WORLD WAR II NONFICTION

"Iwo" by Richard Wheeler

This is a fine and stirring account of the battle for Iwo Jima. There is a lot of historical background about the Japanese commanders as well as the Americans. The author was a member of the 3rd Platoon of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Division. His unit was given the distinction of scaling Mount Suribachi and raising the 1st flag. The famous picture and statue are of the 2nd flag raising.

The book recounts the epic struggle by day, of the long and bloody battle to seize the island. Over 6000 Americans and 22000 Japanese lost their lives. The Marines and Japanese both fought with fierce determination and this is a most excellent account of the action with many good photographs.

The Japanese continued to fight to the bitter end, refusing to give in to a lost cause. They died in droves and needlessly killed many fine young Americans. Their code of Bushido was senseless and was the cause of completely unnecessary death and suffering for both sides. We should have kept the damned island!

Reviewed by Kenneth S. Smith, 8 December 1999

Available from:

Blue Jacket Books
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5035
(800) 233-8764

www.usni.org

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