My dad landed in 1st wave and spent the next 27 days in A Company, 27th Marines, 5th Div. He ran across island, with two ex-paramarines, and was at Motoyama 1 airfield in less than an hour after landing. Many painful stories. He was shot (badly) in battle for Kitano Point and then dad spent the next 3.5 years in hospitals (Guam, San Diego, Mpls). He remained disabled for remainder of his mostly happy life. Thank you for telling the story so well.
My grandfather also landed the first afternoon, 5th Pioneers. He was fortunate in that he was physically able to walk to the beach after the last battle at the airfield, but emotionally, he was scarred for the rest of his life.
@@mikelamberth9975 A horrendous melee at the airfield that day. The Pioneers were rampaged but fought heroically and won the day. The adage, “every marine is a rifleman” proved true that day. But at a heavy cost of Pioneers and Airmen.
Four seasons of Unauthorized History of the Pacific War pays tribute to many of our MOH recipients. This is wonderfully scripted as well as discussed. Thanks to all three of you for all your time, studying and being So human and fair. Semper Fidelis, Amigos!
These are the most extraordinary examples of courage I've ever heard. I'm not an American I'm Australian. Am in awe of their gallantry. Am speechless. mind-blowing..
Great show. The casualties on Iwo Jima and Okinawa approached Civil War levels. This was unsustainable. The war had to end. This is one of the facts that are glossed over by revisionist that have decided the Atomic Bombs were unnecessary. I look forward to this discussion.
Check out episode 225 with guest Richard Frank. Overwhelming justification for Truman’s conclusion. No doubt the casualties on both sides at Saipan, Pelilu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and others were monumental factors in the President’s rationale.
If the price of military victory is too steep in lives, its pretty common to negotiate an end to a war. The Soviet entry in the war with minor face saving concessions would have been enough. The idea that enemy resistance is too tough so let's kill their civilians is against what America is supposed to stand for, dont you think?
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Not overwhelming at all. Its just his opinion with the same information available to everyone. Concessions in negotiations coupled with Soviet entry ends the war without them.
@@joeyartkthe Japanese were prepared to go down fighting to the last person or did their fanaticism suddenly go away? The shock of the bombs made them realize they’d be wiped out without the Americans losing anyone
@@andrewpizzino2514 What shock? The bombs caused less damage than several of the firebomb raids. The Japanese plan was to fight until the US would drop the unconditional requirement and get a negotiated peace, which went out the window with Soviet entry. The biggest things the bombs did was give them a face saving excuse.
I was able to meet an Iwo Jima vet around 2008 (50+ years after the battle). I tried asking him about it but he told me "It's still too painful to talk about." Thanks for another excellent episode you guys.
Iwo Jima was the Island of Pain Respect to all the WW2 vets. Respect to my American brothers and sisters that serve the spirit of freedom in all of our unique ways. Respect to the vets and active guys. Im proud to know that we come from greatness. These videos help me to remember. Thankyou Seth Thankyou John Thankyou Captain Bill
37:00 Thing that is rarely mentioned, the tanks on Iwo Jima and especially the POA H1 Flame Thrower Tanks had a water tank and a spigot on the rear of the engine deck to aid the close support infantry, in an environment that lacked any opportunity for necessary fluid relief. The water tank can be seen on the news-real clip of 4th Marine Battalion Tank (marked CO-ED 40) a POA CWS H1 Flame Tank spraying un-ignited flame fuel prior to lighting up a zone. The POA H1 were distributed four to 5th Marines and four to 4th Marines, all had concrete and wood attachments on the sides to deter satchel charge attachment. The 3rd Marine Tank company lacked the POA H1 F.T. and were not equipped with the concrete and wood protection against close in satchel attack. I've never seen a reason why 3rd Marine Tank Company were not modified, I can only think the re-enforcement by the 3rd Marines was a late addition to the order of battle.
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Yep If You-Tube weren't such a pain could put a some photos links to the 4th Marines tanks with details of the water tanks and a faucet. The faucet was next to BC1362 External Interphone box, so possibly the infantry-man directing the fire onto bunkers and caves could take a shot for a shot. As mentioned in the video tanks suffered from minings, there is a photo of the crew of CO-ED looking at their broken tank track, but of the 8 POA H1 Flame tanks on Iwo Jima there were no F.T. tanks permanently knocked out, and no enemy action casualties among the crews. From notes, '3rd Marine Tanks' had six E4-5 auxiliary flamethrowers that they managed to obtain while they were fighting on Guam, but whether they used these weapons on Iwo Jima, I've not been able to confirm. They were unpopular, difficult to service, so probably weren't deployed.
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Oddly enough, the Shermans serving on Iwo were back to the original code function, when first manufactured in 1915 the first "landship" being built of riveted boiler plate looked like large household water storage cisterns, so some bright spark gave it a "cover" of "the Mesopotamian water carrier," = "water tank" so eventually "tank", in effect it was alleged to be a tracked water bowser to supply troops fighting in the desert of Iraq (drinking water from the two rivers was a really bad idea, due to cholera)
Thank you so much for providing us with amazing content each Tuesday for the past 4 seasons. I appreciate the effort and passion from you and your guests! Kind regards from Amsterdam.
BB55, yeah, standing in front of that super firing pair looking aft is absolutely awe inspiring. She is well worth driving out of the way to see. It's apparent that many of her staff have a true love and devotion to this marvelous example of the big gun boats of past glory.
