Terrible Price of Victory - Battle of Iwo Jima (WW2 Documentary)
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The battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 was one of the most brutal battles of the WW2 Pacific Campaign. The small volcanic island of Iwo Jima had an important strategic position for the US military. But the Japanese Army had learned how to defend in previous hard fought battles on other islands like Guam, Peleliu or Guadalcanal.
Special thanks to Project’44 co-created by Nathan Kehler and Drew Hannen from the Canadian Research and Mapping Association (CRMA). Check out their Iwo Jima map: iwojimamap.com/
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» BIBLIOGRAPHY
Akikusa Tsuruji, 17-sai no Iōtō (Tokyo : Bungei Shunjū, 2006)
Allen, Robert E, The First Battalion of the 28th Marines on Iwo Jima: A Day-by-Day History from Personal Accounts and Official Reports, with Complete Muster Rolls, (Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 1999)
Leckie, Robert, The Battle of Iwo Jima, (New York : Random House, 1967)
NHK Shuzaihan, Iōjima Gyokusaisen: Seikanshatachi ga kataru shinjitsu, (Tokyo: NHK
Shuppan, 2007)
Rottman, Gordon L & Wright, Derrick, Hell in the Pacific: The Battle of Iwo Jima, (Oxford : Osprey Publishing, 2008)
Sandberg, Walter, The Battle of Iwo Jima: A Resource Bibliography and Documentary Anthology, (Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 2005)
United States Fleet, Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, Navy Department, “Amphibious Operations, Capture of Iwo Jima: 16 February to 16 March 1945” COMINCH P-0012, (17 July 1945)
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»CREDITS
Presented by: Jesse Alexander
Written by: Mark Newton, Jesse Alexander
Director: Toni Steller & Florian Wittig
Director of Photography: Toni Steller
Sound: Above Zero
Editing: Toni Steller
Motion Design: Toni Steller, Philipp Appelt
Mixing, Mastering & Sound Design: above-zero.com
Maps: Project '44 www.project44.ca/
Research by: Mark Newton
Fact checking: Mark Newton
Channel Design: Battlefield Design
Contains licensed material by getty images
Maps: MapTiler/OpenStreetMap Contributors & GEOlayers3
All rights reserved - Real Time History GmbH 2022
Support Real Time History on Patreon: patreon.com/realtimehistory We hope you liked this surprised episode. Special thanks to Project '44 and the Canadian Research and Mapping Association for their help with this episode. Their iwojimamap.com/ was the inspiration for this Iwo Jima documentary. We wanted to try out if we could hook their map data to our motion graphics. Iwo Jima was the perfect test case since it was geographically a limited campaign. As you saw, our idea was a success and we will build on what we learned here for our upcoming Napoleon project.
When you guys upload the Napoleonic Wars episodes?
poi
³3³r
Thanks for those map improvements. It’s really appreciated. I think you’ve set a new standard. One suggestion, insert a North arrow to help the viewer orient themselves.
毛利裕仁に背中を撃たれた日本兵。何故、毛利裕仁と一族郎党と子々孫々を抹殺しなかったの？
My father was there, the fourth division, a Sargent. He made it through unwounded which is astonishing. He would be 100 years old next month, I miss him dearly.
Well 70,000 US Marines were on the Island-----and 26,000 KIA or Wounded. So not sure why that was astonishing. My dad got hit 3 days from the end-----bullit thru both legs.
@@dennisplatte7506 could he walk again?
@@RafProductions3 Yup----dad spent time in 4 hosptials----but did walk and return to duty-----and they made him a kitchen supervisor at a the Philidelpia Navy Yard. He always had big holes in his legs-----so pretty obvious he been hit in a short bathing suit. In later years he couldn't walk up ramps----or walk down the small incline to his mailbox. But for some reason could do steps. He got 10% for each leg-----.
I’m sure he was hurt on the inside. My salute to him.
I am Canadian and I want to tell you that I am grateful for your dad's service.
One of my high school teachers was a Marine on Iwo. Japanese troops would "reappear" in bunkers that had been cleared, due to their tunnels. The Marines brought cement mixers ashore. They ran 24/7 making cement that was used to close off troublesome bunkers. He has always wondered how many Japanese were 'buried alive". He was never able to forget the sound of the mixers.
sounds interesting
Of the iwo jima combat the mixers is the sound that stuck with him?
