Iwo Jima 1945 Read online

  Meanwhile, planes from Admiral Mitscher’s Fast Carrier Force hit the Tokyo area for two days, drawing the Japanese Air Services away from the island as planned. The carriers then headed south for Iwo Jima, aiming to be there by 19 February.

  As 17 February dawned clear the three battleships, Nevada, Idaho, and Tennessee, sailed to within 3000 metres of the shore and opened fire. They in turn came under fire from Japanese shore batteries and both the Tennessee and the cruiser Pensacola were hit. Two hours later 12 Landing Craft LCI(G)s sailed close to the shore and fired rocket salvoes at the beaches while Underwater Demolition Teams swam ashore. The teams checked the surf conditions, took samples from the beach and destroyed underwater obstacles while the Japanese guns and mortars hammered the gunboats. The gunboat crews retaliated with their 40mm guns but it was a one-sided battle and they had suffered heavy casualties by the time they withdrew an hour later; nine boats had been put out of action and three had been damaged.

  TBM-3 Avengers and FM-2 Wildcats of Composite Squadron (VC) 96 aboard USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81), circa April 1945.

  STAYING THE COURSE

  Lieutenant Herring was knocked unconscious when LCI (G) 449 was hit on 17 February. He recovered only to be wounded a second time when a mortar shell knocked out the conning station, killing or wounding most of his fellow officers. As the landing craft lurched out of control, Herring climbed into the wrecked pilot house and gave instructions to the engine room. Herring was awarded the Medal of Honor for keeping the landing craft on the firing line.

  The Tennessee, Nevada and Idaho also bombarded the beach with smoke shells until the demolition teams withdrew; they suffered only one casualty. The teams went on to check the west coast beaches in the afternoon. They found suitable beach and surf conditions on both sides of the island and no underwater obstacles.

  Although the Japanese gunners had drawn first blood, they had exposed their positions firing on the landing craft, and Admiral Blandy ordered all available weapons to engage the new targets. Meanwhile, heavy anti-aircraft fire still kept the Army Air Force B-24s at a high level while the carrier-based planes flew 226 combat sorties against the Japanese gun positions. But in spite of the good weather, observers believed hardly any Japanese positions had been knocked out on 17 February.

  V Corps’ Naval Gunfire Officer recommended a change of plan, wanting the ‘maximum concentration of bombardment [to] be placed on and near the preferred landing beaches’ by four battleships and one heavy cruiser. Early the following morning, Admiral Rodgers ordered his ships to ‘close [to] beach and get going.’ They sailed to within 2500 metres of the shore with instructions to use up all their spare ammunition, but once again visibility was poor. Even so the Tennessee fired 333 rounds at the batteries on Mount Suribachi while the Idaho fired another 280 into the Quarry area at the north end of the beach.

  A BRAVE ATTEMPT

  Kuribayashi made the following report on the demolition teams: ‘We were immediately posted to our positions to make preparations for an attack, and at the same time our artillery laid down a fierce barrage. At first, both sides were firing and the continuous smoke and noise of the explosions were terrific. This lasted for 30 minutes after which the enemy without attaining its objective moved the attack to the west coast. The enemy made all of this sacrifice without attaining any results.’

  The low could over Iwo Jima also cancelled all Seventh Air Force missions while escort carrier planes could only carry out 28 sorties. By nightfall the three-day bombardment was over and Schmidt could only hope that it had done enough to allow his Marines to survive once they were ashore. Admiral Blandy’s summary report to Admiral Turner was optimistic:

  Though weather has not permitted complete expenditure of entire ammunition allowance and more installations can be found and destroyed with one more day of bombardment, I believe landing can be accomplished tomorrow as scheduled if necessary. I recommend special attention, before and during landing, to flanks and east coast of island, with neutralizing fire and white phosphorus projectiles immediately available if required…

  Admiral Turner agreed; the assault would go ahead as planned.

  A single low-flying enemy plane flew over the fleet later that evening, dropping a bomb on the Blessman (APD48). The explosion caused over 30 casualties; tragically, most of them were the underwater demolition experts who had survived the hazardous beach reconnaissance missions the previous day.

