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Battle of Iwo Jima, 1945 — historical photograph 24.8°N 141.3°E Pacific
1945 · 24.8°N 141.3°E

Battle of Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima, Japan · battle · Pacific

Briefing

Thirty-six days of fighting for eight square miles of volcanic rock, beginning 19 February 1945. The flag-raising on Mount Suribachi on day five became the most famous photograph of the war, but the battle ground on for five more weeks — nearly 7,000 Marines died, and of roughly 21,000 Japanese defenders, almost none surrendered.

Books Covering This Event (6)

Popular History

Strong Men Armed cover
Strong Men Armed Robert Leckie · 1962

The United States Marines against Japan, island by island, by a man who fought as one.

Accessible
Flags of Our Fathers cover
Flags of Our Fathers James Bradley · 2000

The six men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, and the propaganda machine that consumed them.

Accessible
Flyboys cover
Flyboys James Bradley · 2003

The true story of American airmen shot down over Chichi Jima and the atrocities they suffered.

Accessible
Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 cover
Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 Max Hastings · 2007

The brutal final year of the Pacific War, from the Philippines to the atomic bombings.

Intermediate
The Pacific cover
The Pacific Hugh Ambrose · 2010

The official companion to the HBO series, following five men through the island campaigns.

Accessible
Twilight of the Gods cover
Twilight of the Gods Ian Toll · 2020

The final volume of the Pacific War Trilogy: Leyte Gulf, the kamikazes, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the bomb.

Intermediate

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