Black Sand.

Hi Reader, welcome back to our weekly coverage of what happened in the skies and on the ground during World War II. This week, we cover the kamikaze strike that brought down the USS Bunker Hill as well as one of the costliest battles in the final chapters of the Pacific. Join us as we delve into the history of one of the most pivotal conflicts ever and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

One Step Closer To Japan

This week in history, the Battle of Iwo Jima reaches its climax with the raising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi by U.S. Marines on February 23, 1945. This moment, captured in one of the most iconic photographs of World War II, signified a turning point in the battle as American forces gained a decisive advantage over the heavily entrenched Japanese defenders. However, the battle was far from over. Fierce resistance continued across the island, and the Marines would endure several more weeks of brutal combat before securing Iwo Jima.

The battle had begun on February 19, 1945, when U.S. troops from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions landed on the black volcanic sand beaches of Iwo Jima. Facing a heavily fortified enemy, the Marines struggled against relentless machine-gun fire and artillery from hidden bunkers and pillboxes. The island’s soft volcanic ash made movement difficult, preventing them from digging proper foxholes for cover. Despite these challenges, American forces managed to establish a beachhead, and by the end of the day, 30,000 Marines had landed, with thousands more to follow.

As U.S. troops pushed further inland, they encountered an elaborate network of caves, tunnels, and underground bunkers designed to conceal Japanese positions and facilitate ambushes. The defenders, commanded by General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, had abandoned traditional banzai charges in favor of a deeply entrenched, attritional defense strategy. With no way of securing valuable resources, the Japanese became increasingly desperate. Nighttime attacks and banzai charges became more frequent as defeat loomed, yet nearly all of the 21,000 defenders fought to the death rather than surrender.

The American victory at Iwo Jima came at a terrible cost. It was the only U.S. Marine battle where American casualties exceeded those of the Japanese, with over 26,000 U.S. casualties, including 6,800 dead. After weeks of intense fighting, Iwo Jima was declared secured on March 16, 1945. The lessons learned during the battle would shape the strategies for the invasion of Okinawa and the eventual assault on the Japanese mainland.

The Sinking of USS Bunker Hill

Kiyoshi Ogawa was an aviator for the Japanese Imperial Navy and a volunteer for the infamous kamikaze strike group. During the desperate final stages of the war, Imperial Japan launched their specialized kamikaze strike groups to wreak havoc against US Navy ships. Ogawa, like many young pilots, gave his life during one of these deadly kamikaze missions, taking down the USS Bunker Hill on May 11, 1945, during the Invasion of Okinawa, Japan.

Born on October 23, 1922, in Usui District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Ogawa grew up educated and attended the elite private school, Waseda University, located in Tokyo. As the war in the Pacific raged on, Imperial Japan began to draft students from top universities in a desperate attempt to fill their ranks. In the fall of 1943, Ogawa was drafted alongside other students from prominent universities and entered the 14th Class of Naval Flight Reserve Students upon graduating.

Upon completing his training, he was assigned to the 306th Fighter Squadron in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. During his time with the 306th, the concept of kamikaze came to fruition and Imperial Navy pilots were pushed into volunteering for this dangerous task force. Like many other pilots, Ogawa reluctantly volunteered, given no other option.

On the morning of May 11, 1945, the USS Bunker Hill, serving as the flagship of Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher, participated in carrier operations east of Okinawa, supporting the ongoing invasion. On this fateful day, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a massive kamikaze mission. Among the pilots was Ogawa, flying a Zero modified to carry a 550-pound bomb.

As Ogawa and his squadron leader, Seizō Yasunori, approached the USS Bunker Hill, they descended rapidly, catching the ship's crew off guard. The ship immediately retaliated with a barrage of gunfire and anti-air weapons. Ogawa's patrol leader, Yasunori, released his bomb, which tore through the flight deck, causing extensive damage and igniting gasoline fires. Yasunori’s aircraft immediately followed suit and hit the ship, wiping out the 34 planes parked on the ship’s deck. Moments after, Ogawa aimed his Zero for the flight deck near the bridge, dropping his bomb just before he crashed into the USS Bunker Hill. Of the ship's 352 crewmembers, 264 were wounded, and 41 MIA. Kiyoshi Ogawa was only 22 years old at the time of his death.

Following the kamikaze strike, Navy diver Robert Schock discovered Ogawa’s aircraft partially intact and submerged in water. Schock found Ogawa dead in the cockpit, and removed Ogawa's name tag from his flight suit, along with a letter Ogawa carried with him on his last mission, some photographs, a belt from Ogawa's parachute harness, and a large smashed aviator watch of the type that Japanese pilots wore around their necks.

The following is an English translation of his last letter :

Dear Father and Mother,

It has been decided that I also will make a sortie as a proud Special Attack Corps member. Looking back, when I think of your raising me in your arms for more than twenty years, I am filled with a sense of gratitude. I truly believe that no one else has lived a happier life than me, and I am resolved to repay the Emperor and my Father for your kindness.

Beyond those boundless white clouds, I will make my attack with a calm feeling. Not even thoughts of life and death will come to mind. A person dies once. It will be an honorable day to live for an eternal cause.

Father and Mother, please be glad for me.

Above all, Mother, please take care of your health, and I wish for everyone's prosperity. As I will be at Yasukuni Shrine, Father and Mother, I always and forever will be living near you and will be praying for your happiness.

I will go smiling, both on the day of my sortie and forever.

Did You Know?

The volcanic ash of Iwo Jima significantly slowed down both sides during the battle. While it made trench digging difficult and clogged equipment, the Japanese effectively used the island's natural volcanic caves. Reinforced by the ash, these caves became a complex network of underground fortifications, substantially slowing the American advance.

Thank you for tuning in to this week's coverage of what happened on the ground and the skies during World War II. We hope to see you again next week for even more incredible true stories. And as always, see you in the skies.

-TJ

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