Iwo Jima: WWII in the Pacific
80 years ago, American Marines won a costly victory on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima.
80 years ago, on the rocky volcanic island of Iwo Jima, the vicious battle for the Pacific reached ever bloodier crescendos. As Allied forces crossed the Rhine in Europe, American Marines won a costly victory on Iwo Jima in their island-hopping campaign towards the Japanese mainland.
For the latest instalment of our 'D-Day to Berlin' series, we're joined by Timothy Heck, an artillery officer in the US Marine Corps Reserve and a supervisory historian with Naval History and Heritage Command. Tim explains why the battle happened, and how the Americans overcame the tenacious Japanese defenders.
Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Matthew Peaty.
All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3 Media.
Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.
