Terrible Price of Victory - Battle of Iwo Jima (WW2 Documentary)

[@realtimehistory]

Support Real Time History on Patreon: patreon.com/realtimehistory We hope you liked this surprised episode. Special thanks to Project '44 and the Canadian Research and Mapping Association for their help with this episode. Their iwojimamap.com/ was the inspiration for this Iwo Jima documentary. We wanted to try out if we could hook their map data to our motion graphics. Iwo Jima was the perfect test case since it was geographically a limited campaign. As you saw, our idea was a success and we will build on what we learned here for our upcoming Napoleon project.

[@emmanuelfernandez04]

When you guys upload the Napoleonic Wars episodes?

[@donlutz4346]

poi

[@stevepike1057]

³3³r

[@pat8988]

Thanks for those map improvements. It’s really appreciated. I think you’ve set a new standard. One suggestion, insert a North arrow to help the viewer orient themselves.

[@山田国雄-s4m]

毛利裕仁に背中を撃たれた日本兵。何故、毛利裕仁と一族郎党と子々孫々を抹殺しなかったの？

[@suzyhummel8118]

My father was there, the fourth division, a Sargent. He made it through unwounded which is astonishing. He would be 100 years old next month, I miss him dearly.

[@dennisplatte7506]

Well 70,000 US Marines were on the Island-----and 26,000 KIA or Wounded. So not sure why that was astonishing. My dad got hit 3 days from the end-----bullit thru both legs.

[@RafProductions3]

@@dennisplatte7506 could he walk again?

[@dennisplatte7506]

@@RafProductions3 Yup----dad spent time in 4 hosptials----but did walk and return to duty-----and they made him a kitchen supervisor at a the Philidelpia Navy Yard. He always had big holes in his legs-----so pretty obvious he been hit in a short bathing suit. In later years he couldn't walk up ramps----or walk down the small incline to his mailbox. But for some reason could do steps. He got 10% for each leg-----.

[@ronstallworth9421]

I’m sure he was hurt on the inside. My salute to him.

[@colonalklink14]

I am Canadian and I want to tell you that I am grateful for your dad's service.

[@jimhitchcock2383]

One of my high school teachers was a Marine on Iwo. Japanese troops would "reappear" in bunkers that had been cleared, due to their tunnels. The Marines brought cement mixers ashore. They ran 24/7 making cement that was used to close off troublesome bunkers. He has always wondered how many Japanese were 'buried alive". He was never able to forget the sound of the mixers.

[@yipeng2756]

sounds interesting

[@Fittafella27]

Of the iwo jima combat the mixers is the sound that stuck with him?

[@1331423]

Jeez, that's brutal. Absolutely horrific for everyone involved.

[@NobodyUR]

@@Fittafella27makes sense if he’s attributing the folks who were all but buried alive by them

[@Goldfinch23]

During desert storm, they used combat dozers to bury hundreds of Saddam's troops in trenches instead of clearing the via hand. Quote "I came through right after the lead company. What you saw was a bunch of buried trenches with people's arms and things sticking out of them."

[@thanos_6.0]

"Letters from Iwo Jima" is a really great movie about the battle. It is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@clauschrist2791]

"Flag of Our Fathers" shows the American perspective. Sometimes the same scenes as in "Letters.." but from a different angle. I think those two films should be seen together. And I agree they are among the greatest movies of all times.

[@garystefanski7227]

Bit of a stretch there buddy.

[@e.a.corral4713]

Clint Eastwood did a great job on both 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 🎟 🎬 movie's. Read a story that he delivered papers & saw the picture 📸 📷 🖼. Have both movie's & the soundtrack along with the book. 1 of the greatest pic's of all time.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

e.a. corral he got a couple of things inaccurate though. One, he said that the Japanese didn’t take any prisoners on Iwo, as you see here they were taken in. Secondly he depicted the Montford Point Marines(The 8th Ammo Company in this film)to have just stayed aboard ship while they were inland evacuating casualties and taking the prisoners. They helped defend the airfield during the banzai attack and two of them got the bronze star. They did not just ferry supplies and evacuate the wounded and they should have been recognized for that. It shocked me that Clint of all people, who is an avid and accurate historian, misplayed historical facts here.

[@Peter-ox7wh]

Yep, and for me is way better than Flag of our fathers.

[@kenowens9021]

My friend, Cpl. Eugene Iaconetti, of the 4th Marines Engineers, survived 33 days on Iwo Jima. He is still alive and smiling at the age of 98 years old.

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.

[@mikemiller9835]

Smile at clintons or current president

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

@@mikemiller9835 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5TYfod3iqitgZY

[@robertnegron9706]

Bloody marvelous

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

@@robertnegron9706 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5TYfod3iqitgZY

[@garagespooky8193]

Poor souls on both sides. The young kids who were sent to war and saw so much violence in a thousand lifetimes. The young truly fight, the old men’s war. RIP young brave souls.

