The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945, and was among the bloodiest engagements of the entire Pacific War. The volcanic island — only eight square miles — was defended by over 20,000 Japanese troops dug into an elaborate network of tunnels, bunkers, and fortified positions. The U.S. Marines suffered nearly 27,000 casualties taking it. The Navy provided the preliminary bombardment, close air support from fast carriers, and the amphibious lift that put three Marine divisions ashore. The capture of Iwo Jima’s airfields provided emergency landing strips for B-29s returning from bombing raids on Japan and a fighter base within range of the Japanese home islands. The April 1945 issue of All Hands covered the battle just concluded, including the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi, in five pages.
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