Iwo Jima in WW2 History | World War II Database

1 May 1943

Japan

Irako arrived at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Irako | Iwo Jima | CPC]

15 Apr 1944

Japan

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) launched a raid on Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. ww2dbase [Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot | Yorktown (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands | DS]

16 Jun 1944

Japan

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) launched a raid on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands before heading back to the Mariana Islands and joining in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. ww2dbase [Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot | Yorktown (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands | DS]

24 Jun 1944

Japan

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) launched raids on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. ww2dbase [Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot | Yorktown (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands | DS]

2 Jul 1944

Photo(s) dated 2 Jul 1944

4 Jul 1944

Japan

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) continued combat operations with attacks on Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands. ww2dbase [Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot | Yorktown (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands | DS]

14 Jul 1944

Japan

Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, and Haha Jima were the targets of land-based aircraft for the first time as US Navy Bombing Squadron 109 PB4Y Liberator bombers based at Isley Field, Saipan, Mariana Islands dropped bombed on their airfields. In the United States, USAAF chief General Hap Arnold warned the Joint Planning Staff about the new Japanese Ki-84 fighters. As a precaution, he recommended seizing Iwo Jima to provide emergency airfields for bombers that might be damaged by new Japanese fighters such as the Ki-84. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

4 Aug 1944

Japan

Landing ship No. 152 was sunk by US aircraft at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | Iwo Jima | CPC]

4 Oct 1944

Japan

Landing ship No. 134 was scuttled at Iwo Jima, Japan after being damaged by stormy weather. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | Iwo Jima | CPC]

24 Nov 1944

Japan

USS Chester bombarded Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Chester | Iwo Jima | DS]

27 Dec 1944

Japan

Landing ship No. 132 was sunk by a US destroyer at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | Iwo Jima | CPC]

1 Jan 1945

Japan

19 American B-24 bombers based in Saipan, Mariana Islands struck Japanese positions at Iwo Jima. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | TH]

5 Jan 1945

Japan

American cruisers, destroyers, and carrier aircraft attacked the Bonin Islands. At Iwo Jima, a Japanese landing ship was sunk by destroyer fire. At Chichi Jima, destroyer USS Fanning sank a Japanese freighter by gunfire and a torpedo, while destroyer USS David W. Taylor was damaged by a mine. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

23 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 23 Jan 1945

Battleship Indiana and Cruiser Division 5 bombarded Iwo Jima, 23 Jan 1945, photo 1 of 2

Battleship Indiana and Cruiser Division 5 bombarded Iwo Jima, 23 Jan 1945, photo 2 of 2

29 Jan 1945

Japan

19 American B-24 bombers based in Guam, Mariana Islands attacked Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

0 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 0 Feb 1945

Thirteen SB2C Helldiver dive-bomber from Bombing Squadron VB-3 from USS Yorktown (Essex-class) flying to strike Iwo Jima, 22 Feb 1945.

1 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 1 Feb 1945

B-24J Liberator “Vera L” and other aircraft from the 27th Bomb Squadron drop 55-gallon drums filled with gasoline on Iwo Jima to burn off the plant growth in advance of the landings to come two weeks later, Feb 1 1945.

16 Feb 1945

Japan

Aircraft from USS Sargent Bay made their first attack of Japanese positions on Iwo Jima on Day D -3. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Sargent Bay | Iwo Jima | DS]

Photo(s) dated 16 Feb 1945

Battleship New York bombarding Iwo Jima, 16 Feb 1945; view looked aft, on the starboard side

17 Feb 1945

Japan

USS Wisconsin arrived off Iwo Jima, Japan and bombarded Japanese positions on the island. ww2dbase [Wisconsin | Iwo Jima | CPC]
Aircraft from escort carrier USS Steamer Bay provided smoke over the beaches of Iwo Jima to conceal Underwater Demolition Teams scouting the beaches. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Steamer Bay | Iwo Jima | DS]

Photo(s) dated 17 Feb 1945

Shells exploded ashore during the pre-invasion bombardment of Iwo Jima, 17 Feb 1945

Minesweepers worked the waters off Iwo Jima before the invasion, 17-18 Feb 1945; note the anti-aircraft bursts above the island and a burning aircraft close to the ground on the right

Naval gun shells exploded on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 17-19 Feb 1945

See all photos dated 17 Feb 1945

18 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 18 Feb 1945

A column of landing craft support vessels passing by Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, 18 Feb 1945

US Coast Guardsmen assisting a wounded Marine into an LCVP after the Marine’s LVT sustained a direct hit while heading to the landing beaches on Iwo Jima, Feb 18, 1945.

