World War II: Pacific War: Battle of Iwo Jima, 1945, Aerial view of Iwo Jima...

In February 1945 American forces bombarded and landed on the small island of Iwo Jima. Despite the size, this became one of the most hard fought battles of the war as each and every Japanese defender literally had to be priced out of his trench or cave with hand grenades and flame throwers. The battle became a symbol of American fighting spirit due to the now famous photograph of the Stars & Stripes being raised over Mount Suribachi. Aerial view of Iwo Jima / US navy at sea - naval bombardment of Iwo Jima / US carrier-borne aircraft attack ground targets on Iwo Jima - aerial view of targets as they are hit / US gunboats move close to beach - view of gun positions on US warship / General views of naval bombardment.