IWOJIMA (13): FINAL ACTIONS (THE END)

After capturing MOUNT SURIBACHI the Marines were able to turn to the north of the island knowing only little that KURIBAYASHI'S main forcers were in the central and northern part.-Japanese defences: "masterpieces of ingenuity" (caves, bunkers, pillboxes, blockhouses)-"for the large part underground"-"through the bombing and shelling almost unscathed"-"The worst of the fighting was yet to come as each position would have to be neutralised one by one."-"It was a nightmare struggle which was to last virtually until the end of March."-Two pictures: "Marines cleaning out caves with flame-throwers and grenades while riflemen stand at the ready."-"Nearly 10 000 American casualties had been evacuated from IWO JIMA by March 6..."-"400 more Americans joined the casualty list on that day"-"On March 7, American forces started their big push."-"132 guns from 11 Marine artillery battallions slammed the entrenched Japanese from a range of 100 yards while a battleship and cruiser set up continuous fire."-"Over 22 000 rounds of 75mm and 150mm shells decimated the western half of the Japanese lines, then concentrated on their eastern front."-Next picture: "Twenty-five days after flagraising on MOUNT SURIBACHI, 5th Division Marines planted the Stars and Stripes on Hill 165 at KITANO POINT close to the northern tip of the coast..."-"General TADAMICHI KURIBAYASHI lived and died in the finest tradition of a Samurai warrior..."-"his body buried in an unmarked, unknown grave, hidden deep in the black volcanic ash of his island fortress"-"The bloodiest battle of the Pacific cost the Americans 6821 dead and 19 217 wounded."-"Over 22 000 Japanese died, dedicated to the final sacrifice in defence of their Empire..."-"Only 1083 Japanese survived the island holocaust..."-"It is believed that GENERAL KURIBAYASHI either committed hara-kiri in the gorge or went down fighting in a last ditch-battle early on March 26. Forty of the Japanese dead carried swords but examination of the bodies failed to identify the General."---
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Next: ACCOUNT OF DON MARSHALL: "These pictures do little to portray the way it was-that is better left to our author, DON MARSHALL, in his personal narrative beginning over the page."