[@shoktroop]

I am a Marine (no longer active) who was honored enough to get to land on Iwo Jima with the 1st battalion 1st Marines on a West pack in 90. We did an amphibious landing according to our history. I'm telling you... having the tracks stop, the landing doors open and we walked up the sand bar.. The feeling was beyond humbling.. To stand there.. were our brothers had.. looking up a Suribachi... We performed our re-enlistment and awards ceremony on the island.. I will never forget that..

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Re-enactment?!

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Wow.... if a Marine was going to reenlist, this would be the place. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sgt...OUT

[@fluffyusa]

I served from 92-97 in the US Army. 93-97 was in Bavaria, Germany. I was deployed 3 weeks to Normandy France to provide security for the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion back in 94'. I visited the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach where closed to 10,000 of my brothers before me never made it back home alive. Semper Fi.

[@shoktroop]

@@roderickstockdale1678 No and yes.. To honor our history we performed amphibious landings instead of helicoptering in (helo).. Was amazing

[@andreinarangel6227]

WESTPAC (capital letters and no "K").

[@rowbearly6128]

As Churchill said ."Everyone talks about fighting to the last man, but only the Japanese do it.". Got to admire their tenacity and bravery.

[@redriveral2764]

I don't admire them at all. They were brainwashed into that mindset. I only wish we could have killed more of them in that horrible war.

[@timsplanet2]

No, you haven’t

[@rowbearly6128]

@@timsplanet2 cowards often fight past wars bravely.

[@pachuco1815]

@@rowbearly6128 most of the usa join the military for only the great benefits packages they get! and not for patriotic valor! I know a lot of people who brag about why they joined and what they got and still get! true facts, not bs brainwashing!

[@garypulliam3740]

Wake

[@mr.y3475]

My father was Chief Pharmacists Mate 1st Class Jack Yinger. He was fighting to save American (and a few Japanese) lives ashore during this entire battle. He saw both flags raised and was present at the capture of the airfields. I was born on Feb. 28, 1951, exactly 6 years later.My father was a great man whose contributions to America continued until he died. I am proud to be his son.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Was he with a Division or V Corps?

[@dennisplatte7506]

Very few Marines saw the flag raising----they were fighting in the other direction, and a mile or two from the Mount. But all did see it eventually---when the roar floated up the Island----and they turned around to look back at the tiny flag a mile or two in their rear. They put up the bigger and more famous flag so the Marines a couple of miles up the Island could see it---and then they saw it. My dad made it thru to almost the end-----then got shot in the legs and was evacuated by plane from the airfield he'd fought across 3 weeks before.

[@markjordan1765]

Semper Fi SON

[@alliecollin1748]

😍🇬🇧

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.

[@Nuseeker]

Jesse (and team), I served as a US Marine (about 50 years ago) and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this episode. Your other episodes (that I have watched) are nothing short of outstanding as well! I am not a rich man, but I will start supporting your work on Patreon today. I hope you do more on the Marines in the future and as a man of Hungarian descent I also greatly appreciate your episodes on Hungary. Thanks, Jesse

[@realtimehistory]

thank you for the support. we have a few more plans for future ww2 videos like Iw Jima. Definitely a few more amphibious landings on our list.

[@日高健二-k9b]

国籍･宗教･人種を問わず、この戦いに参加されて亡くなられた方々のご冥福をお祈りをすると共に、平和な日本で生活できる事に感謝します。

[@aixelsyd867]

It is always better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war

[@chesterullrich2525]

@@aixelsyd867amen

[@georgehollingsworth2428]

TRUE FACT: It is astonishing to note that even with Iwo Jima being as small as it is, just several miles long, that the last Japanese surrendered there on January 6, 1949, well over THREE YEARS after the battle.

[@lelostimulus9995]

What a dumba$$ lolol

[@mudman5229]

@@lelostimulus9995 still Sooners than someone who surrender after 30 years from Japan capitulation.

[@jonathanallard2128]

His name was Chadu Chadamoto.

[@kulot-ki1tu]

@@mudman5229 i think he means in iwo jima specifically but there was this one dude in the philippines who only surrendered in the 1970s

[@roderickstockdale1678]

kulot420 360 2nd Lt. Hiroo Onoda.

[@sandraelsmaterialoblivion7201]

My uncle was at Iwo. He was a landing craft driver - got stuck on the beach on the second landing, picked up a Garand and played "Marine" for awhile. When I see war footage from Iwo, I wonder if I have ever seen his face. Also, met a Iwo Marine Vet a few years ago - he and I both wondered if it was my uncle who drove him to the beach. Much respect to all who were there - total bloodbath

[@Oppteekap]

Cool story! Thankful for your uncle’s service.

[@graham2631]

My grandfather is still over in Europe l have watched footage for years hoping to see him.

