The Archive / Season 1, Episode 6
The Sands of Iwo Jima
THE ARCHIVE Season 1, Episode 6: "The Sands of Iwo Jima" --- [ARCHIVAL NOTE: The following letters and testimonies are from American Marines who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, February 19 - March 26, 1945. The battle was one of the bloodiest in Marine Corps history, with nearly 7,000 Americans killed and over 19,000 wounded. Of the 21,000 Japanese defenders, only 216 were captured alive. These are the voices of the men who raised that famous flag.] --- [LETTER ONE] From: PFC Thomas Mitchell, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division To: His parents, Kansas City Date: February 18, 1945 (the night before D-Day) Dear Mom and Dad, Tomorrow we land on Iwo Jima. I'm sitting in my bunk on the transport ship, trying to write a letter that might be my last. All around me, Marines are doing the same thing — writing home, playing cards, praying. Some are joking around, trying to pretend tomorrow is just another day. But we all know what's coming. The briefings were grim. The Japanese have had years to fortify that island. Miles of tunnels, hundreds of pillboxes, guns buried in concrete and volcanic rock. They're not going to surrender. Every inch of that island will have to be bought with American blood. The commanders say we'll take it in five days....