Jeez, that's brutal. Absolutely horrific for everyone involved.
@@Fittafella27makes sense if he’s attributing the folks who were all but buried alive by them
During desert storm, they used combat dozers to bury hundreds of Saddam's troops in trenches instead of clearing the via hand. Quote "I came through right after the lead company. What you saw was a bunch of buried trenches with people's arms and things sticking out of them."
国籍･宗教･人種を問わず、この戦いに参加されて亡くなられた方々のご冥福をお祈りをすると共に、平和な日本で生活できる事に感謝します。
It is always better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war
@@aixelsyd867amen
My friend, Cpl. Eugene Iaconetti, of the 4th Marines Engineers, survived 33 days on Iwo Jima. He is still alive and smiling at the age of 98 years old.
広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.
Smile at clintons or current president
@@mikemiller9835 kzhead.info/sun/jMeufbh5jHWwfmw/bejne.html
Bloody marvelous
@@robertnegron9706 kzhead.info/sun/jMeufbh5jHWwfmw/bejne.html
"Letters from Iwo Jima" is a really great movie about the battle. It is one of my favorite movies of all time.
"Flag of Our Fathers" shows the American perspective. Sometimes the same scenes as in "Letters.." but from a different angle. I think those two films should be seen together. And I agree they are among the greatest movies of all times.
Bit of a stretch there buddy.
Clint Eastwood did a great job on both 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 🎟 🎬 movie's. Read a story that he delivered papers & saw the picture 📸 📷 🖼. Have both movie's & the soundtrack along with the book. 1 of the greatest pic's of all time.
e.a. corral he got a couple of things inaccurate though. One, he said that the Japanese didn’t take any prisoners on Iwo, as you see here they were taken in. Secondly he depicted the Montford Point Marines(The 8th Ammo Company in this film)to have just stayed aboard ship while they were inland evacuating casualties and taking the prisoners. They helped defend the airfield during the banzai attack and two of them got the bronze star. They did not just ferry supplies and evacuate the wounded and they should have been recognized for that. It shocked me that Clint of all people, who is an avid and accurate historian, misplayed historical facts here.
Yep, and for me is way better than Flag of our fathers.
My father in law, Jack Creviston, was among those members of the Third Marine Division who were on Iwo. He had also been in the assault on Guam, and Guadalcanal. On Iwo he was a rifleman, and a stretcher-bearer, but his primary job in the third division was the band. Nonetheless, he saw combat and was wounded on Guam and on Iwo Jima. He returned home after the war and worked at the Los Alamos Laboratory as a security guard. After hostilities ended on Iwo Jima, The Third Marine Division band played at the dedication of the American cemetery on Iwo Jima, an event which was filmed and is now on youtube. Jack died in 1964, long before I married his daughter. I did get to see him in the film however, playing his trombone in the band. Thanks for what you did, Jack.
Every Marine is a rifleman first and foremost. Semper Fi to him. Thank you Jack.
@@michael7324 A toast to the Marines!
Very cool. My grandfather was in the 4th marine division. He saw combat on the marshal islands, tinian, Saipan and was shot in the stomach on Iwo Jima. Thankfully he survived because if he hadn’t my dad would not have been born and I would not have been born.
Was he in the First or Second before Third Division?
On what video is the Band shown on KZhead-----do you remember? Would like to see it.
My grandfather who's is currently 97 was in the first wave and earned his purple heart there. He was in the 5th Marines as well as a Carlson Raider. He told me many stories including the raising of the two flags
My uncle had the same story of two flags over Suribachi. He also told of being in a foxhole with his buddy being hit directly with motar round. At a Later time I visited him at a VA nursing home he was half sleeping and said "shoot him he is crawling aware". He was a dragline operator burying the dead. He was ok after war but still had memories not resolved.
Pity he didn't die
@@janebinger1473 My dad was also there during the flag raisings------but like most had no idea that two had been raised------or that they would be famous. Very few Marines would have seen the flag----flags go up. They were fighting away from the Mt. And they sure weren't looking back. But my dad did hear a roar come up from the rear------and then did at least see the flag a mile or 2 behind them.
I am Aussie and my Grandfather served in Papu New Guinea and Morotai and Balikpapan.. He barely ever spoke of the war.. once drunk he spoke of the cannibalised half eaten Australians they found. torture and Brutalised Bodies and sick experiments conducted on Australians.
