Iwo Jima Animated - Part 1, D-DAY

Summary by Krater

This video details the historical tactical errors and intense combat of the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, focusing on the amphibious landings and the intense resistance faced by the US Marines against heavily fortified Japanese positions.

From the video

Answers: Why didn't the naval barrage work on Iwo Jima?

• Battle of Iwo Jima
• World War II military strategy
• Amphibious landing operations
• Naval bombardment effectiveness
• Japanese defensive fortifications
• US Marine Corps combat tactics

What it concludes

• The 10-day naval bombardment requested by General Smith was cut down to just three days due to naval reluctance.
• Poor weather hampered the bombardment by preventing reconnaissance aircraft from relaying accurate target coordinates.
• American planners significantly underestimated Japanese troop strength, estimating 12,000 defenders when there were actually 22,000.
• Concealed gun positions and underground tunnels allowed Japanese defenders to minimize casualties from naval shelling and ambush landing forces.
• The first battalion suffered 86 percent casualties on D-Day, with 750 men killed or wounded.