I went there back in 92 and I was in awe when I got out of the car and standing in the parking lot just looking at that Battleship ! I spent 2 days on that ship !
Iwo also provided a foretaste of what invading Japan itself would have cost - being a factor in Truman’s rational justifying his order to deploy the atomics.
Had to look up USS Showboat. Finally realized it's the North Carolina. Toured it several years ago. It is in great shape and well worth the 4 hour visit.
My grandfather was in the 5th Pioneers, fought off the Japanese at the airfield that last morning. Heard the accounts of that last fight from several of his buddies at the 5th division reunion in 1999.
For some reason I couldn't make a comment on the Show Boat video. I visited the ship in 1998 with my brother who lives in Hillsboro. I was struck by two things, the 1.1 inch Chicago piano had been discovered somewhere and had signs of having been used as gunnery training aid and was stashed in a small shack near the ship. It was a bent up rusty wreck covered in active wasp nests. I was very pleased to see that it has been completely restored. Also I couldn't help but notice that the deck planking has been restored too. When I was there, at least 50% of it was filled in with concrete and most of the wood was rotten, the labor they must have through chipping away at all that concrete laying new planking must have been back breaking. I wonder if there's any plans to put the final touch of staining it deck blue...
My thoughts exactly. All these battles are initially conceived in comfortable circumstances by well-fed, clean,educated, even cultured, men. To devolve to this result is proof that we needed and still need a Savior. I've read a lot about the Pacific War, but I am very gripped at the end of these episodes when all the participants have uttered deep sighs, and voices have cracked more than once, some tear or sweat moisture is wiped. All this when no surprises have been forthcoming. When I close one of John Bruning's, or Jim Hornfischer's, or Rick Atkinson's, or John McManus's books, I don't feel the immediate need for a generous bourbon pour. I've been finishing these later and later series at daybreak and am not thinking so much about coffee as some neat whiskey. This "guys in a bar" discussion group format has been more impactful than the most imminent of Robert Sherrod's Frontline dispatches. As I've posted before, I sure miss my parents and their friends. Just bring around them ĥeld gravitas that is missing today. The stuff we find to gripe about, that occupies TV news, is such trivia, and the principals such lightweights that my anxiety increases with each year of life. We are not prepared for the inevitable collisions. We never are. Right, Bill?
Iwo Jima, that tiny island, is without any doubt hollowed ground for both sides. Great job guys. There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell. William Tecumseh Sherman
Private in charge of company, and still in the fight. This is dedication at every heart and level. It is often mentioned about the dedication of the Japanese, I see just as much if not more from the whole Marine Corp, from top to lowest.
History at large owes all three of you a debt of thanks. I had to pause this episode three times as my eyes got so glassy that I needed a break. Very few in the world today can even comprehend this sort of carnage... and sustained courage by so many. Great job in describing it without sobbing. I had a lump in my throat for most of it. God Bless all United States Marines, especially my Uncle Elvis Tucker wounded on Iwo Jima.
Gentlemen, The Americans paid a horrific price in WW@ and no where worse than Iwo Jima. I had no idea of the casualty figures. The Anzacs had some bad numbers in New Guinea and elsewhere but nothing like Iwo Jima.Thank you for your work. The young of all nations should sit down and watch this episode but they probably won't believe what took place. We know it did!
Sorry guys, been out sick. Finality able to watch your episode. I don't miss your episodes. I'm a Navy guy. Marines are badasds. What s#%ht those guys went through. My father in law was at Iwo Jima. He would never talk about it.
Another fantastic episode. Thank you gentlemen. And I believe Gunther has been totally silent through three seasons though we have seen him in the background. So that's a fair few hours of his patience. He got to episode 410 without complaints
50° 27' 0.0036'' N and 30° 31' 23.9988'' E Gents, Well done. Informative and bracing narrative. A sadly sobering waltz down memory lane. Thank you. V/r - IB
Very moving episode. Thank you for mentioning losses on both sides. I was honored to have met several of the US Marines Veterans. They all felt the real heroes are still there v
Gentleman, you continually seem to out do yourselves. This was a great two part video that opens up what others skim over. My grandfather served on the USS Boston. Growing up I we would watch WW2 movies when we stayed over. Particularly I recall "Sands Of Iwo Jima". This was the start my interest in this period of history. There were times I would ask him about his service and what he did during it, he would only say sheepishly that they shot cotton balls. I still do this day do not know for sure his position and only have some of his records and misc papers after he passed away. I miss him. Your channel helps fill in, sometimes tearfully what he may have saw and went through. Thank you.
Brilliant show as usual. Other people say that it was unnecessary and it was used very infrequently as a fighter base. Other islands could have been used maybe. Having sons in their early 20s not one life on that beach was worth a bloody airstrip. Its sickening.
Another excellent discussion, gentlemen. Truly amazing how ferocious the fighting on Iwo was. My uncle was a corpsman with the 3rd Marine Division. He would never talk about his experiences. It turned him into an avowed pacifist. He was very disappointed when I joined the Army in the early 1980s. Despite your vivid descriptions, I can’t even imagine how horrendous this battle was…
That path from combatant to pacifist is common and understandable, but pacifism is a response that only makes wars more likely. It tells future aggressors that they can start a new war someday and count on meeting a weakened and demoralized resistance, which only adds power to a temptation to which the aggressor is only too willing to yield.
