Its also worth reading Kurobayashi’s biography ‘So sad to die in battle’. Those were the opening words of his final message from iwo jima - the first time a japanese general had ever expressed sadness about the deaths of his men and instantly censored by the japanese high command. A fact not revealed for almost 30 years. Kurobayashi was easily the best of japan’s army commanders and he revolutionised the japanese tactics. Unfortunately, kurobayashi’s revolution in tactics was intended to go with a revolution in strategy - a negotiated peace. The japanese high command took his tactics and applied them on Okinawa but rejected his proposed strategy (which fought its way up to the emperor via convoluted channels). The result was the exact opposite of what kurobayashi had intended. The US commanders at iwo jima were so impressed with kurobayashi they made extensive efforts to find his body in order to honour him with a proper military funeral. However, he led the final attack on the airfield (cintrary to what this video suggests this was NOT a banzai attack - kurobayashi forbade them. The attack was aimed very precisely at key parts of the US airfield and positions and installations around the airfield) and his body was never found. Contrary to what this video says it IS known that kurobayashi led that attack - japanese survivors, and there were actually quite a lot of them, attested to that, describing kurobayashi as looking very old (he was in his 50s) and very unwell. You cannot fully understand iwo jima, okinawa, and nagasaki and hiroshima without understanding kurobayashi and his thinking and influence on these battles. Its worth pointing out that kurobayashi’s defence in depth was partially adopted on peleliu but there was not enough time to switch the peleliu defence from the shoreline to a full defence in depth. Even so, kurobayashi’s partially implemented tactics had a profound impact on peleliu and created the heavy US casualties there.
If I remember correctly, General Kuribayashi told his men they were not allowed to die unless they had killed ten Marines. The heroism on both sides was almost beyond belief. Admiral Chester Nimitz said of the Marines, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." The same could be said of the defenders. Nearly to the man they stood their ground despite being so overwhelmingly outmanned and outgunned.
I am so glad.. I found myself in this community... Thanks for accepting my subscriptions ..I saw several historical coverages about the Ewi jema invading by USA marine divisions during WW2 but not such as this clearly explaining...really kuribayashi planning caused huge casualties for USA marine troops
Mt. Suribachi I believe that I told you before that Uncle Joe and his friend was one of the first to land and made it to the Flag area I would have to go get his diary and see how many days it took. Luckily after being wounded after the flag raising he was in ( 2nd guy from left on the second or bottom row). He was the only one of All the relatives that I had in the war he was the only one who was going to talk about it. I would like to write you a letter someday from the little man who was in the flag raising to all the other battles he participated in before he got home and was hit by a drunk driver and passed away from the injuries. He was the youngest of seven children who came from the farm.
So why bring up the Soviets? The arrogance of it. The phot on Iwo Jima was staged and photographed, the Soviets did just did a classic illustration. Neither Country actually invented this classic propaganda pose.
*Letters from Iwo Jima*
Best WWII movie.
Its also worth reading Kurobayashi’s biography ‘So sad to die in battle’. Those were the opening words of his final message from iwo jima - the first time a japanese general had ever expressed sadness about the deaths of his men and instantly censored by the japanese high command. A fact not revealed for almost 30 years. Kurobayashi was easily the best of japan’s army commanders and he revolutionised the japanese tactics.
Unfortunately, kurobayashi’s revolution in tactics was intended to go with a revolution in strategy - a negotiated peace. The japanese high command took his tactics and applied them on Okinawa but rejected his proposed strategy (which fought its way up to the emperor via convoluted channels). The result was the exact opposite of what kurobayashi had intended.
The US commanders at iwo jima were so impressed with kurobayashi they made extensive efforts to find his body in order to honour him with a proper military funeral. However, he led the final attack on the airfield (cintrary to what this video suggests this was NOT a banzai attack - kurobayashi forbade them. The attack was aimed very precisely at key parts of the US airfield and positions and installations around the airfield) and his body was never found. Contrary to what this video says it IS known that kurobayashi led that attack - japanese survivors, and there were actually quite a lot of them, attested to that, describing kurobayashi as looking very old (he was in his 50s) and very unwell.
You cannot fully understand iwo jima, okinawa, and nagasaki and hiroshima without understanding kurobayashi and his thinking and influence on these battles. Its worth pointing out that kurobayashi’s defence in depth was partially adopted on peleliu but there was not enough time to switch the peleliu defence from the shoreline to a full defence in depth. Even so, kurobayashi’s partially implemented tactics had a profound impact on peleliu and created the heavy US casualties there.
If I remember correctly, General Kuribayashi told his men they were not allowed to die unless they had killed ten Marines. The heroism on both sides was almost beyond belief. Admiral Chester Nimitz said of the Marines, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." The same could be said of the defenders. Nearly to the man they stood their ground despite being so overwhelmingly outmanned and outgunned.
Amazing content. Watched many mini documentaries about Iwo Jima and your content still teaches me new things! Great video
I'm so glad that you are covering the Pacific theater of the war since your reports are so informative. Thank you!
Ty
@@waracademy128 welcome
There are two movies made by same director , depicting American and Japanese perspective of Iwo jima.
Flags from our fathers and letters from Iwo jima
Awesome video. Thank you very much
Anyone interested in this battle should watch Letters From Iwo Jima.
A very informative upload about a costly battle.
An excellent overview....
Good video
I am so glad.. I found myself in this community... Thanks for accepting my subscriptions ..I saw several historical coverages about the Ewi jema invading by USA marine divisions during WW2 but not such as this clearly explaining...really kuribayashi planning caused huge casualties for USA marine troops
Good history Channel
Marine Corps. Not Army. Big and important difference.
Mt. Suribachi I believe that I told you before that Uncle Joe and his friend was one of the first to land and made it to the Flag area I would have to go get his diary and see how many days it took. Luckily after being wounded after the flag raising he was in ( 2nd guy from left on the second or bottom row). He was the only one of All the relatives that I had in the war he was the only one who was going to talk about it. I would like to write you a letter someday from the little man who was in the flag raising to all the other battles he participated in before he got home and was hit by a drunk driver and passed away from the injuries. He was the youngest of seven children who came from the farm.
What if USA joined axis?
To blurry to watch this video
So why bring up the Soviets? The arrogance of it. The phot on Iwo Jima was staged and photographed, the Soviets did just did a classic illustration. Neither Country actually invented this classic propaganda pose.