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To the Shores of Iwo Jima facts for kids

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To The Shores of Iwo Jima
To the Shores of Iwo Jima titlecard.jpg
Produced by Milton Sperling
Editing by Rex Steele
Studio United States Marine Corps
Release date(s) 1945 (1945)
Country United States
Language English

To the Shores of Iwo Jima is a short, colorful documentary film. It tells the story of the fierce Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. This movie was made by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. It was important because it was one of the first times people in America saw the famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima in color.

About the Film

To the Shores of Iwo Jima is a special kind of movie called a documentary. Documentaries use real footage and facts to tell a true story. This film shows the intense fighting that happened on the island of Iwo Jima. It was released in 1945, right after the battle took place.

The movie was produced by two important parts of the United States military: the Navy and the Marine Corps. Their goal was to show Americans what their soldiers were doing during the war. The film was also notable for being in color, which was not very common for war footage at that time. This made the events feel more real and impactful to viewers.

The Battle of Iwo Jima

The Battle of Iwo Jima was a very important and difficult battle during World War II. It took place on a small island called Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean. The battle lasted for about five weeks, from February to March 1945. American forces, mainly the United States Marines, fought against the Japanese army.

The island was important because it had three airfields. Capturing these airfields would allow American planes to land and take off closer to Japan. This would help in the final stages of the war. However, the Japanese defenders were well-prepared and fought very bravely. The battle was one of the bloodiest in Marine Corps history.

The Famous Flag Raising

One of the most famous moments from the Battle of Iwo Jima is the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. This mountain is the highest point on the island. On February 23, 1945, a group of Marines raised a small American flag on the summit. This was a symbol of their progress and a boost to morale.

Later that day, a larger flag was raised. A photographer named Joe Rosenthal captured this second flag raising in a picture that became very famous. This photograph showed the strength and determination of the American soldiers. The film To the Shores of Iwo Jima was one of the first times people saw this historic event in color. It helped people understand the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers.

Watching the Film

You can watch the complete movie To the Shores of Iwo Jima online. It is available on Wikimedia Commons, which is a collection of free-to-use media files. Watching it can help you understand what the battle was like and how important it was.

  • To the Shores of Iwo Jima: the complete movie on Wikimedia Commons


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