Two of the essential tasks in an amphibious operation are the neutralization of any mines that may have been laid off the prospective landing beaches, and an Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) swimmer survey of beach conditions and the sea bottom immediately offshore. Small, lightly-armed and essentially unprotected ships and craft are required for both missions, which of necessity take place in full view of enemy defenses.
Though ordered to remain concealed until the actual assault landings were clearly in progress, on the morning of 17 February Japanese artillery opened fire on one group of minesweepers, prompting effective counterbattery gunfire by USS Pensacola. However, enemy guns on northeastern Iwo Jima scored six hits on that heavy cruiser, causing moderate damage, killing seventeen of her men and wounding nearly a hundred more. Pensacola resumed her bombardment work after putting out her fires and treating casulaties.
A more serious incident took place later that morning, as seven LCI(G) gunboats moved inshore to provide rocket and gunfire support for UDT "frogmen" operating along the eastern beaches. Thinking that these represented an actual landing attempt, Japanese coast defense guns, mortars and light arms were ordered to open fire, which they did with devastating effect. The badly battered LCI(G)s maintained their position until damage forced some to withdraw. Others advanced to take their place and were also hit, but the little gunboats carried on until the swimmers had successfully completed their mission. One craft, USS LCI(G)-474, was sunk. Eight others were badly damaged. Forty-four of gunboat crew members were killed and more than 150 were injured. The destroyer Leutze was also hit, suffering seven killed and more than thirty wounded. The Commanding Officer of USS LCI(G)-449, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Rufus G. Herring, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism on this occasion.
However, these losses were not without benefit, since the weapons that fired on the LCI(G)s thereby revealed their previously well-hidden locations to the bombardment force, and were systematically destroyed. Had they remained intact, the 19 February landings would have been even more difficult and costly.
This page features views related to minesweeping and underwater demolition team activities off Iwo Jima during the February 1945 invasion.
For more images concerning the pre-landing bombardment of Iwo Jima, see::
For other pictures concerning the Iwo Jima Operation, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 80-G-309163 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 White phosphorus rounds burst ashore as destroyers prepare for an Underwater Demolition Team operation off Iwo Jima's West Beach at 4:00 PM, 17 February 1945, during the pre-invasion bombardment of the island. Note the Fletcher class destroyer firing at right. She appears to be painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6D. Photographed from USS Texas (BB-35). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
Photo #: 80-G-309138 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 Minesweepers (YMS type), at left, at work in preparation for underwater demolition team (UDT) operations off Iwo Jima, at 1430 Hrs. on 17 February 1945. In the distance are an Idaho class battleship (left) and a Pensacola class heavy cruiser (right). Photographed from USS Texas (BB-35). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
Photo #: NH 65309 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 Several Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat) [LCI(G)] moving in to support Underwater Demolition Teams off Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945. Most of these LCI(G)s were badly shot up by Japanese defenses. Courtesy of Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo, USN. The original photograph came from the illustrations package for Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's "History of United States Naval Operations in World War II", volume XIV: "Victory in the Pacific". Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 39KB; 740 x 505 pixels |
![]() |
Photo #: NH 65317 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 "Death on the Deck of an LCI....Iwo Jima --- Americans died at their gun posts as enemy fire crashed aboard this LCI while assault boats headed in to the landing beaches on Iwo Jima. In the picture, the dead and injured gun crewmen still lie on the deck as another ship puts alongside to give aid. Groups (of) troops are still engaged in bitter and costly fighting on the tiny Jap island." Quoted from the original picture caption released for publication on 26 February 1945 by Commander in Chief, Pacific. This image shows one of several Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat)s [LCI(G)] that were badly shot up by Japanese defenses on 17 February 1945, while supporting Underwater Demolition Teams off Iwo Jima. Note the 40mm single gun in the foreground, shell fragment damage to the ship's conning tower, and her pattern camouflage. The original photograph came from the illustrations package for Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's "History of United States Naval Operations in World War II", volume XIV: "Victory in the Pacific". Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 97KB; 615 x 765 pixels |
![]() |
Photo #: 80-G-303838 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 USS YMS-362 (later USS Hawk, AMS-17) underway off Iwo Jima during invasion operations there in February 1945. Photographed from USS Nevada (BB-36). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
Photo #: 80-G-303843 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 Minesweeper (YMS type) going inshore off Mount Suribachi to clear invasion boat lanes, during the pre-invasion bombardment, circa 17-18 February 1945. Note the shell bursting in the air, in the center of the view. Photographed from USS Nevada (BB-36). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 42KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
Photo #: NH 104142 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 "Assault on Iwo Jima." "Shells explode ashore during the bombardment of Iwo Jima on D-Day-minus-two, February 17, 1945, as a small Navy patrol craft daringly cruises by Jap emplacements on Mount Suribachi." Quoted from the original caption, filed with this photograph on 25 April 1945. The view looks east toward Mount Suribachi's west side. Two explosions are visible at Suribachi's base. Probably taken during pre-invasion minesweeping activities, as the ship in the right foreground appears to be a YMS. The original print came from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's World War II history project working files. It was provided to Morison by E.J. Long. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
![]() |
Photo #: NH 104144 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 Anti-aircraft gunfire over Iwo Jima during the pre-invasion bombardment and minesweeping phase of the operation, circa 17-18 February 1945. Note what appears to be a burning airplane low over the ground at right, Mount Suribachi in the center and minesweepers (an AM and three YMS) at work at left. The original print came from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's World War II history project working files. It was provided to Morison by Admiral William H.P. Blandy, USN. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 39KB; 740 x 625 pixels |
![]() |
Photo #: 80-G-303835 Iwo Jima Operation, 1945 USS Pensacola (CA-24) smoking after she was hit by shore battery fire while bombarding Iwo Jima in support of minesweepers, during the morning of 17 February 1945. Note the YMS minesweeper at right. Photographed from USS Nevada (BB-36). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 28KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
![]() |
For more images related to this subject, see::
For other pictures concerning the Iwo Jima Operation, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 31 December 2006