  The bombardment of the Japanese coastal defences began at 06:40 on 19 February 1945, and everyone noticed that the fleet had been reinforced by the Washington’s and North Carolina’s 16-inch guns. Five minutes later nine LCI(R)s fired the first of 9500 5-inch rockets at Motoyama Plateau, north of the beach. For the next 90 minutes the ships hammered the Japanese defences while the transports moved to their debarkation stations, ready to begin unloading. The rest of the support craft began moving into position at 07:30 and targeted Mount Suribachi and the high ground north of the beaches with their rockets and mortar shells. Then between 08:05 and 08:25 (H-minus-55 to H-minus 35) the fire-support ships manoeuvred into their final positions. There was a short break in the naval bombardment while 120 carrier-based planes bombed and strafed the landing beaches. The naval guns resumed firing as soon as the planes headed back to their carriers.

  All aboard. Marines of 28th Regiment try to organise themselves as they crowd into a Higgins landing craft. (NARA-127-GW-11247)

  All around the battleships and cruisers, LSTs and transports assembled in their assigned areas before opening their bow doors or lowering their ramps. APAs began lowering the tiny LCVPs into the water and they circled while waiting their turn to receive troops. While some Marines climbed into their assigned LVTs, others clambered down the cargo nets into their landing craft.

  As the naval bombardment reaches a crescendo, wave after wave of landing craft and amphibious vehicles head for the shore through the choppy waves; there was no turning back.

  At 07:25 the launching warning signal was given and 20 minutes later 482 amtracs loaded with the first wave of eight battalions turned towards the shore. The navy gunners set their shells for ground bursts while the rocket craft fired another salvo at the beaches and mortar boats shelled the surrounding area.

  At 08:05 the naval guns stopped firing and the ships moved closer to the shore; it was time for Admiral Mitscher’s Fast Carrier Force to do its bit. As the LVTs neared shore, the Marines watched as 72 fighter and bomber planes flew low overhead, strafing, firing rockets and dropping bombs. Another 48 fighters followed, dropping napalm, firing more rockets and more strafing. Admiral Rodgers’ battleships resumed their bombardment as soon as the planes left the area. The naval gunners had increased the range too quickly in previous landings, resulting in excessive casualties on the beach. This time the 5-inch guns would slowly increase the range of the rolling barrage, only 400 yards in front of the Marines. It would require close coordination between the ground troops and the ships offshore to keep the barrage in time with the rate of advance.

  As surf batters the crowded Higgins boats, the Marines watch the Navy bombard the shore. The thought on every one’s mind is will it be enough? (NARA-127-GW-111904)

  General Smith was pleased to hear that all phases of the pre-H-Hour preparation were going to plan and his troops would begin landing at 09:00 as intended. There was no going back now and at 08:30 the first wave of 68 LVT(A)s began the 4000-metre journey from the line of departure. It would take 30 minutes to reach the shore, 30 minutes for the men to contemplate what might be waiting for them on and beyond the beaches. The naval commanders believed they had destroyed or neutralised most of the enemy guns overlooking the landing beaches and their approaches. The Marines were about to find out if their assessment was correct.

  Gunboats firing rockets and 40mm shells were following the first wave and they turned right and left to their firing positions at the last moment. At 08:57 the naval guns switched to targets on the flanks while the planes returned, flying l
ow as they strafed the beaches.

  SECURING THE BEACHHEAD (D-DAY TO D+7)

  D-Day, 19 February 1945

  At 09:02 the first wave of LVT(A) s hit the beaches of Iwo Jima. The crews discovered that they could not drive their vehicles up the steep terraces behind the beaches; they were also too high for them to give supporting fire. As they withdrew into the water in search of inland targets, the first wave of LCVPs hit the beach and lowered their ramps, allowing hundreds of Marines to step ashore along the 3500-metre wide strip of dark volcanic sand. The time was 09:05.

  For the first few minutes Japanese resistance was light and the Marines were relieved to find that there were no obstacles or minefields along the beach. Units quickly reorganised and clambered up the first terrace, finding it hard to walk as their feet sank into the volcanic ash. For a few minutes all was calm and as the first wave advanced inland, some wondered if the naval gunfire and air bombardment had subdued the Japanese. It had not. They were being watched from dozens of hidden bunkers and emplacements. Artillery and mortar crews, machine-gun teams and snipers waited with their fingers on their triggers as the Marines moved tentatively forward.