@@doverbeachcomber I couldn't agree with you more. I did not experience what my uncle and so many others experienced, but history teaches that pacifism isn't the answer to discouraging war. Those that put aside the sword can still die upon the sword.
Many thanks to the three of you; of my grandfather's 4 landings with the 4th MARDIV, this is the only one he ever mentioned. Not for the combat operations but his appreciation for the Navajo code talkers and just how scary the nights were.
I cannot help but wonder if Admiral Nimitz in retrospect ever really came to regret not jumping past Tarawa and going right to Iwo, allowing Tarawa to starve. Especially since at the time it was suggested there were only 7,000 men who would have been defending the island with far, far fewer fortifications.
I've been binge-watching these superb videos. I've learned an incredible amount of stuff. Two things in particular: MacArthur was criminally egomaniacal, and the blood of both Iwo Jima and Peleliu is at least partly on Nimitz's hands. Even MacArthur ultimately admitted that Peleliu was unnecessary. But Nimitz insisted on Peleliu. Captain Bill said it: Had we bypassed Peleliu and instead attacked Iwo Jima before Kurabayashi built up the defenses and the defending forces, many lives could have been saved. I do tend to agree that Nimitz was generally brilliant, and the U.S. victory in the Pacific War owes a great deal to his strategic and tactical acumen. And while the enmity against MacArthur is justified, I'm glad to see that Seth & Bill pay credit where it's due for his genuine accomplishments, despite his bizarre character deficiencies.
25% of all Blue Ribbons awarded on Iwo Jima. Think of what that ratio entails. Uncommon valor must have been a virtue as ADM Nimitz so eloquently stated. These stories are gripping guys. Thank you.
A few years ago while a docent at a military museum I met a 90-something year old gentleman - he drove himself to the museum and seemed in great shape - wearing his 5th Marine Division hat. I asked him about Iwo and he said he had been a 2nd Lt. there - and had not received a scratch during the battle, while most of his fellow 2nd Lts. were KIA. He was just about to head off to what he said would be the last 5th Div. reunion at Camp Tarawa (Parker Ranch) in Hawaii. A friend from some years back had a father who was a Navy corpsman, also in the 5th, and he *too* had been unscathed at Iwo. Amazing. Friend said the Japanese would learn the corpsman's names/nicknames during a fight, and call to them trying to lure them out of cover. I believe I have seen some rough arithmetic using the number of B-29s that used Iwo as their bingo field, and ignoring what % of these crews would have survived/been rescued from ditching in the ocean instead, the number of lives "saved" was roughly equal to the KIA at Iwo. A relevant point for our team's discussion of "was it worth it?".
Absolutely staggering heroism from incredibly courageous men living in a society with far more individual choice than their enemies. It is extremely valuable for all of us to be informed of this by your excellent presentation. Thank you so much
42:20 Straight from Imperial German Army 1917 defence rulebook. You build your gun/MG bunkers so that enemy cant influence them on direct fire. You counter attack always, always, and immediately. Cooks, horse drivers, clerks, all you can gather together. 2 dozen guys do more 1 hour after lost part of defensive line than battalion attacking 24 hours later. Every minute you let enemy to dig in and reinforce is wasted. You counter attack while they are still winded.
My father played golf with a marine who fought here. I was young enough to caddy for both of them, he talked about all his service but just never about Iwo Jima.
Seth/Bob/Jon. I am a retired Vietnam Marine (not as a grunt, I was a motor transport platoon cmdr out of DongHa). I have followed y'all from the initial episodes and just finished the 2nd Episode on Iwo Jima. Have not had the opportunity to visit there, but ironically my Son has been there multiple times as an EA-6B electronic warfare officer with VAQ-136 as part of CAW-5 in Atsugi in the late 1990's and early 2000's, but that is not the point of this comment. I was supporting Marine Corps vehicle.testing in Marine Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms.in 2001 and would go down to the Palm Springs Air Museum on weekends. In support of your ending comments on Iwo Jima reference "Was it worth it"? I had a USMC shirt one weekend and as I checked in, a older volunteer asked me if I was a Marine. When I replied that I was, he said he needed to shake my hand as he landed his B-29 on Iwo Jima 3 times. I told him "Sir, I wasn't there.". He said it.didn't matter he always shook the hand of any Marine, because he credited the Marine Corps with saving his life and his crews' lives three times. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. Keep up the good work, y'all do a fantastic job. BTW, I am a volunteer tour guide on USS North Carolina and very much appreciate your kind words on a ship that is very much loved, and that is very much the word, by a lot of us here.
Captain, seen photos of you on the USS Cod. Will you be having a special on that tour? Another special you can do is to list all ships named for the Medal of Honor recipients.
Thank y'all for all the episodes to date, I've enjoyed learning the specifics of the many & varied battles throughout the region. Two points about Iwo Jima I'd like to make: - ~20k Japanese killed taking the island, ~20k US casualties, the overwhelming number are US Marines, ~20K UA Army airmen survived missions because their aircraft could land on Iwo Jima. - the USS Cole is named for Sgt Darrell Cole. Though trained as a Bugler at the Field School of Music, he also served as machine gunner on Guadacanal, Kwajalein, Saipan & Tinian, and was killed on Iwo Jima on D Day, 19 Feb 1945. Having been a frustrated field musician myself, I understand him all too well. I'm proud to know that with the right drive and aptitude, any Marine, regardless of MOS, can rise to the occasion and do what's needed. Semper Fi
I don't understand how the Japanese were able to ventilate the tunnels. There are many stories from Marines that the sand was too hot to sit on top of it. and how did they store their food and water below? It is is almost inconceivable.
