Battle Over Iwo Jima
by:Sofia and Braden
Introduction
The Battle for Iwo Jima began on February 19, 1945. The United States invaded Iwo Jima with 70,000 U.S. marines. During a period of 26 days the marines sailed from Hawaii to Iwo Jima. Only 7,000 of the U.S. marines were killed in this brutal battle. U.S. marines captured 216 Japanese soldiers, and the rest were killed or wounded. The island was declared secure on March 16, 1945. Iwo Jima was one of the islands that the U.S. had to capture to be able to invade Japan safely. On February 23, marines reached the top of Mt. Suribachi and raised an American flag.
Setting of Iwo Jima by BattleforIwoJima
Artifact 1-Setting of The Battle Over Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima is part of the many Volcano islands in Southern Japan.This specific beach had many caves that were useful for fighting during the battle. Meatgrinder hill is a big mountain on this beach that the Japanese and Americans were battling over. They also battled over Mt.Suribachi where five United States marines raised the American Flag. The beach was a jungle so you can see the many trees and plants in the background along with both mountains.
Ways of Death in the Battle for Iwo Jima by BattleforIwoJima
Ways of Death in the Battle for Iwo Jima
Many soldiers died of starvation,malaria and gunfire during this long, brutal, and bloody battle. Because the soldiers were fighting in a rainforest, many of them caught the deadly disease malaria from mosquitos and jungle environment. Supplies ran out quickly, especially food. This caused many soldiers to die of starvation. Even though many soldiers died of malaria and starvation, they would also die of gunfire. Gunfire contributed to the death toll the most during the Battle for Iwo Jima. In the box you can see soldiers dying of gunfire, starvation, and malaria.
Kamikaze plane attacks by BattleforIwoJima
Kamikaze Plane Attacks in the Battle for Iwo Jima
Kamikaze planes were sent to attack US bases all over the pacific. During the battle over Iwo Jima the Japanese planned Kamikaze attacks on the beach.In the box you can see a crashed plane from a Kamikaze attack during the battle over Iwo Jima
Flamethrower by BattleforIwoJima
Flame Throwers in the Battle for Iwo Jima
Flamethrowers were used a lot in the Battle over Iwo Jima. This is because the battle was close contact so the flamethrowers were used to blow up caves,bunkers, and bases of the enemy. In the box you can see a flamethrower held by a soldier that has just been used to blow something up;.
Soldiers by BattleforIwoJima
Soldiers in the Battle for Iwo Jima
Many soldiers fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. There were 70,000 american soldiers and 22,000 Japanese soldiers. They fought till death and died of gunfire,malaria,and starvation.26,000 americans died in the war. In the box you can see many soldiers fighting for their lives.
Raising of the flag by our heros we focused on by BattleforIwoJima
Raising of The Flag In the Battle for Iwo Jima
Once the island of Iwo Jima was captured by the allied powers on February 23 1945 the soldiers began to make their way up Mt suribachi to place the flag on the mountain. The people who helped do this are our heros from this event including Charles W. Lindberg, Ernest I. Thomas Jr., Henry O. "Hank" Hansen, Raymond Jacobs), James Michels. In the box you can see these men raising the flag on the mountain.
M1 steel helmet by BattleforIwoJima
M1 Steel Helmet in the Battle for Iwo Jima
In the battle over Iwo Jima US marines wore helmets to protect their heads, these helmets were M1 steel helmets and are seen in the famous pictures of the marines placing the flag on Mt. Suribachi. In the box you can see a helmet on the jungle floor of a dead soldier,you can also see these helmets on the heads of allied soldiers.
Rafts used to transport marines to Iwo Jima by BattleforIwoJima
Rafts Used to Transport Marines to Iwo Jima
Because the battle of Iwo Jima took place on an island the marines had to get to the island by jumping off boats or taking rafts. These boats would be deployed by a bigger ship. In the box you can see a raft arriving at the island bringing more allied marines to fight.