Poor souls on both sides. The young kids who were sent to war and saw so much violence in a thousand lifetimes. The young truly fight, the old men’s war. RIP young brave souls.
I am a Marine (no longer active) who was honored enough to get to land on Iwo Jima with the 1st battalion 1st Marines on a West pack in 90. We did an amphibious landing according to our history. I'm telling you... having the tracks stop, the landing doors open and we walked up the sand bar.. The feeling was beyond humbling.. To stand there.. were our brothers had.. looking up a Suribachi... We performed our re-enlistment and awards ceremony on the island.. I will never forget that..
Re-enactment?!
Wow.... if a Marine was going to reenlist, this would be the place. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sgt...OUT
I served from 92-97 in the US Army. 93-97 was in Bavaria, Germany. I was deployed 3 weeks to Normandy France to provide security for the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion back in 94'. I visited the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach where closed to 10,000 of my brothers before me never made it back home alive. Semper Fi.
@@roderickstockdale1678 No and yes.. To honor our history we performed amphibious landings instead of helicoptering in (helo).. Was amazing
WESTPAC (capital letters and no "K").
In memory of my friend Cpl. Raulo R. Malm USMC wounded twice there. Was an honor to know him.
My grandfather was Lt. Col. Justin Gates Duryea. He was the first commander of the 27th battalion. He lost his right arm there in a land mine. There's a great book called Blood and Sand he wrote an introduction for. Grandpa also trained paratroopers before he went to Iwo Jima. When he was asked if he wanted to go there he said does a duck like water
Sorry the book is Red Blood and Black Sand by Chuck Yeager.
My Grandpa was there, I wish I knew more about his experience but it was very hard for him to talk about. He drove the soldiers to shore in the amphibious vehicles just to watch them get mowed down seconds after the gates let down. Thankfully the amphibious boat was just out of reach so they couldn’t hit my Grandpa, but he witnessed many of his friends die. All he could do was cover fire for them using his Browning machine gun. Thats all my Grandpa would ever tell us, man I miss him.
that had to be really traumatic for your grandfather to witness and deal with the rest of his life. His service is muchly appreciated by this Nam vet.
My he Rest In Peace.
Semper fi
As Churchill said ."Everyone talks about fighting to the last man, but only the Japanese do it.". Got to admire their tenacity and bravery.
I don't admire them at all. They were brainwashed into that mindset. I only wish we could have killed more of them in that horrible war.
No, you haven’t
@@timsplanet2 cowards often fight past wars bravely.
@@rowbearly6128 most of the usa join the military for only the great benefits packages they get! and not for patriotic valor! I know a lot of people who brag about why they joined and what they got and still get! true facts, not bs brainwashing!
Wake
My father was Chief Pharmacists Mate 1st Class Jack Yinger. He was fighting to save American (and a few Japanese) lives ashore during this entire battle. He saw both flags raised and was present at the capture of the airfields. I was born on Feb. 28, 1951, exactly 6 years later.My father was a great man whose contributions to America continued until he died. I am proud to be his son.
Was he with a Division or V Corps?
Very few Marines saw the flag raising----they were fighting in the other direction, and a mile or two from the Mount. But all did see it eventually---when the roar floated up the Island----and they turned around to look back at the tiny flag a mile or two in their rear. They put up the bigger and more famous flag so the Marines a couple of miles up the Island could see it---and then they saw it. My dad made it thru to almost the end-----then got shot in the legs and was evacuated by plane from the airfield he'd fought across 3 weeks before.
Semper Fi SON
😍🇬🇧
広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.
Jesse (and team), I served as a US Marine (about 50 years ago) and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this episode. Your other episodes (that I have watched) are nothing short of outstanding as well! I am not a rich man, but I will start supporting your work on Patreon today. I hope you do more on the Marines in the future and as a man of Hungarian descent I also greatly appreciate your episodes on Hungary. Thanks, Jesse
thank you for the support. we have a few more plans for future ww2 videos like Iw Jima. Definitely a few more amphibious landings on our list.
日本語でもなかなか知ることが出来ない情報の発信に感謝致します。 硫黄島の戦いにおける日本軍は、間違いなく多くの本土日本人が生き延びる日数を伸ばして頂きました。 人命軽視を避け戦いを指揮した栗林中将他、多くの軍人対し、後世の我々日本人は余りにも不甲斐ないと感じざるを得ません。 硫黄島で倒れた日本兵士、米国兵士共にご冥福をお祈りし、哀悼の意を表します。合掌。
TRUE FACT: It is astonishing to note that even with Iwo Jima being as small as it is, just several miles long, that the last Japanese surrendered there on January 6, 1949, well over THREE YEARS after the battle.
