Posted on 02/18/2005 12:29:49 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Richard Kemp tapes a towel around the barrel of his restored 1944 Sherman tank while getting it ready on Thursday morning for today’s trip to a Fredericksburgevent recognizing the Battle of Iwo Jima. Kemp’s tank, which took him about 11 years to restore, will play a part in a historical re-enactment of the famous conflict on Saturday and Sunday.
Iwo Jima Ping!
I do not know a lot about the battle, but I am curious.
Were there tanks used on Iwo Jima? It seems unlikely.
"Were there tanks used on Iwo Jima? It seems unlikely.
"
Yes, there were, and on both sides. Google "tanks iwo jima" (skip the quotes) and you'll find out more. Some of our tanks mounted flamethrowers, and were pretty effective. Tanks received a lot of fire as they landed on the beachhead.
It's amazing what you can find on Google.
Yes. While not invulnerable to Japanese anti-tank fires (delivered with artillery pieces and naval guns concealed in caves) and buried explosive charges, they were highly effective bunker busters. Marines liked them, especially the flame tank variant.
Just what I need for Houston rush hour traffic.
Yes there were.
"Just what I need for Houston rush hour traffic.
"
No air conditioning, though....mighty warm in August, I'll bet.
"Just what I need for Houston rush hour traffic.
"
No air conditioning, though....mighty warm in August, I'll bet.
Hatches open and a small fan.
I'm sure CNN would be horrified by that image today.
Hey buddy, got a light?
I'm jealous.
Re the battle for Iwo Jima..estimates are that over 25,000 USAAF lives were saved when B-29s' damaged during the raids over Japan, used the emergency airfields on Iwo. Indeed, just as the flag was going up on Suribachi, a badly damaged B-29 ditched in the ocean alongside a destroyer that was shelling Japanese positions. The entire crew was rescued..
Ten years ago, I was in japan and flying out of Tokyo's city airport, Hanaida.
In the waiting area was a Shinto priest and a few older gentlemen in suits with medals pinned on. I asked some one what the big deal was and they said the 50th anneversary of Iwo.
It was strange. 50 years earlier, we would have been at each other's throat.
Since that time, I've read "Flags of Our Fathers". This is the true story of the 5 Marines who raised the flag over Iwo. Should you want an excellent read and a good over view of what happened there, I highly recommend it.
I also recommend "Flyboys" which is the author's follow up to FLags about bombing runs on a sister isalnd to Iwo.
Had I read that before seeing the old Jap soldier, I might not have been so respectful, regardless of their age!
Didn't they tow fuel tanks behind them on Iwo?
I know the British put a slightly larger cannon on some of the Shermans (a 3 pounder, for the weight of the shell?) and called it a 'Fire-fly'. And they rigged them for the D-day landings for special functions: mine flails, bridging: "funnies" I think they were called. For a while in N. Africa, Rommel didn't have anything to match it. Then the Russian T-34 came along and the German Tiger.
What a great tank!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.