Thank you to all 3 of you for being willinhg to create this podcast. In high school, my best friends father fought in Iwo. The only reason I found that out, is that I spent the weekend with his family once. His father woke up yelling and screaming in the middle of the night. My friend quietly told me to stay in bed and let his mother deal with his father, as she was the only one that could safely approach him when he woke up like that. My friend was a black belt and didn't date to approach his father in the middle of the night.!!!
Thank you these Iwo Jima episodes (well all of them). I’ve listened to both episodes multiple times already. A brutal battle and every episode makes me more grateful to those braves boys who fought for us.
Germans were also known to counter attack fast and always. Finns are initially trained by Imperial German Army. We follow this principle to this day. You always counter-attack on winded and depleted attacker. We Finns developed tactics to force march or ski through woods, and attack on flank or behind of enemy. You stop Finns advancing, and within 10 minutes we are going for your flank. Now we have hundreds of Bandwagons that can go through swamp at 40 km/h that would drown man on 2 feet, or go through 6 feet of snow. Norwegians had surplus of BVs in 2000s during their defence cuts. Instead wasting defence capability, they sold them to Finns at price of song. Bit earlier Sweden sold us almost 150 MT-LBs, part of them arctic/swamp variants for less than cheapest Kia. Our neigbours know where hardware is put to good use. Russia won't want issues with Finland. They know us extremely well through years of warfare. And our western neighbours know that too.
Seth, Bill and Jon great job as per usual. While you are presenting your history of these iconic battles, you make it feel as if we are there too. Keep up your great work.
The Captain is absolutely correct in asserting that "no one who has been in the navy will be surprised by this". During the initial push into Iraq in 2003, one of my mechanics (CM) was a Trauma Nurse at Balboa Naval Hospital in civilian life. Thanks for the memory, The Old Seabee Chief
Each of you three gentlemen brought unique facts and insights into this discussion of Iwo Jima. It is sad that the men of both nations had to die for this island. I never knew of Admiral Spruance's recommendations to have taken the island much earlier until now. It proves that Admiral Nimitz was not always perfect in his decisions during the war, but then who are we to judge who did not bare the burden of command that he did at the time? Hindsight may be 20/20 but such prescience was unavailable to those leaders during the war. God bless the U.S. Marines always.
My dad landed in 1st wave and spent the next 27 days in A Company, 27th Marines, 5th Div.
He ran across island, with two ex-paramarines, and was at Motoyama 1 airfield in less than an hour after landing. Many painful stories. He was shot (badly) in battle for Kitano Point and then dad spent the next 3.5 years in hospitals (Guam, San Diego, Mpls). He remained disabled for remainder of his mostly happy life. Thank you for telling the story so well.
Thanks for telling us your dad's story. You mentioned Mpls. Is he buried at Ft. Snelling?
@@Bob.W.
Bob, yes; my dad is buried at Fort Snelling. My family lived < 1-mile from the fort. It’s home to us.
@thomasvesely4212 thanks for the response. We buried my uncle there about 2 years ago. He was in the 11th Airborne.
My grandfather also landed the first afternoon, 5th Pioneers. He was fortunate in that he was physically able to walk to the beach after the last battle at the airfield, but emotionally, he was scarred for the rest of his life.
@@mikelamberth9975 A horrendous melee at the airfield that day. The Pioneers were rampaged but fought heroically and won the day. The adage, “every marine is a rifleman” proved true that day. But at a heavy cost of Pioneers and Airmen.
Best history documentary, thanks from Honiara, Guadalcanal. Solomon Islands
Hello Guadalcanal from Texas! I have always wanted to visit.
Four seasons of Unauthorized History of the Pacific War pays tribute to many of our MOH recipients. This is wonderfully scripted as well as discussed.
Thanks to all three of you for all your time, studying and being
So human and fair.
Semper Fidelis, Amigos!
These are the most extraordinary examples of courage I've ever heard. I'm not an American I'm Australian. Am in awe of their gallantry. Am speechless. mind-blowing..
The episodes pay homage to the Aussies Kiwis, Dutch, and British.
We Americans tend to forget they fought and died alongside our fathers.
The Kokoda Track, The Battle of Buna-Gona, and others come to mind.
The battle of Brisbane
Great show. The casualties on Iwo Jima and Okinawa approached Civil War levels. This was unsustainable. The war had to end. This is one of the facts that are glossed over by revisionist that have decided the Atomic Bombs were unnecessary. I look forward to this discussion.
Check out episode 225 with guest Richard Frank.
Overwhelming justification for Truman’s conclusion. No doubt the casualties on both sides at Saipan, Pelilu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and others were monumental factors in the President’s rationale.
If the price of military victory is too steep in lives, its pretty common to negotiate an end to a war. The Soviet entry in the war with minor face saving concessions would have been enough. The idea that enemy resistance is too tough so let's kill their civilians is against what America is supposed to stand for, dont you think?