What a dumba$$ lolol
@@lelostimulus9995 still Sooners than someone who surrender after 30 years from Japan capitulation.
His name was Chadu Chadamoto.
@@mudman5229 i think he means in iwo jima specifically but there was this one dude in the philippines who only surrendered in the 1970s
kulot420 360 2nd Lt. Hiroo Onoda.
I was stationed on Iwo Jima from 1991-1992 at the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN station. Spent weekends crawling through the extensive caves and tunnel systems from the war. The island was still littered with ordinance and we took several Marine Corps battle study groups around the island. Over 700 caves, tunnels and fortifications. What our Marines did there was absolutely incredible.
I was there in 1976 TAD from LORAN Station Geisashi on Okinawa. Iwo was my favorite because it reminded me of Mysterious Island by Jules Vern. I worked one on two off except for resupply day every two weeks and once a month for inventory.
@@randmayfield5695 Same here Comrade.
Wow that’s amazing, I would love to go there although I would be frightened going into the caves as many life’s were lost in there i would be abit freaked..I’ve always wondered what it would bd like now..Do America still have a base over there Jim..?
@@Roscoe.P.Coldchain Unfortunately, the LORAN station was turned over to the Government of Japan in 1993 or 94. The U.S. Navy still does carrier landing practice at the airfield occasionally. Otherwise, it's only the Japan Air Self-defense Force and Maritime Self-defense force that's permanently there. Visits are strictly limited.
Wow amazing. “ Uncommon valor was a common Virtue “.
My father in law turned 19yrs. Old on Iwo jima, he told me many stories.i miss him !
My grandfather was a Marine and was awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Iwo.
My uncle was at Iwo. He was a landing craft driver - got stuck on the beach on the second landing, picked up a Garand and played "Marine" for awhile. When I see war footage from Iwo, I wonder if I have ever seen his face. Also, met a Iwo Marine Vet a few years ago - he and I both wondered if it was my uncle who drove him to the beach. Much respect to all who were there - total bloodbath
Cool story! Thankful for your uncle’s service.
My grandfather is still over in Europe l have watched footage for years hoping to see him.
私の叔父は硫黄島に行った陸軍上等兵でした。3月18日に戦死しました。私も日本酒を持って一度ここに行きたい。
I used to know a guy who was there and worked on the air strip where shot up B-29s landed coming from missions over Japan. He told of one B-29 that had big chunks shot off of it. After landing, the crew got out, walked around, and the Aircraft Commander told him, "This place is worse than where we came from". Him and his crew got back in what was left of their plane, and took off.
You didn’t mention the two Japanese Soldiers that finally surrendered in 1950 after seeing a magazine article that showed US personal celebrating Christmas in Tokyo, that was blown into the cave they were hiding in. They survived by stealing food and supplies from the US Forces still stationed on Iwo Jima.
come on
There was also a Japanese soldier on another island who held out until the 70s murdering the locals and stealing supplies from them. Terrifying what brainwashing can do.
@@chriskelly9361 Yes, I believe that was in the Philippines!
1974 was the last hold out surrender of a Japanese officer
That was in the Philippines Hiroo Onodo finally surrendered on 9 March 1974.on the island of Lubang.He be still there pilfering and killing if a lone Japanese went looking for him and convinced him the war was over.
so much respect for soldiers and veterans alike. I played paintball with my friends the other day, and the fear of getting hit is pretty bad. Now imagine that but with real bullets and artillery, and other stuff, must have been terrifying.
By this point in the war, the Japanese had realized that an all out defense at the waters edge wasn't going to work. Earlier, on the Island of Biak, a small island on the north coast of New Guinea, they realized that digging in, avoiding banzai charges, and most importantly, a strong defense in depth, would kill more of their enemies than the way they had been doing things. Iwo was defense in depth, coupled with tunnels, interlocking fields of fire, the whole works. It is your enemy that teaches you how to fight, and the Americans had taught them well.
Sadly I agree with you because so many Americans had to die with the new advances in Japanese defenses after Guadalcanal. The Japanese were an absolutely fierce fighting force. But the Americans were more determined than they were and won.
