On February 26, 1945, during the early stages of the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific War, three Japanese soldiers were killed by U.S. Marine artillery fire. The Japanese soldiers were blown from their defensive positions and from shallow fire trenches on the right side facing an open field.

　　On February 26, 1945, during the early stages of the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific War, three Japanese soldiers were killed by U.S. Marine artillery fire. The Japanese soldiers were blown from their defensive positions and from shallow fire trenches on the right side facing an open field.

　　Marines armed with flamethrowers, satchel charges, and hand grenades helped the Japanese destroy the fortifications. The cost was commensurate, and by the end of 20 February (D+1), many Marine rifle companies had lost up to 50% of their pre-assault strength in terms of casualties. The momentum of the operation remained extremely slow, and the advance was measured by the number of yards occupied.

　　From 21 February to March, the tenacity and sophistication of the Japanese forces allowed the opposing American forces to make progressively larger incursions; on the night of 21-22 February, ships on the perimeter of the amphibious landing zone suffered the only kamikaze attack during the operation. The escort carrier (Bismarck Sea, CVE-95) was damaged, and the fleet carrier (Saratoga, CV-3) was so badly damaged that she could not return to the US to fight. On land, the Marines reached the summit of Mount Suribachi on the morning of February 23, shortly after the first February 19 landing. The Battle of Iwo Jima spent the next month in fierce fighting.American flags were flown to boost morale, but hidden Japanese soldiers continued to resist in small positions.While the Marines continued northward supported by an armored task force consisting of several Marine tank companies, the southernmost air facility, Airfield 1, was occupied after a fierce battle by (D+1) on February 20.

　　When the U.S. forces invaded, they were met with a well-organized counterattack by the Japanese. This was a threat to the U.S. forces, which had experienced the disorderly banzai charge of Japanese soldiers in the past.American tanks were rendered inoperable by mines, suicide attack units, and camouflaged anti-tank guns. Marine rifle companies were subjected to constant artillery, mortar, and small arms fire. Many Japanese positions withstood close air support bombing and strafing. They had to be occupied either by direct ground attack or by sealing off entrances. after nine days, the invasion to the north advanced 3.7 kilometers, and the 7,000 U.S. troops suffered about 7,000 military casualties. by 4 march, airfield 2 was secured after a fierce battle, and the Marines had disabled many Japanese heavy weapons, reducing their defenses. On March 4, a 9th Bomb Group B-29 “Dyna” made an emergency landing at Airfield 1. The aircraft refueled and departed, indicating the possible use of Iwo Jima by the 21st Bomber Group. on March 14, the occupation of Iwo Jima was officially announced, but the fighting continued for another two weeks. Finally, on March 26, Iwo Jima was declared “safe.