Timeline: battle of iwo jima

Aug 11, 1944

The penultimate test of U.S. Marine Corps

By the end of 1944, American forces had secured from Japan control of the Mariana Islands to provide air bases for B-29 strategic bombers that could strike Japan. En route to Japan, these bombers flew over Iwo Jima (Sulphur Island). http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Feb 12, 1945

USS Iwo jima -Helo Operations

https://youtu.be/AVbT96R3F1c

Feb 16, 1945

Battle Of Iwo Jima Starts./Naval bombardment begins feb.16-19

U.S. Marines arrive at the island of Iwo Jima that is 4.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. Naval bombardment begins by six old battleships, four cruisers and one light cruiser http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwarii/p/battle-of-iwo-jima.htm https://youtu.be/MhLLzPYKZZI
http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Feb 20, 1945

20-25 FEB Southern end of island is secured after

six days of bitter fighting by the 28th Marines. Flag is raised on Mt. Suribachi

Feb 20, 1945

Northern end of island attack begins

as seven front line Battalions of V Amphibious Corps start their drive into the main Japanese defenses

Feb 21, 1945

4th and 5th Marine Divisions renew attacks

4th and 5th Marine Divisions renew attacks after gunfire from artillery, rockets and naval air and ships, lifts at 0815

Feb 23, 1945

D-Day

D-Day +3 - The battle is almost entirely in the hands of the 21st Marines, in the center of the line.

Feb 24, 1945

First phase of the battle ends

First phase of the battle ends with 50,000 Americans ashore

Feb 25, 1945

D-Day +6

D-Day +6 - Attack on the Meat Grinder by 23rd and 24th Marine Regiments

Feb 25, 1945

25-26 FEB Battle for securing

Battle for securing the airfields begins with the assault of the 3D Marine Division; hills Peter and OBOC fall; most of Airfields One and Two fall https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Battle-of-Iwo-Jima-First-Airfield-Captured

Feb 27, 1945

4th MARDIV presses forward FEB 27-28 1945

4th MARDIV presses forward their advance to both sides of the Meat Grinder http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Mar 2, 1945

28th Marine Regiment re-enters the fight

28th Marine Regiment re-enters the fight for the firt time since they took Suribachi

Mar 3, 1945

Airfield One

Airfield One - 1,000 yard section opened http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Mar 4, 1945

First disabled B-29

First disabled B-29, "Dinah Might," lands on Iwo Jima http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Mar 5, 1945

Mopping up

Mopping up; V Amphibious Corps orders that no attacks should take place this day. Also, 3D Regiment of 3D MARDIV sails away.
http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Mar 6, 1945

General Groves Erskine

General Groves Erskine, CG 3D MARDIV receives approval to conduct night attack against hill 362-C

Mar 8, 1945

Final Phase 8-15

Final Phase - 4th MARDIV operations continue against the Meat Grinder; 3d MARDIV breaks through to the sea; Japanese force now split in two; the end is in sight

Mar 9, 1945

3D MARDIV completes MAR 9-16

3D MARDIV completes reduction of Cushman's Pocket (it takes six days); 4th MARDIV during same period subdues last major resistance in their sector and elements begin leaving the island http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html

Mar 10, 1945

5th Division reaches area of LTGEN MAR 10-25

5th Division reaches area of LTGEN Kuribayashi's 109th Div Headquarters; battle of Bloody Gorge becomes the last Japanese resistance on the island http://www.jahitchcock.com/iwostats.html