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IPTC: Caption
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The hand of a Japanese soldier killed by a bomb blast is seen in the rubble which covered the island. Note the fly on his finger. One of the most controversial elements of the Iwo Jima invasion was the extent of the pre-landing bombardment. Preliminary air bombardment of Iwo Jima was delivered by heavy bombers operating from the Marianas bases. B-24 Liberators bombed for 70 consecutive days, releasing at 18000-20000 feet (5500-6100 meters) usually against antiaircraft fire. Once or twice a group of B-29 Superfortresses assisted. The prolonged aerial bombardment of Iwo Jima had no effect in the reduction of well prepared and heavily fortified defensive installations. The Japanese estimated that 40 percent of the bombs missed the island completely. Direct air support operations against Iwo Jima began on D-3 (February 16, 1945) with the arrival of Task Forces 52, consisting of nine to eleven escort carriers. Marine commanders had requested ten days of preliminary shelling. 5th Fleet commander US Navy Admiral Raymond A. Spruance did not permit such a long bombardment, believing incorrectly that months of constant attacks had degraded enemy defenses. He allowed only three days for the task, and denied the Marines' pleas for more. Task Force 54, consisting of six battleships (Arkansas (BB-33), New York (BB-34), Texas (BB-35), Nevada (BB-36), Idaho (BB-42) and Tennessee (BB-43)), five cruisers (Pensacola (CA-24), Salt Lake City (CA-24), Chester (CA-27), Tuscaloosa (CA-37) and Vicksburg (CL-87)) and many destroyers participated. Japanese efforts to return fire pointed out the location of previously concealed pillboxes and other defenses. 700 fortified positions had been identified, and all could not be dealt with in the remaining time. On February 18 fire was concentrated on the landing beach areas and the adjacent heights. On D-Day three more battleships (North Carolina (BB-55), Washington (BB-56) and West Virginia (BB-48)) arrived; three additional cruisers (Indianapolis
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IPTC: Copyright Notice
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Caption ©2007 MFA Productions LLC
Image in the Public Domain
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