19 Feb 1945

Japan

At 0905 hours, the first of 30,000 US Marines landed on Iwo Jima, Japan after heavy naval bombardment. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]
USS Wasp's aircraft provided aerial cover for the Iwo Jima, Japan invasion. ww2dbase [Wasp (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 19 Feb 1945

Fifth Division Marines moving inland off the beach, after coming ashore on Iwo Jima, 19 Feb 1945; note Mount Suribachi in background

Killed US Marines on the beaches of Iwo Jima, Japan, Feb 1945

US Marine M4A3 Sherman flame tank, also known as

Men of USMC 5th Division advancing through the volcanic ash hills of Red Beach No. 1 at Iwo Jima, Japan, 19 Feb 1945, photo 1 of 2

See all photos dated 19 Feb 1945

20 Feb 1945

Japan

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) launched 3 days of support missions over Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Yorktown (Essex-class) | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands | DS]

Photo(s) dated 20 Feb 1945

Man of US 9th Marines with flamethrower, Motoyama Airfield (Airfield Number 2), Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

Pfc Reg P. Hester, 7th War Dog Platoon, 25th Regiment, United States Marine Corps took a nap while Dutch, his war dog, stood guard, Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

US Coast Guard and Navy personnel unloading supplies on the beaches of Iwo Jima, Japan, 19-20 Feb 1945

A US Marine used a flamethrower against a Japanese pillbox as he was covered by two riflemen, Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

See all photos dated 20 Feb 1945

21 Feb 1945

Japan

The Japanese Army and Navy launched a combined tokko attack, dispatching 4 and 21 suicide aircraft, respectively. The fleet carrier USS Saratoga and escort carrier USS Lunga Point were hit and damaged, while escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea was sunk. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Saratoga | Iwo Jima | AC]
USS Astoria provided naval gunfire support at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Astoria (Cleveland-class) | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 21 Feb 1945

US Marine on Mount Suribachi, with landing craft in the background, Iwo Jima, Japan, 19-23 Feb 1945

Officers of the US Fifth Marine Division directed the operations from a sandbagged position, Iwo Jima, 21 Feb 1945

Aerial photograph of Mount Suribachi with Iwo Jima

LSM-140 unloading on a southeastern Iwo Jima beach, circa 21-22 Feb 1945

See all photos dated 21 Feb 1945

22 Feb 1945

Japan

USS Astoria provided naval gunfire support at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Astoria (Cleveland-class) | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 22 Feb 1945

Wrecked tank and LVTs on Blue Beach No. 1, Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

Landing craft underway off Iwo Jima, circa Feb 1945, photo 1 of 2

Landing craft underway off Iwo Jima, circa Feb 1945, photo 2 of 2

Scene on an eastern Iwo Jima beach, February 1945

See all photos dated 22 Feb 1945

23 Feb 1945

Japan

US Marines and a Navy corpsman raised an American flag atop Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 23 Feb 1945

Raising the US flag atop Mount Suribachi by Joe Rosenthal, Iwo Jima, Japan, 23 Feb 1945

American flag atop Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, Feb 1945

Men of 28th Regiment, US 5th Marine Division putting up the first flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, at 1020 hours on 23 Feb 1945; note M1 Carbine

LSM-238 unloading on an Iwo Jima Beach, Japan, circa 21-25 Feb 1945

See all photos dated 23 Feb 1945

24 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 24 Feb 1945

Piles of supplies for US 3rd and 5th Marine Divisions, Iwo Jima, Japan, 1945

US Marine Corps Major General Keller Rockey at his command post, Iwo Jima, Japan, 1945

Aerial view of Iwo Jima and Mt Suribachi looking across the southern point and the landing beeches to the supply ship staging area, 24 Feb 1945, five days after the initial landings.

25 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 25 Feb 1945

Supplies being unloaded onto Beach Red One from LSM-141, LSM-43, and LSM-47, Iwo Jima, 25 Feb 1945

Landing ships and craft unloading on Iwo Jima

LCVPs from USS Sanborn underway off Iwo Jima, in mid or late Feb 1945, photo 1 of 2

LCVPs from USS Sanborn underway off Iwo Jima, in mid or late Feb 1945, photo 2 of 2

See all photos dated 25 Feb 1945

26 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 26 Feb 1945

US Fifth Marine Division riflemen waited while a fellow Marine burned out a Japanese-held cave with flame thrower, Iwo Jima, 26 Feb 1945

A captured Japanese soldier, Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

American Marines fed Japanese POWs K rations, Iwo Jima, Feb 1945

Two Americans walked by a temporary grave of a fellow Marine made of the fallen

27 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 27 Feb 1945

28 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated 28 Feb 1945

Destroyed American amtracs and other vehicles on beach of Iwo Jima, Japan, Feb-Mar 1945