Keep in mind by the way more than half of our Armed Forces were focused on Europe. The Japanese never stood a chance against us. They were just there to kill American soldiers before an inevitable defeat.
@@maxazzopardi7446 Yes, this is true. More than just the battlefield, the war against Japan was first a war of industrial production, scientific development (R&D, etc.) and acquisition of the necessary raw materials, a three pronged war of attrition. Militarily, it was like US Grant fighting the South during the Civil War. Grant never gave the enemy breathing space, time to regroup their forces. The Japanese, brave as they were, were dragged into the bear's cave and clawed to death.
@@fredferd965 And isn't it amazing to think they are one of our closest allies in the world? How quickly geopolitics changes.
While the enemy teaching a people how to fight is usually true, it is not true in the case of modern Ukrainians. Russians have been an artillery-first and always army for a century and the Ukrainians have no suitable counter-battery weapons.
Wow, this is incredible. I had no idea this was such a slow and grueling battle.
Possibly one of the most horrific battles/campaigns of all time.
we honestly should have just started dumping chlorine gas onto every inch of the battlefield going foward
Iwo Jima is the only Pacific battle where American casualties were as bad as the Japanese.
@@georgehollingsworth2428 what are you talking about the Japanese had over 19,000 killed while the Americans had about 8,000 killed that's marines and navy combined.
@@badmonkey2222 Yes. Casualties are KILLED AND WOUNDED.
R.I.P Pawpaw. Received his Combat Action Ribbon at Iwo Jima. I miss him a lot.
字幕を付けていただきありがとうごさいます。 悲しい歴史が繰り返されないことを祈ります。
Real Time History, the only KZhead channel that has a time machine!
The only KZhead channel that IS a time machine !
My grandfather was a platoon sergeant at Iwo with a unit in the 3rd Marine Division. He said Iwo was the toughest of all his fights in the Pacific. He fought at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, and Makin Island before Iwo.
He could not have fought at Bougainville and Tarawa before going to the 5th. Tarawa started 20 days after Bougainville. Was he aboard a ship there?
Makin, too, was he a 2nd Raider?
Thought the same thing... hmmm
Or the 3rd since the 3rd was there as well. Of course people were transferred everywhere when the raiders disbanded.
Your grandfather would have had a hard time fighting on Tarawa and Makin Island both, as both battles were fought at exactly the same time. November 20 1943 until November 23 1943. if you think I'm full of prunes, just Google it. Makin Island was fought by the Army, not Marines. If he was a member of Carlson's raiders he could have fought at Makin Island in 1942. Carlson and James Roosevelt each landed there, at the same time, from submarines with a total of a 160 men, sometimes in 1942.
My grandparent's next door neighbor was a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima. Even as a young kid, I knew something was wrong with the guy. He was constantly drunk, intense, and a bit of a wild card. Later when I was old my dad told me he witnessed his best friend get shot on Iwo Jima and he told me he hated the Japanese until they day he died. These battles have an affect on lives decades later.
Pretty much every Iwo Jima vet I've seen and talked to has a rightful burning hatred of the Japanese. Is it uncouth in the modern day? Yes. Do I understand their hatred? Absolutely. It's hard to forgive and forget the things the Japanese did, and the lengths they made the Americans go to in order to win a battle.
My Great Uncle Carl Pardo, Corporal 3rd Marine Division, 34th replacement battalion, 21 Marine Regiment was 17 on the island.
Amazing battle review and footage. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
My friend and coworker in the 1980s was a Marine survivor of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and also Saipan earlier. He was in the 4th Division and it was a miracle he survived. He witnessed indescribable horror and experienced unending terror. He relived the war every day and spilled his guts to me in a manner that I felt I had been there with him myself. One day, a foreman came over and asked me where my friend was. Of course, he was at his car, getting a drink from a bottle under the driver's seat. My conjured up alibi for my buddy didn't fly, and the enraged boss was going to fire him. The boss laid into my friend and just before he said " your fired", I asked that boss if HE was in the Marines during the war, and he said, " damn straight !!" That's when my friend looked up and said, " were you on the ROCK ??!! ", and the boss said, " damn right !!....5th Division !! " My friend said, " 4th !!", and in an instant, these two men became inseparable best friends for the rest of their lives, bonded by something we will never know or understand. Semper Fi to all of them, who bore the scars of war for us.
so he was well over 60 and still working ?
