Full Description
An award-winning US Marine Corps armor historian's account of the role of US and Japanese tanks on Iwo Jima.
The battle of Iwo Jima is iconic and known for its brutality: this was the only battle in which the number of US casualties outnumbered those of the Japanese. But as is often the case with the Pacific campaigns, the tank action on the island has generally been overshadowed by that of infantry. The tank, however, played an important role as a support weapon - especially on the US side - despite the rough terrain and unconventional enemy tactics.
Using unpublished official records and veterans' accounts, award-winning USMC armor specialist Romain Cansière sheds new light on Japanese and USMC armored operations on the island. This book offers new information on the battle in a complete, concise, and accessible format, and its illustrations include unpublished photographs from private collections and meticulously researched new color profiles, highlighting the tanks' modifications and their diverse camouflage and markings.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
TANKS, OTHER ARMOR AND ORGANIZATION
The Japanese
The Americans
Tank Destroyers
TECHNICAL FACTORS
Japanese antitank weapons
Tank and antitank guns
Infantry-borne weapons
Land mines
USMC improvised tank armor
Modifications for Iwo Jima
Amphibious tanks
ARMORED WARFARE ON IWO JIMA
Amphibious tanks
75mm half-tracks
Tanks
CONCLUSION
Surviving tanks
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
