Memory strands of Iwo Jima (60th Anniversary)

Philly Inquirer | 18 Feb 2005 | Edward Colimore

[Big Digger]

There were two main factors that drove the high casualty rate. The huge size of the fleet around Okinawa, and the sheer ferocity of the Kamikaze assault. Between 12 and 15 USN ships were sunk, many of them radar picket destoyers and destroyer escorts, placed closer to Japan to give the earliest possible warning that suicide planes were incoming to the main body of the fleet, which included the carriers and larger escorts and support ships supporting the landings. Several of the Essex class carriers were seriously damaged, and although none were sunk, they had large crews and many casualties. The BUNKER HILL itself, had over 500 dead. The fleet around Okinawa was larger than that at the Normandy invasion, and the battle raged for 83 days. This fleet became known as "The Fleet That Came to Stay", because they would not let the Japanese drive them away. The Navy took a terrible beating at the series of naval battles with the Japanes Navy at Guadalcanal, but Okinawa was worse.

[RaceBannon]

Kamaikazis and the hurricane, I think they lost more ships inthe hurricane than inbattle, too

I think it was called OPERATION ICEBERG

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/okinawa/chapter1.htm

http://www.rickard.karoo.net/articles/battles_okinawa1.html

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/okinawa/default.aspx

[RaceBannon]

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq102-6.htm

Hurricane off Okinawa

Sorry, TYPHOON

[canalabamian]

Yes, I am referring to Okinawa. 12,000 US dead between 1 April and 22 June. Largely forgotten as a battle, I think because it was sandwiched between Iwo and Hiroshima. It is usually accepted that the high toll during the Oki campaign is THE reason Truman decided to use Fat Man and Little Boy. With a few exceptions the IJA/IJN had decided to use attrition to bleed the US white. This strategy caused some conflict within the Japanese command on Okinawa. Sort of contrary to the Bushido code. As for the Navy, I believe they lost more souls during the Okinawa campaign than in all other Pacific actions put together. Sledge's book, "With the Old Breed" and Feifer's, "The Battle of Okinawa" put it into pretty good perspective from a Marine mortar man's and an operational point of view respectively. IMO.

[the invisib1e hand]

GREAT piece on the Wall Street Journal Op Ed page about Iwop Jima today. I'm surprised no one posted it, and I don't have it electronically. Really puts things in perspective.

[Chad Fairbanks]

And Ping again...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

U.S. military planners thought the battle would be over within a few days - and their theory would be tested by the first wave of Marines, including Perry.

In the early morning, the troops clambered over the side of troop ships for amphibious tractors (amtracs) stored on landing craft. The amtracs were released close to the beach for the final dash to land.

"I couldn't believe we wanted to take the island; I thought, 'This is crazier than hell,' " said Perry, 79, a retired bank officer.

Perry stepped out of an amtrac and sank knee-deep into black sand while mortar shells rained down and machine gun fire raked the beach.

Coming in behind him was a second wave, including Szostek, who saw the first Marines "getting all shot up. They couldn't get off the beach."

I appreciate the pings, guys. My dad was in this first wave.

By the way, does anyone know what date/time it is in Japan right now?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually, I just looked, and I think it is tomorrow in Japan today... Day ahead, if I read it correctly.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Okay - thanks.