"The Battlefield of Iwo: An Ugly Island Becomes a Memorial to American Valor" An Article from Life Magazine, April 9, 1945 |
The bloody victory on Iwo Jima came too late to save many lives from the 73rd Bombardment Wing Fliers, but it saved the lives of thousands of men who came after them. * Article and photo descriptions are as they appear in the original article in Life magazine, including negative stereotypes common to the era. |
"Marines blow up cave, man at right has just leaned on plunger. Here, on the eastern side of the island, there had been a patch of banyan jungle before bombardment." |
"Hill 382 held the Japs' left flank firm for five bloody days and raked the whole American position. Now its summit is litter with shattered banyan trees and Marine ammunition cases. Jap defense was skillful, it avoided fruitless suicide charges. Marines found few dead Japanese; they were either buried or had been pulled back." |
"Headquarters on Hill 382 was probably this three-tiered blockhouse with five-foot walls. Tank finally opened a hole. Satchel charge enlarged it and flame-throwing tank polished it off." |
" 'Meat Grinder Hill' looms above amphitheater. Across here Marines charged again and again. This was highest hill on northern end. Dark spots are cave entrances, concealing death." |
"A B-29 superfortress shot up in a night raid on Tokyo lies on Iwo's airfield where it made emergency landing. Here it will be repaired for the 725 mile trip to Saipan." |
"The B-24 in the air is one of many that dropped supplies during battle." |
"Boat basin at end of beachhead shows damage inflicted on Japanese craft by bombing. In background is part of invasion armada." |
"Sulphur Springs boiled intermittently under 3rd Division, holding the center. Marines heated rations on them. Whole island sputtered, chasing Japanese out of caves too hot for them." |