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Not overwhelming at all. Its just his opinion with the same information available to everyone. Concessions in negotiations coupled with Soviet entry ends the war without them.
@@joeyartkthe Japanese were prepared to go down fighting to the last person or did their fanaticism suddenly go away? The shock of the bombs made them realize they’d be wiped out without the Americans losing anyone
@@andrewpizzino2514 What shock? The bombs caused less damage than several of the firebomb raids. The Japanese plan was to fight until the US would drop the unconditional requirement and get a negotiated peace, which went out the window with Soviet entry. The biggest things the bombs did was give them a face saving excuse.
I was able to meet an Iwo Jima vet around 2008 (50+ years after the battle). I tried asking him about it but he told me "It's still too painful to talk about."
Thanks for another excellent episode you guys.
1:41:22 Baron Nishi won the Gold medal in the Equestrian event for Japan in the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles.
To this end? How awful. Government failings combined with dark human nature are totally involved in these collisions and waste.
Thank you Seth, Bill, John and Gunther!
35k+ subscribers! I remember when it was like 650 when I started watching!
Iwo Jima was the Island of Pain
Respect to all the WW2 vets. Respect to my American brothers and sisters that serve the spirit of freedom in all of our unique ways. Respect to the vets and active guys. Im proud to know that we come from greatness. These videos help me to remember.
Thankyou Seth
Thankyou John
Thankyou Captain Bill
Never been so glad to have seen anything on TH-cam so soon
With thanks from New Zealand
Uncommon valor was a common virtue
Watched the episode on "The Showboat".....it was awesome! Vaca trip this fall is now planned....//
37:00 Thing that is rarely mentioned, the tanks on Iwo Jima and especially the POA H1 Flame Thrower Tanks had a water tank and a spigot on the rear of the engine deck to aid the close support infantry, in an environment that lacked any opportunity for necessary fluid relief. The water tank can be seen on the news-real clip of 4th Marine Battalion Tank (marked CO-ED 40) a POA CWS H1 Flame Tank spraying un-ignited flame fuel prior to lighting up a zone.
The POA H1 were distributed four to 5th Marines and four to 4th Marines, all had concrete and wood attachments on the sides to deter satchel charge attachment. The 3rd Marine Tank company lacked the POA H1 F.T. and were not equipped with the concrete and wood protection against close in satchel attack. I've never seen a reason why 3rd Marine Tank Company were not modified, I can only think the re-enforcement by the 3rd Marines was a late addition to the order of battle.
So the tanks were a water source for the grunts who protected them?!?!😳
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Yep If You-Tube weren't such a pain could put a some photos links to the 4th Marines tanks with details of the water tanks and a faucet. The faucet was next to BC1362 External Interphone box, so possibly the infantry-man directing the fire onto bunkers and caves could take a shot for a shot. As mentioned in the video tanks suffered from minings, there is a photo of the crew of CO-ED looking at their broken tank track, but of the 8 POA H1 Flame tanks on Iwo Jima there were no F.T. tanks permanently knocked out, and no enemy action casualties among the crews.
From notes, '3rd Marine Tanks' had six E4-5 auxiliary flamethrowers that they managed to obtain while they were fighting on Guam, but whether they used these weapons on Iwo Jima, I've not been able to confirm. They were unpopular, difficult to service, so probably weren't deployed.
Thanks for your insight
@@CarlBartlett-g4c Oddly enough, the Shermans serving on Iwo were back to the original code function, when first manufactured in 1915 the first "landship" being built of riveted boiler plate looked like large household water storage cisterns, so some bright spark gave it a "cover" of "the Mesopotamian water carrier," = "water tank" so eventually "tank", in effect it was alleged to be a tracked water bowser to supply troops fighting in the desert of Iraq (drinking water from the two rivers was a really bad idea, due to cholera)
Thank you so much for providing us with amazing content each Tuesday for the past 4 seasons. I appreciate the effort and passion from you and your guests! Kind regards from Amsterdam.
That's cool. They are a perfect team. See Episode 123, The Night the Giants Rode...into Ironbottom Sound.
Howdy from North Central Arkansas .
BB55, yeah, standing in front of that super firing pair looking aft is absolutely awe inspiring. She is well worth driving out of the way to see. It's apparent that many of her staff have a true love and devotion to this marvelous example of the big gun boats of past glory.
I went there back in 92 and I was in awe when I got out of the car and standing in the parking lot just looking at that Battleship ! I spent 2 days on that ship !
So proud of my Marine brethren, so proud to be an American. They don't make many men like that anymore.
Actually they do, they serve silently.
Iwo also provided a foretaste of what invading Japan itself would have cost - being a factor in Truman’s rational justifying his order to deploy the atomics.
Fantastic job! Tears! Every one on Earth should hear this! These were men! On both sides!
I'm speechless. Forever proud and grateful. Never to be forgotton, these young men who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Had to look up USS Showboat. Finally realized it's the North Carolina. Toured it several years ago. It is in great shape and well worth the 4 hour visit.
How the hell am I first? I always forget that these beauties are coming and then they come. I don’t even have popcorn ready
Whiskey is more appropriate.
I’m already well on it brother
My grandfather was in the 5th Pioneers, fought off the Japanese at the airfield that last morning. Heard the accounts of that last fight from several of his buddies at the 5th division reunion in 1999.