US naval transports off Iwo Jima, late Feb 1945

LST-764 unloading on an Iwo Jima beach, circa late Feb 1945

See all photos dated 28 Feb 1945

Photo(s) dated

US Marine hauling an ammunition cart on Iwo Jima invasion beach, Japan, 19 Feb 1945

1 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 1 Mar 1945

Contour map of Iwo Jima, showing Japanese defense installations as observed from ground study during the period of 19 Feb-19 Mar 1945, map 1 of 2

Bulldozer, Jeep, and other vehicles on an Iwo Jima beach, circa late Feb or early Mar 1945

Post office of the US 4th Marine Division, Iwo Jima, 1945

Contour map of Iwo Jima, showing Japanese defense installations as observed from ground study during the period of 19 Feb-19 Mar 1945, map 2 of 2

2 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 2 Mar 1945

LSM-264 unloading on Red Beach One, Iwo Jima, Japan, 2 Mar 1945

3 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 3 Mar 1945

A US Marine ran past a dead Japanese soldier, Iwo Jima, Japan, 3 Mar 1945

Two US Marines with an empty stretcher ran past a dead Japanese soldier, Iwo Jima, 3 Mar 1945

4 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 4 Mar 1945

Two US Marines attacking with flamethrowers on Iwo Jima, Japan, 4 Mar 1945

Overlooking Motoyama Airfield, Iwo Jima, Japan, 4 Mar 1945; note US Marine with M1 Carbine, Type 96 anti-aircraft mount, and the first B-29 to land on Iwo Jima

6 Mar 1945

Japan

28 American P-51 Mustang and 12 P-61 Black Widow aircraft landed on Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 6 Mar 1945

Crew of a 40mm quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount of Alaska loaded clips into the loaders of the left pair of guns, off Iwo Jima, 6 Mar 1945

See all photos dated 6 Mar 1945

7 Mar 1945

Japan

After two-and-a-half weeks of support for the Iwo Jima landings, escort carrier USS Steamer Bay departed the aera bound for Leyte in the Philippines. ww2dbase [Steamer Bay | Iwo Jima | DS]

Photo(s) dated 7 Mar 1945

P-51 Mustangs of the 45th Fighter Squadron lined up on South Field, Iwo Jima, Mar 7, 1945. Fire is from a P-51 from the 78th Fighter Squadron that crashed on landing and struck two parked 45th Fighter Squadron P-51s.

View of the southwestern face of Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, 7 Mar 1945; photo taken from an aircraft of USS Anzio

View of the northern face of Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, 7 Mar 1945; photo taken from an aircraft of USS Anzio

View of an airfield on Iwo Jima, Japan, 7 Mar 1945; photo taken from an aircraft of USS Anzio

See all photos dated 7 Mar 1945

9 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 9 Mar 1945

M4 Sherman tank fitted with a bulldozer blade supporting US Marine infantry on Iwo Jima, 9 Mar 1945.

10 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 10 Mar 1945

B-29 crash-landed on Motoyama Airfield, Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, after fighters disabled two engines on a bombing run over Osaka, 10 Mar 1945. Photo 1 of 2.

A US Marine forward base nestled into the few pieces of foliage left on the island, Iwo Jima, Mar 10, 1945

Columns of vehicles transferring supplies up from the beach on Iwo Jima, Mar 10, 1945.

A Bulldozer with the US Marines 32nd Sea Bees cutting a road to the summit of Mt Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Mar 10, 1945. In 50 years of occupation, the Japanese had never built a road to the top of Suribachi.

See all photos dated 10 Mar 1945

11 Mar 1945

Japan

American fighters began flying escort operations from Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 11 Mar 1945

The sextet of US Army African-American soldiers who risked their lives to save a near-drowning US Marine at Iwo Jima, 11 Mar 1945

14 Mar 1945

Japan

The island of Iwo Jima was declared conquered by Chester Nimitz, noting that "all powers of government of the Japanese Empire in these islands are hereby suspended", but fighting would continue. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 14 Mar 1945

The official flag raising at the American Headquarters on Iwo Jima immediately after Nimitz

15 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 15 Mar 1945

Private First Class H. L. Miles and Corporal C. V. Corley of US Marines rested during a lull in battle, Iwo Jima, Japan, 15 Mar 1945

A wrecked M4 Sherman tank showing a shell hit on its outer wooden timbers, Iwo Jima, 15 Mar 1945.