[@hebereke767]

私の叔父は硫黄島に行った陸軍上等兵でした。3月18日に戦死しました。私も日本酒を持って一度ここに行きたい。

[@surfboy344]

I was stationed on Iwo Jima from 1991-1992 at the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN station. Spent weekends crawling through the extensive caves and tunnel systems from the war. The island was still littered with ordinance and we took several Marine Corps battle study groups around the island. Over 700 caves, tunnels and fortifications. What our Marines did there was absolutely incredible.

[@randmayfield5695]

I was there in 1976 TAD from LORAN Station Geisashi on Okinawa. Iwo was my favorite because it reminded me of Mysterious Island by Jules Vern. I worked one on two off except for resupply day every two weeks and once a month for inventory.

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

Wow that’s amazing, I would love to go there although I would be frightened going into the caves as many life’s were lost in there i would be abit freaked..I’ve always wondered what it would bd like now..Do America still have a base over there Jim..?

[@surfboy344]

@@Roscoe.P.Coldchain Unfortunately, the LORAN station was turned over to the Government of Japan in 1993 or 94. The U.S. Navy still does carrier landing practice at the airfield occasionally. Otherwise, it's only the Japan Air Self-defense Force and Maritime Self-defense force that's permanently there. Visits are strictly limited.

[@robertnegron9706]

Wow amazing. “ Uncommon valor was a common Virtue “.

[@billandmonicaschleicher9018]

My Great Grandfather was a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF. He fought in the Pacific, and was at Iwo Jima. Once, while walking in the scarred battlefield recently after the battle ended, he found a Japanese sword broken in half, in a cement mixer. He later learned that Japanese officers would break them in half, in order not to surrender them to the Americans. For some reason, he did not keep the sword pieces. Thanks for uploading Real Time History!

[@NoJokes11B]

20,000 Japanese with no reinforcements or resupplies held its own for 30 days against 100,000 Marines and 700 ships. That’s insane.

[@pillcosby546]

Fighting to the death will do that lol

[@chxse8685]

guerrilla warfare tends to favor the defender

[@ssukhdeepkaur1783]

Strong defenses

[@TROll-oe9ng]

@@tomdog5265 no, no, no. That’s Japanese!

[@Garden2ndvariety]

very special brand of insanity to be sure .

[@brianmorger2174]

Thanks for this terrific information. My Father landed there with the 5th Marine Division on February 19th. He survived to go on to Japan until the end of the war. He visited Iwo again on the 50th anniversary of the war-event. He met former combatants, made final peace and returned to his home in Montana to live out the remaining years of his life.

[@jonathanallard2128]

He's a survivor.

[@yrobtsvt]

Wow, this is incredible. I had no idea this was such a slow and grueling battle.

[@boobtoob2002]

Possibly one of the most horrific battles/campaigns of all time.

[@cyberpunkfalangist2899]

we honestly should have just started dumping chlorine gas onto every inch of the battlefield going foward

[@georgehollingsworth2428]

Iwo Jima is the only Pacific battle where American casualties were as bad as the Japanese.

[@badmonkey2222]

@@georgehollingsworth2428 what are you talking about the Japanese had over 19,000 killed while the Americans had about 8,000 killed that's marines and navy combined.

[@georgehollingsworth2428]

@@badmonkey2222 Yes. Casualties are KILLED AND WOUNDED.

[@texasexotics9645]

My Grandpa was there, I wish I knew more about his experience but it was very hard for him to talk about. He drove the soldiers to shore in the amphibious vehicles just to watch them get mowed down seconds after the gates let down. Thankfully the amphibious boat was just out of reach so they couldn’t hit my Grandpa, but he witnessed many of his friends die. All he could do was cover fire for them using his Browning machine gun. Thats all my Grandpa would ever tell us, man I miss him.

[@larrybaker5316]

that had to be really traumatic for your grandfather to witness and deal with the rest of his life. His service is muchly appreciated by this Nam vet.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

My he Rest In Peace.

[@RicardoPineda-zq8gu]

Semper fi

[@SuperFrank6666]

I lost my oldest cousin at Iwo. I was born 5 years after his death. His sister is still alive and remembers him well. He was brought back to the US 8 years after his death and was laid to rest with his father who died 2 years earlier. His mother lived 42 years after his death and was laid to rest with her husband and son. RIP

[@capoconstruction1961]

Respect

[@Ranger-sl3qq]

That is an awesome beard you have sir. Also, respect to your cousin. You will see him again one day

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYLagWZ-mpyZaqs

[@opieutt9038]

My cousin was blown up there and was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. RIP to all the Marines who died there. 🌹

[@ヤマトウズメ-r1o]

@@opieutt9038 kzbin.info/www/bejne/faTdiGlshLSpra8 Before the battle of Iwo Jima Kuribayashi gives a speech to soldiers If it becomes a long-term battle Earn time for children to evacuate from Tokyo Fight to save future children Iwo Jima Japanese Army Tools for digging tunnels Was a small number Dig by soldier's hand

[@xBezerkerrr]

RIP to all the American and Japanese soldiers that lost their lives, lets hope we never see another war on this scale ever again

[@jackpackage4278]

Unfortunately the next war of this scale will have nukes and be much more devastating.

