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This uncommon U.S. military plan of northeastern Iwo Jima, boldly marked SECRET, was printed aboard the U.S.S. El Dorado on February 11th, 1945 while the command ship was stationed in the South Pacific. Just eight days later, the Battle of Iwo Jima, also known as Operation Detachment, would commence - ultimately becoming one of the bloodiest battles in the entire theater. The detailed topographic image was one of three sheets (a small key visible in the upper right) prepared by the U.S. Navy Photographic Interpretation Section to aid in operational planning for the assault. It covers about half of the volcanic island, which was situated approximately 700 miles away from the Japanese homeland (within bomber range), and therefore considered a possible staging point for the final Allied push. Using information provided by aerial reconnaissance flights, a topographic base map has been overprinted in bright red to pinpoint the (probable) locations of Japanese military installations. A legend in the upper right clarifies various symbols used for pillboxes, machine gun nests, trenches, radio towers, command posts, artillery pieces, searchlights, and more. Printed text also notes the location of a probable tank park, fuel storage, and an 8cm gun in the East Boat Basin. Defenses appear exceptionally strong around Motoyama Airfield No. 2, one of the primary strategic objectives for Operation Detachment. Other relevant landmarks are also labeled (in black) throughout; including a third airfield (then under construction), a radio weather station, and a sulfur mine. Additional overprinting in purple and blue divides the sheet into a grid system, explained briefly in the upper right. This provided a useful reference when requesting naval strikes or aerial bombardment - both of which provided critical fire support before and during the invasion. Unfortunately for the men in the Marine assault forces, both the detailed cartographic preview and the 'softening' by thousands of tons of artillery failed to substantially account for the miles of tunnels dug by the Japanese defenders. While numerous underground entrances are noted within the image, mainly along steep contours, the network of subterranean fortifications caught the attackers by surprise and contributed to the high casualties suffered during the battle. Sheet Width (in) 17 Sheet Height (in) 21.9 Condition Description Creased along old fold lines and moderate wrinkling visible throughout much of the sheet. A few small closed edge tears, confined to the margin, and some very minor paper loss in the lower right (away from the image). Light scattered soiling, consistent with age and use. Good to very good condition overall.
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