The North Carolina is beaufull and well kept. Thanks for bringing it to attention. Greatly enjoy your channel
For some reason I couldn't make a comment on the Show Boat video. I visited the ship in 1998 with my brother who lives in Hillsboro. I was struck by two things, the 1.1 inch Chicago piano had been discovered somewhere and had signs of having been used as gunnery training aid and was stashed in a small shack near the ship. It was a bent up rusty wreck covered in active wasp nests. I was very pleased to see that it has been completely restored. Also I couldn't help but notice that the deck planking has been restored too. When I was there, at least 50% of it was filled in with concrete and most of the wood was rotten, the labor they must have through chipping away at all that concrete laying new planking must have been back breaking. I wonder if there's any plans to put the final touch of staining it deck blue...
Visited her many times while a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune 1982-1986!!
Two hours, what a treat. And Seth's big puppy deserves all the treats and walks. He is a sweet and beautiful boy
Your episodes just keep getting better and better . Having John is always a treat. Thank you truly.
What a horrible nightmare. No person should have to go through this. God bless all.
My thoughts exactly. All these battles are initially conceived in comfortable circumstances by well-fed, clean,educated, even cultured, men. To devolve to this result is proof that we needed and still need a Savior. I've read a lot about the Pacific War, but I am very gripped at the end of these episodes when all the participants have uttered deep sighs, and voices have cracked more than once, some tear or sweat moisture is wiped. All this when no surprises have been forthcoming. When I close one of John Bruning's, or Jim Hornfischer's, or Rick Atkinson's, or John McManus's books, I don't feel the immediate need for a generous bourbon pour. I've been finishing these later and later series at daybreak and am not thinking so much about coffee as some neat whiskey. This "guys in a bar" discussion group format has been more impactful than the most imminent of Robert Sherrod's Frontline dispatches.
As I've posted before, I sure miss my parents and their friends. Just bring around them ĥeld gravitas that is missing today. The stuff we find to gripe about, that occupies TV news, is such trivia, and the principals such lightweights that my anxiety increases with each year of life. We are not prepared for the inevitable collisions. We never are. Right, Bill?
Iwo Jima, that tiny island, is without any doubt hollowed ground for both sides. Great job guys.
There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell.
William Tecumseh Sherman
Private in charge of company, and still in the fight. This is dedication at every heart and level. It is often mentioned about the dedication of the Japanese, I see just as much if not more from the whole Marine Corp, from top to lowest.
History at large owes all three of you a debt of thanks. I had to pause this episode three times as my eyes got so glassy that I needed a break. Very few in the world today can even comprehend this sort of carnage... and sustained courage by so many. Great job in describing it without sobbing. I had a lump in my throat for most of it. God Bless all United States Marines, especially my Uncle Elvis Tucker wounded on Iwo Jima.
Love it......posted up at zero dark hundred, Good Morning Seth and Skipper Toti!!! and Jonny,,,safe travels Jon and Bill....
Gentlemen,
The Americans paid a horrific price in WW@ and no where worse than Iwo Jima. I had no idea of the casualty figures. The Anzacs had some bad numbers in New Guinea and elsewhere but nothing like Iwo Jima.Thank you for your work. The young of all nations should sit down and watch this episode but they probably won't believe what took place. We know it did!
Sorry guys, been out sick. Finality able to watch your episode. I don't miss your episodes.
I'm a Navy guy. Marines are badasds. What s#%ht those guys went through. My father in law was at Iwo Jima. He would never talk about it.
Thank you for your time and effort. Excellent podcast as always!
Another great episode guys. Thank you
Thank you for spending allot of time trying to make us understand the Japanese side of the battle.
Another fantastic episode. Thank you gentlemen.
And I believe Gunther has been totally silent through three seasons though we have seen him in the background. So that's a fair few hours of his patience. He got to episode 410 without complaints
Good morning from SC! Iwo!!!
50° 27' 0.0036'' N and 30° 31' 23.9988'' E
Gents,
Well done. Informative and bracing narrative. A sadly sobering waltz down memory lane.
Thank you.
V/r - IB
Very moving episode. Thank you for mentioning losses on both sides. I was honored to have met several of the US Marines Veterans. They all felt the real heroes are still there v
Gentleman, you continually seem to out do yourselves. This was a great two part video that opens up what others skim over. My grandfather served on the USS Boston. Growing up I we would watch WW2 movies when we stayed over. Particularly I recall "Sands Of Iwo Jima". This was the start my interest in this period of history.
There were times I would ask him about his service and what he did during it, he would only say sheepishly that they shot cotton balls. I still do this day do not know for sure his position and only have some of his records and misc papers after he passed away. I miss him.
Your channel helps fill in, sometimes tearfully what he may have saw and went through.
Thank you.
Brilliant show as usual. Other people say that it was unnecessary and it was used very infrequently as a fighter base. Other islands could have been used maybe. Having sons in their early 20s not one life on that beach was worth a bloody airstrip. Its sickening.
That’s war, it’s a terrible waste of human life.
Thanks! 1:36:40 All those "not combat aircraft."
They truly are the greatest generation
Another excellent discussion, gentlemen. Truly amazing how ferocious the fighting on Iwo was. My uncle was a corpsman with the 3rd Marine Division. He would never talk about his experiences. It turned him into an avowed pacifist. He was very disappointed when I joined the Army in the early 1980s. Despite your vivid descriptions, I can’t even imagine how horrendous this battle was…
That path from combatant to pacifist is common and understandable, but pacifism is a response that only makes wars more likely. It tells future aggressors that they can start a new war someday and count on meeting a weakened and demoralized resistance, which only adds power to a temptation to which the aggressor is only too willing to yield.
