US Marines

Sands of Iwo Jima.

US Marine Corps/AP.

US Marines advance up their landing beach on Iwo Jima, 19 February, 1945. In the background, the peak of Mount Suribachi, the volcanic mass dominating the island, is visible. They have the misfortune to be advancing on a well-prepared Japanese defensive position composed of bunkers, foxholes, infiltration tunnels and connecting tunnels that generally had to be captured installation by installation. Most Japanese were still of a mind to fight to the death in the cause of shielding their homeland; a more realistic appraisal of the situation at this stage might have indicated earlier surrender. Few Japanese defenders survived the bitter campaign to enter captivity. BTW - in spite of being sanitized to a considerable degree, the movies "Flags of our Fathers" and - particularly - "Letters from Iwo Jima" are well worth viewing. Best regards, JR.