published on: 10/02/2026
Author:
Bulia
After Action Report
1st Platoon, 5th Marine Division, United States Marine Corps (USMC)
On the night of March 25th 1945 the 5th Marine Division 1st Platoon’s Alpha Squad, maintained designated defensive positions along the eastern foot of Mt Suribachi. These defensive lines were established following a successful seizure of Suribachi approximately one month prior. The Imperial Japanese Army had operational knowledge of our disposition and had prepared what was left of their troops for counteroffensive actions. Our squad was tasked to defend the northeast and east sector, and were situated in primarily field fortifications, such as bunkers and trenches.
Our squad’s combat equipment mainly consisted of small arms such as M1 Garand, with some being assigned support weapons such as the BAR, machine gunners, bazooka, and a flamethrower. We also had a field medic close by to swiftly treat the injured. An attached M4 Sherman element provided us with tank support along the lower ridgelines, and we had air support from F4U Corsair aircraft that operated offshore. Friendly anti-air guns provided us with additional air support. Each platoon had a jeep with an M2 gun to use as a makeshift anti-air asset and for suppressive fire. Our armored and logistics platoons were situated at South Motoyama Airfield and it took some time for them to arrive and provide us with support. As a result, we had to manage with what we had to repel enemy attacks until we got resupplied.The Japanese Army didn’t possess AT weaponry; however, they did have 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks, Ha-Go light tanks, and A6M Zero planes which had long-range capabilities to launch an attack at us.
We had initial contact with enemy forces shortly after nightfall. While Japanese artillery was limited due to prior U.S. naval and aerial engagement, their planes heavily bombarded our defensive positions. Simultaneously, enemy infantry advanced in sporadic waves from the north, east, and even south where they exploited gaps in our defenses and approached from the coast catching us by surprise. By this point we had a lot of ground to cover, supplies were running low, many suffered injuries and our ability to easily spot enemies was lowered due to darkness. Numerous armored vehicles advanced towards our sector launching heavy fire on our elements. One tank almost breached our defensive line when it rushed towards the bunker. The attack resulted in several casualties and we had to temporarily retreat while the armored unit, joined with our bazooka team, returned fire and destroyed the tank.
Upon finally securing the perimeter, we received orders to reposition and stop the enemy infantry from infiltrating the eastern entrance of the extensive Suribachi tunnel network. Platoon jeeps equipped with M2 guns provided suppressive fire for us while we approached the enemy in a short-ranged exchange. Enemy resistance consisted primarily of small arms and MGs, therefore it was easily dealt with and the entrance was secured.
Company HQ established a rendezvous point where we resupplied and regrouped for the offensive attack on the North Motoyama Airfield, a critical logistical and defensive strongpoint of the Japanese Army on the island. The distance from the airfield was considerable so our squad was transported via LVCT vehicles. On the way we encountered numerous enemy mines and evaded all of them without any material or personnel loss. Once we were close to the hill atop which the airfield was located, we were caught in heavy fire from the enemy anti-air guns and tanks, and were forced to flank them from the western approach. We employed long-range suppressive fire from BAR and machine guns to exhaust enemy strongholds, allowing infantry to close the distance and clear remaining Japanese resistance.
To conclude the report, we secured the North Motoyama Airfield complex, effectively severing a principal Japanese logistical and defensive hub on Iwo Jima island. The engagement resulted in multiple casualties and supply depletion. The flamethrower asset was of limited operational use due to terrain constraints and high exposure risk. Despite sustaining losses, we achieved our given objective and the airfield is rendered operational for future U.S. employment.