@@markosporn8315 It's either that or be homeless right?
@@wihamaki I'm from Slovenija (ex Jugoslavija) and every single policeman/soldier/firefighter etc.. gets a "decent" retirement ammount every month,of course their years in service are counted 1,5 year for every actuall year so many of them are officialy retired at age about 55-ish so they do another job not to survive but to get some time away of missuss&grandchildren
Wayne Ihamaki some people do it for time occupancy.......it’s not ALWAYS for survival!
In the 4th Marine Division? They fought on Saipan and Iwo Jima for sure. But did not fight on Okinawa-----which involved the 1st, 2nd and 6th Divisions.
Great episode to cover an intense battle! The video footage alongside your commentary, in my opinion, really showed the grind of battle very well. I'm looking forward to more form you guys!
Just discovered these and have been binge watching most of the day. Great work!
My Grandpa's brother made it to day 8. It was interesting to read about him in a book his officer made in memory of his time on the island
Thanks for this terrific information. My Father landed there with the 5th Marine Division on February 19th. He survived to go on to Japan until the end of the war. He visited Iwo again on the 50th anniversary of the war-event. He met former combatants, made final peace and returned to his home in Montana to live out the remaining years of his life.
He's a survivor.
My neighbor, James Thomas Cotton was on Iwo and wounded multiple times. He died in the 90's because of a complication of those wounds. RIP
Excellent historical presentation, not only in narrative, but video/audio/facts. Impressive!!!
Thank you for the post. Very detailed and informative.
A great video showing how the battle progressed. Unfortunately, several of the men who raised the historic flag were killed before the battle was finally over.
Three of the six men in the picture were killed in later fighting on the island.
The maps from P44 brought this documentary to the next level. Incredibly well done and the animation of each map and text call out was perfect. Hardly felt longer than a few minutes after watching. Definitely keep working with P44 on these short films
we will
One of the best descriptions of this horrific battles I have ever seen, thank you !
respect for both factions in this battle, both are fearless warriors..
Well explained story. The issue about the value of taking Iwo was not just about having a safe landing spot for B-29s. The Japanese had based fighter aircraft on the island to intercept bomber raids on Japan. Along with reconnaissance craft for early warnings. The US stopped these activities and then turned Iwo into a base for P51 fighters to escort the B-29s to and from Japan. They also carried out attacks of their own as the war progressed The safe haven for damaged bombers was an extra bonus. Most reporters only saw the part of the story where damaged B-29s were landing at Iwo Jima.
Well, perhaps some of the B-29 missions could have attacked Iwo. Bombers that experience engine trouble might have simply used the island as a bomb drop rather than going on to Tokyo. That would have reduced the recon and fighter effectiveness.
@@GilmerJohn There were bomber raids on Iwo. And even early morning and dusk sneak attacks to catch the fighter's on the ground. The main #1 reason the US Air Corps wanted Iwo was for a staging base for P-51 escort fighters to and from Japan. The other benefits they appreciated also.
Also the reason Japanese high command really wanted to keep Iwo (apart from it being part of Tokyo). It was acting as a shield to protect Tokyo from bombing, and its loss symbolised the loss of Japan's ability to defend even the home islands.
My grandfather was in the first wave and earned his purple heart there. He told me many stories. He will be 97 next week
Great video. The maps in particular are very clear.
戦争のない平和な世界になりますように。🧩
Man the maps in this video really help to show just how prepared the Japanese positions were.
There wasn't much in the way of night life on Iwo. So they had all their time to prepare.
Great video, with a lot of great information. Thanks for your work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
日本の為に戦ってくれた日本兵には感謝しかない…🎌
Nanking
Wow this footage is incredible! Especially this scene at 4:44 seems like something straight out a movie! Props to the team for this incredibly high quality production!
thanks, all footage from the entire documentary is, as far as we can tell from the archives, from Iwo Jima itself. And once we saw we had access to that, we had to make this documentary.
Movies can't fake the reality so well...
As always, excellent work, RTH. Thank you for what you do.
My Grandfather died in a different theater of this war.But I sincerely thank you guys for showing this battle for what it truly was.You've honored our young men that died all over the world in this bloody conflict.
they die for nothing
@@johnwick7900 They died for what they believed and were told, at the time, was worth dying for. That alone deserves respect, even if modern retellings see it as different.