  Suddenly the guns and mortars on Suribachi and the northern plateau opened fired at registered targets along the beach. At the same time the men who had sat out the bombardment in their concealed pillboxes and caves opened fire with machine guns and rifles. In a matter of minutes the whole beachhead was under fire as the Marines scrambled for cover behind the beach terraces or in bomb craters.

  V AMPHIBIOUS CORPS

  Marines came ashore as follows from left to right:

  5th Division Colonel Harry B. Liversedge’s 28th Marines on Green Beach

  Colonel Thomas A. Wornham’s 27th Marines on Red 1 and Red 2 Beaches

  4th Division Colonel Walter W. Wensinger’s 23rd Marines on Yellow 1 and Yellow 2 Beaches

  Colonel John R. Lanigan’s 25th Marines on Blue 1 Beach

  The landing plan for the Marine Regimental Combat Teams.

  Clear the ramps! As the coxswain slows down ready to land, bullets begin to skim the waves. With only moments to go before the ramp drops, one man bows his head and prays he will survive. (NARA-127-GW-110823)

  Squad leaders and platoon commanders did what they could to rally their men and get them to locate the Japanese bunkers but casualties were mounting and units were disintegrating. For the time being, men took orders to advance from the nearest officer or squad leader. They engaged anything in range and little by little the Marines edged forward.

  However, wave after wave of men and vehicles were coming shore, adding to the congestion and confusion along the water’s edge. As jeeps and trucks bogged down in the soft sand, artillery and mortar shells rained down on the landing craft, many of which were swamped or broached on the shoreline and their crews joined the Marines in their battle to advance inland.

  Go, Go, Go! Bullets and shrapnel meet the Marines as they spill out onto the beach. RCT 26’s first wave is already pinned down at the top of the sand bank and the second wave needs to find cover on the exposed beach. (NARA-127-GW-111114)

  Cutting off Hot Rocks (D+1 to D+4)

  On the left flank, 28th Marines’ 1st Battalion landed first with Companies B and C abreast. Lieutenant Colonel Butterfield’s men pushed inland, looking to reach the western shore as quickly as possible, but while some squads moved fast, others became pinned down in front of one of the many bunkers and pillboxes; they all suffered heavy losses. At 10:35 Company B reached the opposite shore, cutting Mount Suribachi off from the rest of the island, and Company C was soon expanding the tiny foothold.

  Company A mopped up behind them and as Corporal Tony Stein’s platoon advanced inland, he stood up so he could spot the Japanese guns, using his machine gun to draw their fire. He later captured a nest of pillboxes alone, killing 20 soldiers. After running out of ammunition, Stein removed his helmet and shoes and headed back to the beach for more, with a wounded man on his back. He continued his one-man rampage, carrying seven more wounded men back as he collected more ammunition. At the end of the day he covered the withdrawal of his platoon to the company position. Stein was killed in action on 1 March and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

  There is nowhere to hide as the artillery and machine guns on Mount Suribachi rake the beach with bullets and shrapnel. Bodies and debris litter the shoreline while the living try to find cover and get organised. (NARA-127-GW-111156)

  Despite the heavy fire, squad leaders and platoon officers begin to gather their men together, ready to advance. This group are looking for the rest of their company on Green Beach before moving towards Suribachi, codenamed Hot Rocks. (NARA-127-GW-110918)

  2nd Battalion had started landing at 09:35 and Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s men found it difficult to deploy under heavy mortar and artillery fire as they turned west to face the foot of Mount Suribachi. As casualties mounted, Colonel Harry B. Liversedge called for reinforcements and although Lieutenant Colonel Shepard’s 3rd Battalion was ashore by 13:00, it did not reach 2nd Battalion until late afternoon.

  Lieutenant Colonel Collins’ 5th Tank Battalion supported 5th Division and Company C was sent ashore to help RCT 28. The landing craft had been warned not to land on Red 1 Beach due to congestion and heavy fire so the naval officers landed on Red 2 Beach. By 14:00 the company was ashore, having lost only one tank, and the 13 Sherman tanks, two flame tanks and tankdozer crawled towards the front line in single file. A hidden anti-tank gun stood in the column’s way and the Japanese crew were determined not to let them through; four tanks were hit before it was silenced.

