, 2012 02:40 AM
