A Field Artillery Piece sits
next to the Iwo Jima
Museum.
Eric examines the topographic
display of Iwo Jima, an island
that is 5 miles long &
2.5 miles wide.
The Allies wanted Iwo Jima and its two airfields to stop Japanese fighter plane attacks on US bombers during raids on Japan. Under American control, the air fields could be used for emergency bases for damaged planes and as a base for US fighter escorts.
The Japanese had no intention of giving up Iwo Jima. They based 22,000 troops there and dug a 16 miles of tunnels linking caves and dugouts to defend the island. Their plan was to fight to the end, and to kill every single invader.
This schematic shows
US invasion planning.
After days of bombardment, the Marines started coming ashore on February 19, 1945 in amphibious crafts. Vehicles and men bogged down in the loose volcanic soil. That's when the Japanese opened fire from their hiding places. Fighting was fierce along the beaches. The plans for the invasion was slowing as Marines fought hard for each foot of ground Iwo Jima. On February 23 Marines raised the US flag at Mount Suribachi, the tallest point on the island, at its southern tip.
More and more American troops were sent into battle as the casualties mounted. Approximately 70,000 Marines and 18,000 Japanese soldiers fought on the tiny island. After 36 days of fighting Iwo Jima was declared to be secure.
Medals, photos, uniforms,
souvenirs & memorabilia
help tell bring the battle
to life.
A 32 minute film details the
Battle at Iwo Jima.
More than 2,200 bombers landed at Iwo Jima and 24,000 American airmen's lives were saved because of the emergency air strips.
Bowman, Jr.'s uniform.
He became the Marine Military
Academy's superintendent after
retirement from military service
in 1972.
Don't let the museum's small size fool you, there's a lot to learn about the Battle of Iwo Jima and the men who fought there.
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