@@doverbeachcomber I couldn't agree with you more. I did not experience what my uncle and so many others experienced, but history teaches that pacifism isn't the answer to discouraging war. Those that put aside the sword can still die upon the sword.
Many thanks to the three of you; of my grandfather's 4 landings with the 4th MARDIV, this is the only one he ever mentioned. Not for the combat operations but his appreciation for the Navajo code talkers and just how scary the nights were.
You guys always hit it out of the park, but this one smashed windshields two blocks away…..this former Marine tanker says Semper Fi and Bravo Zulu!!
I cannot help but wonder if Admiral Nimitz in retrospect ever really came to regret not jumping past Tarawa and going right to Iwo, allowing Tarawa to starve. Especially since at the time it was suggested there were only 7,000 men who would have been defending the island with far, far fewer fortifications.
Great stuff. Things done beyond the scope of current political consciousness. Not suckers. Not losers. Just citizen soldiers doing their duty.
Thank you.
I've been binge-watching these superb videos. I've learned an incredible amount of stuff. Two things in particular: MacArthur was criminally egomaniacal, and the blood of both Iwo Jima and Peleliu is at least partly on Nimitz's hands. Even MacArthur ultimately admitted that Peleliu was unnecessary. But Nimitz insisted on Peleliu. Captain Bill said it: Had we bypassed Peleliu and instead attacked Iwo Jima before Kurabayashi built up the defenses and the defending forces, many lives could have been saved.
I do tend to agree that Nimitz was generally brilliant, and the U.S. victory in the Pacific War owes a great deal to his strategic and tactical acumen. And while the enmity against MacArthur is justified, I'm glad to see that Seth & Bill pay credit where it's due for his genuine accomplishments, despite his bizarre character deficiencies.
Amazing the courage and Valor by the Marines in this battle and in the Pacific as a whole.
It’s pretty damn monumental
Morning gentlemen.
25% of all Blue Ribbons awarded on Iwo Jima. Think of what that ratio entails. Uncommon valor must have been a virtue as ADM Nimitz so eloquently stated. These stories are gripping guys. Thank you.
A few years ago while a docent at a military museum I met a 90-something year old gentleman - he drove himself to the museum and seemed in great shape - wearing his 5th Marine Division hat. I asked him about Iwo and he said he had been a 2nd Lt. there - and had not received a scratch during the battle, while most of his fellow 2nd Lts. were KIA. He was just about to head off to what he said would be the last 5th Div. reunion at Camp Tarawa (Parker Ranch) in Hawaii.
A friend from some years back had a father who was a Navy corpsman, also in the 5th, and he *too* had been unscathed at Iwo. Amazing. Friend said the Japanese would learn the corpsman's names/nicknames during a fight, and call to them trying to lure them out of cover.
I believe I have seen some rough arithmetic using the number of B-29s that used Iwo as their bingo field, and ignoring what % of these crews would have survived/been rescued from ditching in the ocean instead, the number of lives "saved" was roughly equal to the KIA at Iwo. A relevant point for our team's discussion of "was it worth it?".
35K subs???? Almost criminal. Great job gentlemen!
Absolutely staggering heroism from incredibly courageous men living in a society with far more individual choice than their enemies. It is extremely valuable for all of us to be informed of this by your excellent presentation. Thank you so much
Thank you.
42:20 Straight from Imperial German Army 1917 defence rulebook. You build your gun/MG bunkers so that enemy cant influence them on direct fire. You counter attack always, always, and immediately. Cooks, horse drivers, clerks, all you can gather together. 2 dozen guys do more 1 hour after lost part of defensive line than battalion attacking 24 hours later. Every minute you let enemy to dig in and reinforce is wasted. You counter attack while they are still winded.
Thank you for your research, analysis and presentation. Excellent work.
Thanks for the great presentation on Iwo most Americans unfortunately have no idea today.
An epic podcast of an epic battle. RIP the fallen Marines and those who carried this war in their minds for years afterwards.
Great show fellas 🇺🇲
Most excellent gentlemen
My father played golf with a marine who fought here. I was young enough to caddy for both of them, he talked about all his service but just never about Iwo Jima.
another outstanding effort!
Dangit, forgot it was Unauthorized Teusday, tuning in late...
Seth/Bob/Jon. I am a retired Vietnam Marine (not as a grunt, I was a motor transport platoon cmdr out of DongHa). I have followed y'all from the initial episodes and just finished the 2nd Episode on Iwo Jima. Have not had the opportunity to visit there, but ironically my Son has been there multiple times as an EA-6B electronic warfare officer with VAQ-136 as part of CAW-5 in Atsugi in the late 1990's and early 2000's, but that is not the point of this comment.
I was supporting Marine Corps vehicle.testing in Marine Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms.in 2001 and would go down to the Palm Springs Air Museum on weekends. In support of your ending comments on Iwo Jima reference "Was it worth it"?
I had a USMC shirt one weekend and as I checked in, a older volunteer asked me if I was a Marine. When I replied that I was, he said he needed to shake my hand as he landed his B-29 on Iwo Jima 3 times. I told him "Sir, I wasn't there.". He said it.didn't matter he always shook the hand of any Marine, because he credited the Marine Corps with saving his life and his crews' lives three times. Was it worth it? Yes, it was.