  At 11:30 General Rockey passed on General Schmidt’s order to exploit weak points in the Japanese lines to RCT 28. Colonel Liversedge was hoping to attack the foot of Mount Suribachi by mid afternoon but 3rd Battalion was not ready when 2nd Battalion attacked at 16:45. Although progress was made, 2nd Battalion had to withdraw at nightfall to maintain contact with 3rd Battalion.

  27th Marines landed on the 1000-metre wide strip of beach designated Red 1 and Red 2. After reorganising, E and F Companies of Major Antonelli’s 2nd Battalion made good progress on the left as did Company C of Lieutenant Colonel Butler’s 1st Battalion. However, Company B landed 200 metres to the left of its planned position, resulting in a delay. Butler ordered Company A to put ashore and it took over the advance, moving rapidly alongside Company C across the southern end of the airfield.

  Late in the morning Colonel Thomas A. Wornham was pleased to welcome Company B, 5th Tank Battalion ashore and two platoons helped 2nd Battalion reach the west coast by mid afternoon. A third platoon of tanks joined 1st Battalion but they were unable to make much progress across Airfield 1. Lieutenant Colonel Donn J. Robertson’s 3rd Battalion mopped up the area behind 2nd Battalion while Lieutenant Colonel Daniel C. Pollock’s 1st Battalion, 26th Marines came ashore to take up defensive positions behind RCT 27.

  As dusk approached, General Rockey ordered his two regiments to consolidate their positions and dig in for the night. Although they were nowhere near the O-1 Line, 28th Marines had isolated Mount Suribachi, and 27th Marines had reached the western shore of Iwo Jima.

  While 5th Division’s two assault regiments were pushing inland, Colonel Chester B. Graham’s 26th Marines spent most of the day offshore. It had been released as early as 10:00 and the men were in their craft an hour later when the order to proceed to the line of departure was given. There they waited for four hours until Red 1 Beach was cleared. The battalions then landed one after another and took up defensive positions at the southern end of Airfield 1.

  Reconnaissance parties belonging to Colonel James D. Waller’s 13th Marines, 5th Division’s artillery regiment, went ashore mid morning, only to find that their selected battery positions were still in enemy hands. DUKWs of the 5th (Marine) and 471st (Army) Amphibian Truck Companies began taking the guns ashore in the early afternoon but bulldozers and LVTs had to tow each one off the beach. Although 3rd Battalion was firing a
t Mount Suribachi by dusk it took until the following morning to tow and manhandle the rest of the Regiment’s guns off the beach and into position. While the Marines found it relatively easy to get the 75mm pack howitzers guns into position, it required Herculean efforts to do the same for the heavier 105 howitzers.

  4th Division Advances toward Airfield 1

  Colonel Walter W. Wensinger’s 23rd Marines landed on Yellow 1 and Yellow 2 Beaches on the left of General Cates’ 4th Division’s sector. 1st Battalion came ashore on Yellow 1 Beach and as Lieutenant Colonel Haas’ Marines climbed over the terraces beyond the beach they came under heavy fire from Airfield 1. Sergeant Darrell S. Cole led his machine-gun section forward, destroying two emplacements with hand grenades on the way. When faced with another three Japanese pillboxes, he deployed his remaining machine gun and silenced the nearest one before the weapon jammed. He then advanced towards the others armed only with a pistol and grenades; he was killed after knocking out the first one. Cole’s actions allowed his company to take their objective; he was awarded the Medal Honor.

  Major Davidson’s 2nd Battalion met the same difficulties after coming ashore on Yellow 2 Beach. Both battalions needed tanks and when the first of three LSMs of Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, approached the shore at 10:05, Colonel Wensinger was sure that his Marines would soon be on the airfield. Lieutenant Colonel Schmidt watched in horror as his first tank ashore bogged down in the soft sand, blocking the remaining four tanks on the LSM. The remaining twelve tanks came ashore without a hitch but three tanks were disabled when they ran over mines. The remaining tanks reached 1st Battalion, but heavy anti-tank fire stopped them moving beyond the embankment marking the airfield perimeter. They could not reach 2nd Battalion either because of the soft ash and the Marines were forced to attack a large strongpoint alone; it took until the late afternoon to overrun it and reach the airfield perimeter.