@@thomasowens9373 THOMAS, YOU are CORRECT. IT is UNBELIEVABLY sad that some who post here are OBLIVIOUS to the BRAVERY of those who FOUGHT AND DIED for THEIR FREEDOM and PEACEFUL EXISTANCE.
@@johnwick7900 REDICULOUS COMMENT !!!!!! Wise up John.
@@johnwick7900 easy for you to say
I loved the maps on this video.... I tip my hat to them for their superb work.
The best explanation of what occurred there. Thank you.
A surprise to be sure. But a welcome one.
we will watch your career with great interest
Hello there!
Absolutely amazing content. This might be my favourite history video (and channel) of all time. Incredible work.
My uncle was in the 4th Marine division. This is the best explanation of the battle I have found. Looks like the 4th had the toughest area to overcome. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, now I know what he had to endure. By the way he did make it home!!!
Well the 5th Marine Division thought they had the toughest area. But my dad's 3rd Marine Division thought they had the toughest route------right up the middle of the Island between the two other Divisions. And for sure your dad thought they had the toughest------. It was really how bad your individual platoon or company had it. My dad's company walked off with only 8 of their original guys that landed a month before. But a few battalions over-----the unit only had 4 left of the 220 that landed a month earlier. Of course more injuries than KIA.
@@dennisplatte7506 Without a doubt it was pure for all our troops on that island!!
@@edstrohmeier7494 What made it extra tough----is that most Marines never saw a live Japanese to fire at. They fired out of small holes and then went back underground-----and often popped up behind the Marines.
Very informative and extremely well presented with maps and quotes.
I lost my oldest cousin at Iwo. I was born 5 years after his death. His sister is still alive and remembers him well. He was brought back to the US 8 years after his death and was laid to rest with his father who died 2 years earlier. His mother lived 42 years after his death and was laid to rest with her husband and son. RIP
Respect
That is an awesome beard you have sir. Also, respect to your cousin. You will see him again one day
kzhead.info/sun/erWwgJeAnGmcZ4E/bejne.html
My cousin was blown up there and was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. RIP to all the Marines who died there. 🌹
@@opieutt9038 kzhead.info/sun/etezh5puhoGsqoU/bejne.html Before the battle of Iwo Jima Kuribayashi gives a speech to soldiers If it becomes a long-term battle Earn time for children to evacuate from Tokyo Fight to save future children Iwo Jima Japanese Army Tools for digging tunnels Was a small number Dig by soldier's hand
One of the most comprehensive and informative accounts on the true cost of the iconic battles of the Pacific Theater, kudos to you.
highly detailed scholarly analysis...what a great channel for history buffs...thanks
20,000 Japanese with no reinforcements or resupplies held its own for 30 days against 100,000 Marines and 700 ships. That’s insane.
Fighting to the death will do that lol
guerrilla warfare tends to favor the defender
Strong defenses
@@tomdog5265 no, no, no. That’s Japanese!
very special brand of insanity to be sure .
I have watched everything you folks have put out over the last 8 years (from WW1 in real time, to the present) and will continue to do so, until you stop.
great, we won't stop for a long time ;)
Guys, great episode. I loved The Great War and it great to see you expanding beyond it. Thank you for this. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Great video, the maps were super insightful
Outstanding video. Thank You!
"They told us Iwo Jima was a fortress on an island, turns out it was an island turned into a fortress" - US Marine
Another brilliant production, from the guys.. very informative and immersive narration. Great work
This was cool!! Learned a lot. Thank you for making it.
Thanks for sharing this interesting piece of history.
Excellent, gained much insight on this battle. Much respect for the greatest generation.
So we’ll done! Fantastic storytelling and military lore. The footage is outstanding. Unbelievable work. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
4:45 that footage with sound actually gives me the jitters
Thank you so much for the video.
This is such a well done documentary. Wow. Great job!
never seen a video like this well explained as it really happened took me back to college great job love your work.
Amazing presentation and visuals!👍
For the memory of my uncle, john basilone, may you rest in peace. From our family and aunt lena, we love you so much and always.