[@squish2108]

Most of the Japanese soldiers (not civilians) don't deserve that respect for what they did

[@Mabbdaa]

@@squish2108 RIP Japanese and American soldiers.

[@squish2108]

@@Mabbdaa ?

[@Mabbdaa]

@@squish2108 RIP Japanese and American soldiers.

[@kidmohair8151]

I have watched everything you folks have put out over the last 8 years (from WW1 in real time, to the present) and will continue to do so, until you stop.

[@realtimehistory]

great, we won't stop for a long time ;)

[@Currahee_1944]

The maps from P44 brought this documentary to the next level. Incredibly well done and the animation of each map and text call out was perfect. Hardly felt longer than a few minutes after watching. Definitely keep working with P44 on these short films

[@realtimehistory]

we will

[@Ahtnagarp]

respect for both factions in this battle, both are fearless warriors..

[@edstrohmeier7494]

My uncle was in the 4th Marine division. This is the best explanation of the battle I have found. Looks like the 4th had the toughest area to overcome. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, now I know what he had to endure. By the way he did make it home!!!

[@dennisplatte7506]

Well the 5th Marine Division thought they had the toughest area. But my dad's 3rd Marine Division thought they had the toughest route------right up the middle of the Island between the two other Divisions. And for sure your dad thought they had the toughest------. It was really how bad your individual platoon or company had it. My dad's company walked off with only 8 of their original guys that landed a month before. But a few battalions over-----the unit only had 4 left of the 220 that landed a month earlier. Of course more injuries than KIA.

[@edstrohmeier7494]

@@dennisplatte7506 Without a doubt it was pure for all our troops on that island!!

[@dennisplatte7506]

@@edstrohmeier7494 What made it extra tough----is that most Marines never saw a live Japanese to fire at. They fired out of small holes and then went back underground-----and often popped up behind the Marines.

[@ColKorn1965]

My neighbor, James Thomas Cotton was on Iwo and wounded multiple times. He died in the 90's because of a complication of those wounds. RIP

[@ISawABear]

Man the maps in this video really help to show just how prepared the Japanese positions were.

[@1pcfred]

There wasn't much in the way of night life on Iwo. So they had all their time to prepare.

[@davegutenech7188]

My Dad dident talk to me about Iwo. But him & his buddy's would gather every few years & I think they talked. His foot locker had lots of cool stuff from the Pacific.

[@427SuperSnake1]

My grandfather was a Marine and was awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Iwo.

[@krazeekalvin]

My grandfather was in the first wave and earned his purple heart there. He told me many stories. He will be 97 next week

[@hannahskipper2764]

Great episode to cover an intense battle! The video footage alongside your commentary, in my opinion, really showed the grind of battle very well. I'm looking forward to more form you guys!

[@new_age_entertainment]

Just discovered these and have been binge watching most of the day. Great work!

[@kyon__2525]

字幕を付けていただきありがとうごさいます。 悲しい歴史が繰り返されないことを祈ります。

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Great video, with a lot of great information. Thanks for your work.

[@realtimehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chubbymoth5810]

I liked the format. Maps are very useful to understand what is going on. I personally would like to see more details in the height map, so you can understand the terrain better.

[@realtimehistory]

would you prefer color grading or rather a real 3d terrain? we're still trying to improve

[@dragonjo-fy4ki]

@@realtimehistory not op, but a real 3d terrain would be very useful.

[@elizabethrichards9152]

My grandfather was Lt. Col. Justin Gates Duryea. He was the first commander of the 27th battalion. He lost his right arm there in a land mine. There's a great book called Blood and Sand he wrote an introduction for. Grandpa also trained paratroopers before he went to Iwo Jima. When he was asked if he wanted to go there he said does a duck like water

[@elizabethrichards9152]

Sorry the book is Red Blood and Black Sand by Chuck Yeager.

[@naslan]

Without question, one of the best and most nuanced documentary on Iwo. Great work, earned a new subscriber!

[@realtimehistory]

welcome to the show

[@hayshammond5499]

Many inaccuracies, like the dimensions of Iwo and mispronouncing Peleliu.

[@古賀尽誠]

火山島だけに洞窟内は蒸し暑い。36日間フルに戦った日本将兵の辛さは如何ばかりだったか、想像もつかない。

[@danielcomyn2241]

My great uncle was there, he went on the island on D-Day and walked off 35 days later without being wounded. He considered himself quite lucky given the circumstances.

