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We were now targeted by our own naval gun fire. I wasn't sure of the size and pore or if they emanated from a battleship or destroyer. I did know the chilled my blood shrieking in.		First Battalion's assault and advance was made with small groups, squads and fire teams who like ourselves thought they were all alone. Each cluster of Marines operated in a war of it's own.

Equipment costing millions of dollars and hauled halfway around the world had been turned into scrap iron piles by deadly accurate Japanese shelling. Tons of expensive debris washed idly back and forth in the surf.		Sunk and broached landing craft piled up along the beaches. By mid-afternoon D+1 it was necessary to close the island to further unloading until the weather subsided.

A massive explosion to the rear of our position erupted. It seemed they had blown up the whole island. An incredible display of fireworks followed. Unknown to us a lucky enemy artillery round found the Fifth Division's main ammo dump!		"They advised us to surrender by loud speaker, but we only laughed at this childish trick." - Lt. General Kuribayashi

Major General Keller Rockey, commander of the Fifth Marine Division was committed to the capture and/or destruction of Iwo's defenders, with the lowest possible American casualties. Photo by Colonel William Rockey		Telegram From: Lt. General T. Kuribayashi To: Chichi Jima for transmission to Tokyo 19, March, 1945 (D+28) The enemy besieged us on the 18th and 19th approaching us by firing and using flame-throwers on their tanks. Especially thay are trying to approach the entrance to our cave with explosives