Keep up the good work, y'all do a fantastic job. BTW, I am a volunteer tour guide on USS North Carolina and very much appreciate your kind words on a ship that is very much loved, and that is very much the word, by a lot of us here.
Squad Leader! Love that game. Great episode.
I think it has to be remembered that the Navy was aslo under attack at Iwo with the Bismark Sea sunk
Captain, seen photos of you on the USS Cod. Will you be having a special on that tour? Another special you can do is to list all ships named for the Medal of Honor recipients.
Its an honor to be able to see and hear your wonderful presentation. Thank you for sharing.
Thank y'all for all the episodes to date, I've enjoyed learning the specifics of the many & varied battles throughout the region.
Two points about Iwo Jima I'd like to make:
- ~20k Japanese killed taking the island, ~20k US casualties, the overwhelming number are US Marines, ~20K UA Army airmen survived missions because their aircraft could land on Iwo Jima.
- the USS Cole is named for Sgt Darrell Cole. Though trained as a Bugler at the Field School of Music, he also served as machine gunner on Guadacanal, Kwajalein, Saipan & Tinian, and was killed on Iwo Jima on D Day, 19 Feb 1945. Having been a frustrated field musician myself, I understand him all too well. I'm proud to know that with the right drive and aptitude, any Marine, regardless of MOS, can rise to the occasion and do what's needed. Semper Fi
What a great two episodes, gotta love those marines.from a us army guy.
Thanks!
I don't understand how the Japanese were able to ventilate the tunnels. There are many stories from Marines that the sand was too hot to sit on top of it. and how did they store their food and water below? It is is almost inconceivable.
Iwo Jima docent parody: Welcome to Dismal-land, The Tragic Kingdom. You guys have taught me much, and I'm much obliged.
As always fabulous episode gentlemen!!
Another stellar show guys! I can picture the battle just from your great narration of the events just by listening which is something to be said.
Just when I think you guys cant get any better, you go and prove me wrong. Superb episode. Thank you for the great work you do!
Excellent show. Do you think you could do an episode on the Port Chicago explosion? Very tragic incident that is little talked about.
Thank you to all 3 of you for being willinhg to create this podcast. In high school, my best friends father fought in Iwo. The only reason I found that out, is that I spent the weekend with his family once. His father woke up yelling and screaming in the middle of the night. My friend quietly told me to stay in bed and let his mother deal with his father, as she was the only one that could safely approach him when he woke up like that. My friend was a black belt and didn't date to approach his father in the middle of the night.!!!
Great episode, but also humbling
Thank you these Iwo Jima episodes (well all of them). I’ve listened to both episodes multiple times already. A brutal battle and every episode makes me more grateful to those braves boys who fought for us.
Germans were also known to counter attack fast and always. Finns are initially trained by Imperial German Army. We follow this principle to this day. You always counter-attack on winded and depleted attacker. We Finns developed tactics to force march or ski through woods, and attack on flank or behind of enemy. You stop Finns advancing, and within 10 minutes we are going for your flank. Now we have hundreds of Bandwagons that can go through swamp at 40 km/h that would drown man on 2 feet, or go through 6 feet of snow. Norwegians had surplus of BVs in 2000s during their defence cuts. Instead wasting defence capability, they sold them to Finns at price of song. Bit earlier Sweden sold us almost 150 MT-LBs, part of them arctic/swamp variants for less than cheapest Kia. Our neigbours know where hardware is put to good use. Russia won't want issues with Finland. They know us extremely well through years of warfare. And our western neighbours know that too.
Great episode, thank you for highlighting these accounts of heroism amidst one of the most brutal battles of the entire war.
I got to know Woody Williams in connection with a gold star memorial in West Palm Beach Florida. He was wonderful with the gold star family members.
Seth, Bill and Jon great job as per usual. While you are presenting your history of these iconic battles, you make it feel as if we are there too. Keep up your great work.
The Captain is absolutely correct in asserting that "no one who has been in the navy will be surprised by this". During the initial push into Iraq in 2003, one of my mechanics (CM) was a Trauma Nurse at Balboa Naval Hospital in civilian life. Thanks for the memory, The Old Seabee Chief
This channel's opening theme music is beautiful.
Written by a British man of Japanese descent!
I would surmise that Macarthur was mostly responsible for the slower than necessary Central Pacific push, including the Palau operation. Nuff said.
Great job guys keep it up I love listening to your shows. I put it on while doing chores and such around the house.
Great podcast, thank you
Thank you Bill Seth and Jon.
Amen to joining the Corps for the uniform! That and the prestige was one of my top reasons too.
Each of you three gentlemen brought unique facts and insights into this discussion of Iwo Jima. It is sad that the men of both nations had to die for this island. I never knew of Admiral Spruance's recommendations to have taken the island much earlier until now. It proves that Admiral Nimitz was not always perfect in his decisions during the war, but then who are we to judge who did not bare the burden of command that he did at the time? Hindsight may be 20/20 but such prescience was unavailable to those leaders during the war. God bless the U.S. Marines always.
Still fantastic!
Another stellar episode, guys!!
Great show gentlemen.
Not many places get called "God forsaken" and "hallowed ground" at the same time.