Iwo Jima Aniversary

[runco]

I was reminded by a friend, that this past week was the aniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima.  It was 68 years ago this past week, Feb 19, 1945, that the battle began.  The battle offically ended on March 26th.  26,000 American casualties, 6,800 killed.  Thank you to the greatest generation!  What a sacrifice!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

 

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[Will Carry]

I have studied that battle in depth. The Japanese, in one brilliant move, negated our massive array of naval guns and air power. They moved underground. Our 16 inch battleship guns and 1000lb bombs were of little effect. Our Sherman Tanks, not suited for this kind of work. It came down to a marine with a rifle, flame thrower, satchel charges and courage.  It was the closest thing to hell that any man ever experienced (until Okinawa).

 

History gives the casualties as 6,800 dead, 26,000 wounded. I have the figure much higher. Probably 8000-9000 dead 30,000-40,000 wounded or dissabled.  (It's they way the counted back then)  KIAs were the ones dead on the battlefield, they did not count thoses who died from their wounds after being taken off the island. The  WIAs were those wounded by enemy fire. It did not count on the job injuries, sickness, back injuries, trench foot, broken legs and other injuries not related to enemy fire and the did not include battle fatigue (PTSD).

 

All of the Japanese WIA became KIA. That's is why the casualty figures seem so lopsided. If you add all Marine casualties KIAs and WIAs and compare it with all Jap KIAs and WIAs. The Japs got better than 2 for 1.  General Howlin Mad Smith wanted a 10 day naval bombardment and he wanted the Navy to use thier time delayed armor peircing 16 inch rounds to destroy the underground bunker complexes. The Navy told General Smith that THEY were the experts in shore bombardment and they would have the island destroyed in three days. General Smith was Howlin' mad but the invasion went on.  The Japanese were ordered not to do any suicidal Banzi charges either.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Will Carry

[Mike.357]

:usa:

[runco]

I thought I posted this awhile back.  Didn't know it was two years ago. 

 

Lee Ermey reminded me today, it was 70 years ago today that our great nation stormed that island.  I don't think they cared if those Japanese had a job or not, or why they took up arms to fight.  I think our great men were more interested in stomping out the enemy permanently into extinction.  Do you think our men had any rules of engagement back then?

[Dustbuster]

None at all,it was us or them period. My grandmother was a wav in ww2. Used to love hearing her stories. It made me appreciate everything we have especially things that were rationed out during the war. She also knew that although we had Japanese Americans, the japs couldn't be trusted. ( makes me laugh when people whine about TSA) and that was that. Ww2 was pre libtard for sure!