[@kaungsan6272]

Bullet comes by name.

[@johnwick7900]

are you proud for your rat uncle ?

[@interman7715]

Wtf?

[@jrhutto8926]

@@kaungsan6272 Chesty Puller said on on Guadalcanal it’s not the one with your name on it you should be worried about rather it’s the one marked “to whom it may concern”

[@harryshriver6223]

One of the most comprehensive and informative accounts on the true cost of the iconic battles of the Pacific Theater, kudos to you.

[@CleverContrarian]

And now we are all friends

[@aljano1976]

My Dad (5th Division) was one of the Marines on Iwo Jima. He rarely talked about the experiences he had there or elsewhere in the South Pacific. When I was in college I bought a used Datsun station wagon and when I went to visit Dad only then did it register with me that he might have reservations about a Japanese vehicle. He sternly said “son - that was wartime……and once they surrendered he harbored no I’ll feelings whatsoever - sharing any Japanese would be welcome into his home any time. That generation really was the greatest - they had their heads and hearts in the right place all the time.

[@Ranger-sl3qq]

Respect

[@GooseGumlizzard]

they're called the greatest generation for a reason and they earned it

[@ye_dynasty166]

so much respect for soldiers and veterans alike. I played paintball with my friends the other day, and the fear of getting hit is pretty bad. Now imagine that but with real bullets and artillery, and other stuff, must have been terrifying.

[@ch0wned]

Tremendous respect for Dr. Carpenter, once a Marine always a Marine. Brilliant man. Founded the RADAR Lab at MIT. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@JohnRinNoHo]

My uncle was in the battles of Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima, he passed away a couple of years ago at 100, he was still driving at 98!

[@mikevogler5973]

My grandpa was in the 2nd wave was wounded in first 45 min of the battle and received the purple heart he came home he fought on alot of islands including saipan tinian roi Namur he was as badass as any marine and was a great grandfather miss him dearly

[@lauradietz3156]

IS HE STILL ALIVE?

[@mikevogler5973]

@@lauradietz3156 no he passed away in 2010

[@TM-yn4iu]

Excellent historical presentation, not only in narrative, but video/audio/facts. Impressive!!!

[@lukeskywalker2116]

Uncle Lance was the only man in his platoon who survived. I can’t imagine watching my friends get murdered one by one right next to me knowing that the enemy wants to kill me too.

[@DannyArmz]

Absolutely amazing content. This might be my favourite history video (and channel) of all time. Incredible work.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

One of the best summaries, by far, of a nearly incomprehensible scenario.

[@lavarball2910]

For the memory of my uncle, john basilone, may you rest in peace. From our family and aunt lena, we love you so much and always.

[@Kei-zh9fh]

Clever translation in Japanese. Thank you. R.I.P. to both soldiers.

[@woahhbro2906]

My grandparent's next door neighbor was a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima. Even as a young kid, I knew something was wrong with the guy. He was constantly drunk, intense, and a bit of a wild card. Later when I was old my dad told me he witnessed his best friend get shot on Iwo Jima and he told me he hated the Japanese until they day he died. These battles have an affect on lives decades later.

[@bluntcabbage6042]

Pretty much every Iwo Jima vet I've seen and talked to has a rightful burning hatred of the Japanese. Is it uncouth in the modern day? Yes. Do I understand their hatred? Absolutely. It's hard to forgive and forget the things the Japanese did, and the lengths they made the Americans go to in order to win a battle.

[@ScoobyDoo44797]

My Great Uncle Carl Pardo, Corporal 3rd Marine Division, 34th replacement battalion, 21 Marine Regiment was 17 on the island.

[@pattybush1842]

My dad took part in raising the third and final flag on Iwo. He never talked about it but I found that he did in a book I bought on the battle. That flag was raised March 14, 1945. When that flag was raised, the one on Mount Surabachi came down. Tom Bush

[@NSKINGS420]

Thank you all who have fought during this War, I am a 37 yr old Navajo & I cry with you and I understand your pain & strength, nothing but respect and love for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart🙏🏽. My people are the code talkers that helped during this dark time on Earth. I will never forget our history and teach my son about all these courageous Men. Peace be on Earth and may our almighty creator protect us from such events to ever happen🙏🏽🦅

[@supremereader7614]

That was a great documentary, must have been so hard fighting such die-hard people.

[@timstatler7714]

My dad was a bombardier on a B29 that had to crash land on Iwo. If it wasn't for those marines I would not be here.

[@michaelbrown-ub6jr]

About time the battle of Iwo jima was explained like this .Well done.

[@Artur_M.]

I was surprised seeing this notification, thinking you were going to cover the Napoleon's invasion of the Russian Empire in 1812 next but I guess that is the big project, comming in spring, and in the meantime we are getting some extra episodes on other topics.

