Battle of Iwo Jima

American History Hit

History Hit

America, History

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

80 years ago, the battle of Iwo Jima came to an end on 26 March 1945. After 36 days of fighting, nearly 7,000 US Marines had been killed and another 20,000 injured.

Don is joined by historian Timothy Heck, naval historian, artillery officer and author of two books on amphibious warfare. They discuss the tactical importance of Iwo Jima, the battle itself and its outcomes, including that famous image of the marines raising the US flag.

Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

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Transcript

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1:02.1	It's February 23rd, 1945. Associated press photographer Joe Rosenthal
1:08.5	hikes to the peak of Mount Surabachi on Iwojima.
1:12.6	At 554 feet, it is the highest point on this island, 750 watery miles from the shores of mainland Japan.
1:20.6	Slogging through deep volcanic ash, Rosenthal hears the occasional distant crack of rifle fire from enemy troops. He is on high
1:29.6	alert for landmines as he passes by defeated gunnering positions along the way. He is following a small
1:36.2	group of U.S. Marines ahead of him. Though Rosenthal may not realize it now, this is a once-in-a-lifetime
1:42.7	photographic opportunity. The soldiers are carrying
1:45.8	an American flag to the heights of Surabachi, and Rosenthal intends to capture it all on film.
1:52.3	At the top, the photographer composes his frame. Six men throw their combined weight into
1:58.0	lifting the flagpole upright upon the jagged ground.
2:01.7	None of the soldiers' faces are visible, but that doesn't matter.
2:05.4	Indeed, it's the point.
2:07.3	The shot symbolizes the selfless spirit required for victory in battle.
2:12.4	Later, the same men will restage the scene for another show, this time using a larger flag.
	...

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