| Original caption: “Marine Amtracs and Sherman Tanks litter the beaches. These vehicles were victims of the soft volcanic ash and heavy enemy fire. In the distance can be seen part of the vast armada that supported the operation.” Marine Corps amtracs and M4 Sherman medium tanks, blasted by Japanese mines after they bogged down in the soft black volcanic ash of Iwo, litter Blue Beach Number 1, as Marines examine the wreckage for possible salvage. You can see the damage in the bottom of the 2 LVT-4 Amtracs. When Mount Suribachi was scaled, much observation equipment was found, emphasizing the fact that this had been an excellent point of vantage from which hostile observers directed murderous fire against the entire beachhead. All accessible outer and inner slopes were covered as the Marines annihilated enemy snipers and blasted shut the many cave entrances, sealing in an uncounted number of Japanese. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1780.jpg |
| Image Size | 210.14 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1240 x 930 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Acme Photo |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 23, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Iwo Jima |
| Country | Bonins |
| Archive | Pomona College Benton Museum of Art |
| Record Number | P2019.21.478 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database