[@realtimehistory]

Napoleon is preparing to cross the Niemen river. Rumor has it he will do so next Thursday at 5:30pm CET ;)

[@stevengarcia4795]

@@realtimehistory very interesting

[@williamjohn4984]

This is becoming one of my favorite channels.It covers detail of battles and campaigns others dont

[@diogenes5381]

Knew a marine that landed there. He was a machine gunner. I finally got him to tell me what it was like. He said wave after wave of banzai attacks at their position. They were mowed down & dead Japanese bodies were stacked 7& 8 corpses high & they had to climb over their dead comrads to keep coming. He said he remembered the blood mist in the air, body parts flying & gun fire that was a constant blur. I asked him how many did you hit? He said “ all of them ,many many times then he bent over & started crying like a baby. Later he said,I hope the lord forgives me.” I was 11 at the time & cannot forget that day. May his soul Rest In Peace.

[@magr7424]

Very powerful video, well done. One has to admire the Japanese iron hard fighting spirit.. Only few troops in the world could have endured this.. Germans at Monte cassino, Stalingrad or the battle of Caen in Normandy...

[@matthewct8167]

I guess luckily, the Japanese aren’t like this anymore.

[@neggaballs3840]

@@matthewct8167 Lucky for you the Marines still around

[@strikerarmy1145]

@@neggaballs3840 because only the marines can fight Japanese? Doesn’t the US army exist or the Air Force? I don’t really get what your point is

[@emanmccravy5136]

@@matthewct8167 fighting to the death yes they are they may have become more western but they still believe in honor before death

[@matthewct8167]

@@emanmccravy5136 what are you talking about? They are not at all militarized these days. Even with the eagerness of the Abe government and the persistent pressure of the United States, they still haven’t fully revised their pacifist constitution. My previous statement was not to praise the Japanese but rather to show my appreciation for more peaceful times in general.

[@lolrobinchoi]

Incredible video, thank you! Loved hearing the excerpts from the Japanese soldiers.

[@TheOneStoneAngell]

My dad was on Iwo, Paul E. Greenlee 5th Marines, he’s was there for 29 days. I know you had limited time to explain this battle but the fighting was 24 hours a day and the pre bombardment was intense, lasting for months.

[@nedkelly9688]

Lol why you expressing the 24 hours a day.. was like this all over this war. Aussies fought in Papua along Kakoda trail 4000 feet up in snow and knee high mud Hand to hand at times as jungle so thick there was no other way. Japanese shocked at how fearce they fought even when out of ammo and fighting with Bayonets and even just strangling one another. Everyone had it bad but Americans never give Aussies credit where it is due and disrespectful for people like my Grandfather who served in places no American ground force even stepped on to.. but you claim you did..

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

@@nedkelly9688 Nobody asked. There were no Aussies on Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Peleilu, Midway, Manila, or Okinawa. The US singlehandedly defeated Japan. Sit down.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@lelouchvibritannia4028 I am reading a MacArthur book now and when he landed in Australia. he said where is my Army. everyone looked around and said what Army you have 51st Division and 32nd Division and Australian's were it and the famous Australian Rats of Tobruk was his best who were returning from Tobruk. 32ND Division were the USA who deserted during Gona campaign. only got brave to keep fighting when Anzacs turned up to reinforce them. Australia handed Japanese first defeat and stopping their advancement in Milne Bay.Also prove you are wrong since that battle was way before Marines even started at Guadal lol.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@lelouchvibritannia4028 Also loser was Special Z Force the start of Australian SAS who did over 1000 Missions during Pacific Asia war. were no American on Borneo either all Australian. During Gaudal canal several Australian ships were damaged and Canberra sunk and they started the bombing for the Guadal Canal landings. so yea you USA did it all. You are so disrespectful to all who served and hope because of idiots like you BRICS wipes out USD and your country. Hate for USA is building strong lol. And Yanks like you are why.

[@jballssquirrel3324]

One of my new favorite documentary channels I've come across

[@パワハラ上司-p4d]

私の曽祖父も硫黄島の戦いに参加して、そこで戦死したって祖母から聞かされたことがある。 祖母自身はあまり戦争の時の話をするのが好きじゃなかったから、なおのこと印象に残ってる。

[@jamesgilliam5278]

My Dad got a Japanese bayonet in his gut in his 3rd day there. He was 17. He screamed all night when he slept. I remember hearing it every night growing up. I lost him in 2016 at 90 yrs old. I hope I am half the man he was.

[@brianwillaman1776]

This is such a well done documentary. Wow. Great job!

[@the_lazy_historian]

Interesting and very informative. But he forgot to mention that while the ash hindered the Marines advance it also absorbed bullets and shrapnel. So it provided at least a partial tradeoff.

[@climatedeceptionnetwork4122]

I didn't think of that, but I didn't think of the rain mixing with it, either.

[@deanpapadopoulos3314]

The best explanation of what occurred there. Thank you.