North American P-51D Mustangs of the 47th Fighter Squadron on Iwo Jima prepare for raid on Chichi Jima, Mar 15, 1945. Note Mt Suribachi in the background.

16 Mar 1945

Japan

Americans declared Iwo Jima, Japan secure, but fighting continued. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 16 Mar 1945

This Japanese soldier played dead for almost two days half buried in a shell hole holding a live grenade. Promising no resistance, he was given a cigarette before being removed from the hole, Iwo Jima, Mar 16, 1945

19 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 19 Mar 1945

Map of defensive installations on Iwo Jima, Japan, 19 Feb-19 Mar 1945

20 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 20 Mar 1945

Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith and Colonel Dudley S. Brown surveying wreckages at the Iwo Jima invasion beaches, circa Mar 1945

23 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 23 Mar 1945

Marines and Army ground crews look over the first Sikorsky R-4 helicopter to land in the fighter strip on Iwo Jima, Mar 23, 1945.

25 Mar 1945

Japan

Tadamichi Kuribayashi passed away on Iwo Jima, Japan. He reportedly committed ritual suicide, but his body was never found. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Tadamichi Kuribayashi | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 25 Mar 1945

P-51D Mustangs of the 531st Fighter Squadron lined up at South Field, Iwo Jima, Mar 25, 1945

A Japanese tank wedged between banks of solid earth was very difficult for US Marines to see or attack from the front, Iwo Jima, Mar 25, 1945.

26 Mar 1945

Japan

The Japanese mounted the final suicide charge with 200-300 men at Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

27 Mar 1945

Japan

The US 5th Marine Division departed from Iwo Jima, Japan (its only combat operation), bound for US Territory of Hawaii for resting. ww2dbase [Iwo Jima | AC]

30 Mar 1945

Photo(s) dated 30 Mar 1945

Japanese 120mm gun protuding from a cave opening, Iwo Jima, Japan, circa Mar 1945

5 Apr 1945

Japan

Americans established an advanced air base on Iwo Jima, Japan. ww2dbase [Battle of Iwo Jima | Iwo Jima | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 5 Apr 1945

Three Japanese soldiers emerged from their hiding place to surrender, Iwo Jima, 5 Apr 1945

Japanese troops being captured by Americans on Iwo Jima, Japan, 5 Apr 1945

6 Apr 1945

Photo(s) dated 6 Apr 1945

Relief Map of Iwo Jima used to brief US carrier pilots; this photo was filed 6 Apr 1945

8 Apr 1945

Photo(s) dated 8 Apr 1945

Americans attacked Japanese snipers in a cave with bazooka and small arms, northern coast of Iwo Jima, during mop up operations, 8 Apr 1945

Flame thrower in use against Japanese holding out in a cave along Iwo Jima

21 Apr 1945

Photo(s) dated 21 Apr 1945

Sandbag, rock and canvas shelter in the rugged terrain of northern Iwo Jima, 21 Apr 1945

Scene along the rocky coast of northern Iwo Jima, 21 Apr 1945

Vehicle path and combat-shattered vegetation in the rugged terrain of northern Iwo Jima, 21 Apr 1945, photo 1 of 2

Vehicle path and combat-shattered vegetation in the rugged terrain of northern Iwo Jima, 21 Apr 1945, photo 2 of 2

See all photos dated 21 Apr 1945

24 Apr 1945

Photo(s) dated 24 Apr 1945

A B-29 Superfortress crashed during an attempted emergency landing on Iwo Jima Apr 24, 1945 and ran into nine P-51 Mustangs. Ground personnel wait behind a Jeep for all ammunition to cook off.

A B-29 Superfortress crashed during an attempted emergency landing on Iwo Jima Apr 24, 1945 and ran into nine P-51 Mustangs.

26 May 1945

Photo(s) dated 26 May 1945

Aerial view looking southward over Iwo Jima

31 Jul 1945

Japan

A test bomb in the shape of the atomic bomb Little Boy, designated L-6, was dropped in the sea near Iwo Jima, Japan from B-29 bomber Enola Gay piloted by Paul Tibbets. ww2dbase [Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki | Paul Tibbets | Iwo Jima | CPC]

31 Dec 1945

Photo(s) dated 31 Dec 1945

Diagram of Iwo Jima invasion beaches with lines of approach used by boats from APA Sanborn drawn by Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen after WW2

23 Mar 2003

Photo(s) dated 23 Mar 2003

US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Scott inspecting an old Japanese Type 96 25mm gun at Iwo Jima, Japan, 23 Mar 2003

21 Mar 2015

Photo(s) dated 21 Mar 2015

Beach used by the US invasion, Iwo Jima, Japan, 21 Mar 2015

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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