Having visited Iwo Jima in 2018 with the Stephen Ambrose Pacific Battlefields Tour, guided by Historian, Author and Marine Silver Star recipient Ron Drez, for the annual Reunion of Honor with the IJAA, Marine Corps and the Japanese Government, I can say that this single visit to Iwo was a life-changing experience. Particularly as we were accompanied by a remaining dozen Marine Corp and Navy veterans who had lived a lifetime in their time on Iwo Jima in 1945. Great men, all, and the experience of crossing the island by foot, summiting Mount Suribachi, standing on the precise point at which the American Flags were raised, and then traversing the Black Sand Invasion Beaches on our way back to the airfield made for a day that is etched in memory - and precious photographs, forever. Your video here is the best visual overview and depiction of all of the events that occurred on Iwo that I have found on KZhead or any other medium. Very well done! You have done honor to both sides that fought with such tenacious resolve on this volcanic outpost. You have shared a balanced and respectful depiction on the What, How, Who and Why of the Battle for Iwo Jima. Thank you for this fine piece of work. I had planned to return to Iwo in March of 2020. Covid broke out and, of course, that trip was cancelled by both the Marine Corps and the Japanese Government. Postponed 4 times since, we were notified this past week that there will likely be no Iwo Tour in 2022. Will see if it goes in 2023. If so, I will be on it a year from now. And hope you can reserve a spot for yourself on this “1-Day a Year Civilian Access” to this revered and remote location. It is a Bucket List experience, for those with an interest in Military History, that will stay with you for the rest of your life. We were told, while atop Mount Suribachi in 2018, that in the last 70+ years, more people have summited Mount Everest than have looked down from the Summit of Mount Suribachi. If true, that Statement is indeed humbling. And, if true, I value and savor the exclusivity of having visited iconic Iwo, when we did, all the more.
I'm so friggin jealous!!!
@@jonathanallard2128 Johnathan: Thanks. Yet rather than remain friggin jealous, put that Trip on your own Bucket List, and look to make it happen - in 2023. It is entirely doable. And worth whatever sacrifices are required. Days that will change your life…and anchor your values…for the rest of your life.
@@justicemeter347 I don't have the money for it, nor can I ask Ambrose to come lol
This is the most comprehensive documentary of the battle for Iwo Jima I have ever seen. Incredible job, thanks
Love,love,LOVE the maps!
more in this format please
working on it
About time the battle of Iwo jima was explained like this .Well done.
RIP to all the American and Japanese soldiers that lost their lives, lets hope we never see another war on this scale ever again
Unfortunately the next war of this scale will have nukes and be much more devastating.
Most of the Japanese soldiers (not civilians) don't deserve that respect for what they did
@@squish2108 RIP Japanese and American soldiers.
@@Mabbdaa ?
@@squish2108 RIP Japanese and American soldiers.
Great work Sir. Thank you for using footage and not animations.
well done, great documentary
Wonderful detailing of historical facts. I’m sure you left something out but my experience with resources on Iwo Jima matches. I congratulate you on respecting the historical record and its interesting reporting in the video.
That was a great documentary, must have been so hard fighting such die-hard people.
This very well done. Thank you. New subscriber. ♥♥
VERY WELL DONE Y'ALL great video thank you
I liked the format. Maps are very useful to understand what is going on. I personally would like to see more details in the height map, so you can understand the terrain better.
would you prefer color grading or rather a real 3d terrain? we're still trying to improve
@@realtimehistory not op, but a real 3d terrain would be very useful.
Clever translation in Japanese. Thank you. R.I.P. to both soldiers.
TY for your service
Incredible. Also saw battle footage that was new to me.
My great uncle was there, he went on the island on D-Day and walked off 35 days later without being wounded. He considered himself quite lucky given the circumstances.
Bullet comes by name.
are you proud for your rat uncle ?
Wtf?
@@kaungsan6272 Chesty Puller said on on Guadalcanal it’s not the one with your name on it you should be worried about rather it’s the one marked “to whom it may concern”
My father Commander O.W. Johnson was a Senior Naval Officer and Beach Master on Iwo Jima. His ship the USS President Monroe hauled over 5000 Marines to Iwo . The Monroe was the Command Vessel for the Invasion of the Island. The officer originally detailed to be the Beach Master fell on the ship and injured his spinal cord. He was my fathers room mate and had discussed the invasion plans in great length with him. They were both Lawyers in Civilian life, As the officer responsible for Land Craft as well as Troops and Cargo he was already slated to see the first wave ashore on Iwo Jima. He volunteered to take over the Beach Master role in addition to his other responsibility and was awarded the Navy Cross for his efforts.
One of the best summaries, by far, of a nearly incomprehensible scenario.