[@peace-now]

My mother, as a Red Cross nurse, treated men from Operation Detachment, as they called it. Most of them were suffering from Battle Shock.

[@Henry-dt9ht]

Congratulations you have achieved here a wonderful teaching tool as well as archival source. I am recommending your Channel to teachers and students as an excellent source for a clear and concise historical information. I him now able to have just two or three channels for documentaries of your caliber. I came to your channel by way of Drachinifel and forgotten weapons. I deeply appreciate what you are doing and thank you most sincerely.

[@walterwayne5405]

My father was there as well. Fifth Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment.Fought all 36 days. Always wondered how he walked off that island without any kind of injury.

[@dennisterrell1651]

My dad was as well.

[@fredcollins8919]

I remember going there in December 1992 with part of my battalion. Will never forget that trip/experience......

[@davidcbr0wn]

Best graphics I’ve ever seen tracking a battle.

[@celebrim1]

The truth is that while the casualties Americans sustained were grave from a moral perspective, that is to say any life lost is a tragedy, they were very much light from a military perspective. The Americans attacked a heavily defended hardpoint with a 5:1 advantage in manpower, but inflicted on the enemy greater casualties than they themselves sustained. This was not the result of inferiority of Japanese planning or combat engineering, but the general disregard the Japanese command had for the well-being of its troops. Japanese infantry fighting equipment was markedly inferior despite the fact that the Japanese had enough industry and knowhow before war to make improvements. The Japanese lacked effective machine guns, automatic rifles, and man portable ant-tank weaponry, as well as all sorts of other things great and small that aid a soldier in the performance of his duty. This is largely due to the combination of Japanese disregard for life and the preexisting conviction in Japanese military culture that victory was almost entirely a matter of willpower and resolve. The Japanese high command ultimately didn't consider infantry equipment important because they considered the individual soldier important only in regard to his will to fight. And, while the Japanese soldier had almost unlimited resolve and will to fight, he simply lacked sufficiently effective weaponry to do so. Combined with a Japanese fatalism that saw death as honorable and therefore as an easy escape from any situation where the situation seemed dire, this lead instead of the bravo promise of each soldier killing ten of the enemy, only one in four Japanese soldiers trading his life for one of the enemy - even considering how outnumbered they were, this a terrible rate of exchange for soldiers in such well conceived and constructed defensive positions.

[@ostiariusalpha]

I do not disagree with your main point, but I would like to say that Japanese equipment was usually quite sufficient, with the caveat that they had to be able to supply those weapons. The Type 92 and Type 96 are actually quite nice machine guns, and it was not uncommon for U.S. Marines to use captured ones, which they were often very impressed with. By the time of the Battle of Iwo Jima, the U.S. had command of the sea, so the only ones getting resupplied were the American forces. The banzai charges were slaughters for the Japanese, but when they had no bullets left, that was the only type of offensive action that they had available.

[@samualcrocket1405]

@@destroyerarmor2846 They rose above feudaliam and fighting with each other to create a war machine big enough to conquer most of Asia. They went from bad to worse. It wasn't really an improvement.

[@celebrim1]

@@destroyerarmor2846 The Meiji Restoration is one of the most important and remarkable events in human history, an almost singular reinvention of a people as a modern industrial society after being a backwards feudal society. I would put it to you that there is an African counterexample, equally remarkable though - Seretse Khama 's Botswana.

[@1pcfred]

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

[@jimbeaux89]

Some of the bravest to ever walk this earth. Not just my own beloved Americans, but the Japanese as well.

[@peterjackson7473]

Great work Sir. Thank you for using footage and not animations.

[@briankorbelik2873]

My second Coisin Cpl Joseph Highland served with the 25th Marines, 4th MARDIV on Iwo Jima. He's still there.

[@timengineman2nd714]

One thing not mentioned when talking about Iwo Jima, another two priorities were that the Japanese were not only using it's radar to warn their major Home Islands that raids were inbound, but also launched fighters to go after the B-29s (making them use up precious ammo if they could effect an intercept) going to Japan, but also doing their best to shoot down damaged (battle or mechanical failure) B-29s on the way back to Guam, Saipan, etc.

[@thatguy22441]

The armchair generals try to say it wasn't worth it, but that's simply not true. Many of our casualties were RTD, practically all of the enemy casualties were KIA, permanently lost. Not only were many members of bomber crews saved by using Iwo for emergency landings, it was also a launching point for thousands of air sorties. Fighters would escort the bombers, which meant considerable Japanese losses (both in the air and on the ground; they were escorting bombers) and pilots strafed ground targets on the way back. I don't know the exact numbers, but we most definitely inflicted more damage on the enemy than they did on us, in respect to Iwo Jima.

[@thomaskral5417]

Outstanding! Hope you do one on Okinawa. Would be interested in more on the behind the lines activities, construction, logistics. My Dad was there as an army engineer (aka construction worker). Might have some photos.

