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Iwo Jima: Red Blood, Black
Sand
Pacific Apocalypse |
The
capture of Iwo Jima was supposed to have taken three days with relatively minor
casualties. More than a month later, 6,821 Americans were dead. The story of
Iwo has been told many times before, but this latest account is through the eyes of a
Marine PFC. whose experiences, thoughts and feelings are now ours to share. The
account focuses not only on the author's experiences but upon those of the men he served
with.
An unusual aspect is the inclusion of memoirs
of several Japanese officers, offering a different, yet very relevant perspective.
This is a contribution to the greater historical account. It is a personalized view
of a cataclysmic event, but most of all, it is a tribute to the men who served and who
sacrificed under the most arduous of circumstances.
Review From: January/1996 U.S. Naval Proceedings |
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- Forward by Colonel Justin Gates Duryea
- Has the Japanese battle plans
- Quotes Japanese generals and officers
- Contains the personal recollections of
generals, colonels, majors, sergeants,
corporals and Pfc.
- Has accurate, and rare historical facts and
never before published photographs.
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For a sample of the story, click here. |
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"For someone like myself, an Iwo Jima
survivor, it (Iwo Jima: RED BLOOD, BLACK SAND, Pacific Apocalypse)
brought back all the bitter memories of our descent through the gates of hell that was Iwo
Jima. One word describes the book. TERRIFIC!"
Stan Dobowski, Secretary, Iwo Jima Survivor's Association |
Order the book |
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Iwo Jima: Red Blood, Black Sand
Video |
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The horrors
and triumphs of one of the most famous battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II
is vividly recreated in this video, which includes interviews with 23 survivors.
These U.S. Marine Corps veterans tell this story of the struggle for Iwo Jima--an island
650 miles southeast of Tokyo--which was part of the Allied effort to move the war closer
to the Japanese homeland. On February 19, 1945, a massive American military force,
which would find itself confronted by approximately 22,000 entrenched Japanese troops,
began an amphibious assault on the island. Expected to take only a few days, the
campaign lasted more than a month and resulted in more than a third of the Marines--almost
6,000 killed and more than 17,000 wounded--becoming casualties. Historic
photographs and black and white, as well as color film footage graphically illustrate the
sometimes emotional testimony of the veterans of one of the bloodiest battles in Marine
Corps history.
Iwo Jima: RED BLOOD, BLACK SAND the PBS, 90
minute documentary has been recommended by Ken Reigle of the Washington Post, as the
"best documentary of W.W.II" which he said should be "shown in every school
room in America." This gripping film has 90 minutes of full color combat
footage, rare interviews with survivors and a grit and feel for the battle rarely, if ever
duplicated.Look what LEATHERNECK MAGAZINE says about Iwo Jima:
RED BLOOD, BLACK SAND
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the battle for Iwo Jima, this video
is dedicated to the Marines who fought, bled and died on the sands of Iwo Jima.
Combat movie footage, both black and white and color film was gleaned from archives and
interspersed between recollectors of Iwo vets. It provides an excellent mix, for as
a veteran recalls an individual or an event, the screen shows what happened.
Professionally edited, the music of the era provides background for depicted scenes.
Glenn Millers band brings the era closer to the screen.
Iwo was supposed to be a five day operation. Iwo was subjected to the toughest
softening-up (by naval vessels and Marine and Navy aircraft) of any island of W.W.II.
More than 880 ships formed the task force, and most aimed their guns at the tiny
island.
"We watched the Navy guns pound Suribachi. I thought they had killed them
(Japanese defenders) all," remarked one vet. How wrong he was.
"We climbed the ropes into the landing. The adrenaline prepared you for fight
or flight," recalled another Marine veteran. "The noise... There were
mortars, machine guns, planes, artillery, and me yelling. Landing crafts were blown
out of the water."
"Digging in the volcanic ash was like trying to make a hole in a pail of water."
"A lot of boys bought the farm. We were so young."
Recollections and stories told of units and individuals blend well. More than a
story of a Marine victory, it is the story of Marines. It is a collection of
recollections and some show the horror that is war.
One Marine veteran said, "One buddy got it yesterday and another today. And you
wondered when it would be your turn. You tried not to get close to people. If
you weren't there, you'll never know, understand or appreciate what we did."
Another recalled, "The bravest men I saw were Navy Corpsmen. They did miracles
at Iwo."
Most (vets of Iwo) agree they survived hell. They share their memories with the
camera. "I wouldn't trade my memories for the world," one said, "but I
wouldn't want to go a second time."
Buddies are remembered. Death and suffering appear on the screen. Tears are
choked back. Iwo was like that. |
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