[@pseudotatsuya]

USA killed tons of innocent citizens in Okinawa. It won't be interesting at all.

[@RuiWang-zm2ue]

A few decades there may be a documentary titled "Terrible Price For Victory - Why The Battle of the Azovstal Steel Plant Was So Deadly".

[@mortenfrosthansen84]

Another brilliant production, from the guys.. very informative and immersive narration. Great work

[@ULTRAMAGAcultmember]

My uncle John Kendrick was there… a solid Marine to the core! He rarely spoke of it when I was a kid staying with him after school. He once told me that the only skill he ever had was killing. He is gone now, and I often think of him and wish I could talk to him today now that I’m grown. He was a very hard man, GD was every other word out of his mouth. He kept a cooler by his side full of PBR until the day he died.

[@andysims595]

My Dad was there. He was in the Fifth Division. I once asked him about it and all he said was I was a replacement.

[@CesarMartinez-xn8ow]

never seen a video like this well explained as it really happened took me back to college great job love your work.

[@vasilerogojan4520]

The feeling of that battle was that it was the opposite of the battle of Bataan.

[@DaeGonKwon]

Excellent observation. General Wainright had to lead the troops whom were broken, exhausted, lack of supplies. Yet he was able to hold Japanese army in Philippines for 5 months, buying MacArthur a precious time to build defense in Australia and win the war in the pacific.

[@d0ctorstrang448]

My grandfather was a corpsman in the marines for this battle. He was at the bottom the hill for the flag raising, he got shot in the leg saving the life of 3 marines and finally got rescued by an American tank thanks to the underside hatch

[@Cluster-orchestrator]

Amazing battle review and footage. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@lumpylumpy3931]

My great uncle was a survivor of that battle. He said he seen the flag raised up twice and he said he was amongst the men who raised the flag. He didn’t have his hands on it but he was close by. Lui Lumpkin

[@seanrohret9408]

thank you for your service. I'm a 14 year vet. infantryman. ssg. I appreciate your work.

[@fernandollanos6401]

Just finished reading the book on Flags of our fathers. Across the Marine Corps, we are paying tribute to the 3d, 4th, and 5th Marine Division Marines who fought on that small island. It's sad, that our leaders decided to give it back to Japan after costing us so much to take it. I visited the island in 2010. It took me 45 minutes to get up to Suribachi with a 50lbs rucksack. I don't want to ever know what it feels like to climb up an Mt like that while people are shooting at me. Rest in peace Marines!!! and thank you!

[@1pcfred]

What would we want an island like Iwo for? It was just a military objective during the war. Other than that it has no real value.

[@JaMeshuggah]

One of the most terrifying battles I've imagined being in

[@climatedeceptionnetwork4122]

Ditto - Extremely inhumane. I would have passed it up for another strategy.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Why on earth would you waste your time doing that?

[@JaMeshuggah]

@@Firedog-ny3cq durrr you right random KZbinr me no think anymore

[@duaneronan8199]

Excellent. Suggest frequently showing an arrow pointing North on the map.

[@seekingtruth9182]

My great uncle was KIA there. Charles Austin. I never met him. Only through stories do I know him. I think about him often.

[@LA_Viking]

Excellent. Normally when an attempt is made to condense the history of a multi-week battle into a twenty minute "video bite" the effort fails miserably. Not the case here.

[@jimvick8397]

I always wondered if they had done a more extended naval bombardment, if it would have made that much of a difference?

[@jimcox3380]

I think it somewhat analogous to being in a storm shelter during a tornado - the Japanese were in their caves and the bombardment was on the surface. There probably would have had to been a serious breach from above into a critical point in the cave network to have made a real difference.

[@jimvick8397]

Meh, I found the answer to my own question... Apparently big bore naval guns need to have their barrels replaced after 300 shots... So, shelling an island for 10 days becomes unfeasible because you still have Okinawa and potentially mainland shelling that would need to be done in the future... Without replacing all the gun barrels on all the ships in the navy.

[@jimvick8397]

@@Psyminds Thanks for the help, I was so lost without your ridicule...

[@mcjimmy7494]

that star wars theory music at the end be hittin hard

[@acepilotson3331]

My grandfather was there. Was a “tank mechanic” and said he spent most of his time throwing dead Japanese soldiers under the tank tracks to fill in the holes. He received a “bronze star” for helping his other two tankers out of a burning hull.

[@andymclaughlin22]

Sick🤣🤣

[@nedkelly9688]

@@bourbon_sketcher Japanese ate Australian soldiers.. experimented on them. very sick horrors in Australian fighting with them .

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Thanks for sharing this interesting piece of history.

[@jumpinjackflash9235]

My grandfather was there and was wounded within a week, he was also on Guam, Guadalcanal , Samoa,Bougainville with the 3rd division