Dear Jim,
I can't believe that it's been three years since the war started. The conditions here at Iwo Jima are horrible, although understandable, considering we are at war. The Japanese have been putting up a good fight. The island might be very small, but it's riddled with caves. I feel like at any moment the whole island is going to collapse. The problem with it is that we can't go anywhere. During the night, we hide in little holes, called foxholes, and sit there the whole night. You can't go out and pee. One time this young kid, Darren, poked his head out and almost immediately he was sniped, good thing he had his helmet on. It's kind of a shame, really. Everybody came into the battle thinking that the Japanese were short of sight, but really, they have sniper eyes. I'm no expert on the Japanese or anything, but their whole reason for fighting is more for honor for the family and their country than having to go with it. However, as they are losing more and more battles, they seem to be getting more discouraged.
The thing is though, this whole island is just cave after cave. Every time we clear out another cave, it's like, "Phew. It's finally over." and then you go outside and get shot at, and see another cave. It's just tiring. Although, they are in a losing battle. We took over their main defenses, and its just a matter of going by and clearing out the Japanese. So, no bother explaining. Just routine work. Although it has been a lot easier with the flamethrowers. Usually, the flame coming into the cave sends them all out.
But the battle was won for us. I heard that Mt. Suribachi had a flag raising, and it took six people to do it. But only three of the six actually walked down the hill. I heard that they even got footage of it. There was also a rumor going around that they played it on national television, too, but I can't tell you for certain that it actually happened, as I am not in the states. But I heard next that on the agenda was the Island of Okinawa. Jeez, this island was only three miles long, and it took us three weeks to take out this place. Okinawa's something like over fifty miles long, and I can't imagine how long this is going to take. But then is Japan. I don't know what they are planning for that one, but if it's anything like here it's going to take a heck of a long time. But anyways, that's enough from me. Stay in school kid, and give Mom a kiss for me.
Love,
Daniel.
I can't believe that it's been three years since the war started. The conditions here at Iwo Jima are horrible, although understandable, considering we are at war. The Japanese have been putting up a good fight. The island might be very small, but it's riddled with caves. I feel like at any moment the whole island is going to collapse. The problem with it is that we can't go anywhere. During the night, we hide in little holes, called foxholes, and sit there the whole night. You can't go out and pee. One time this young kid, Darren, poked his head out and almost immediately he was sniped, good thing he had his helmet on. It's kind of a shame, really. Everybody came into the battle thinking that the Japanese were short of sight, but really, they have sniper eyes. I'm no expert on the Japanese or anything, but their whole reason for fighting is more for honor for the family and their country than having to go with it. However, as they are losing more and more battles, they seem to be getting more discouraged.
The thing is though, this whole island is just cave after cave. Every time we clear out another cave, it's like, "Phew. It's finally over." and then you go outside and get shot at, and see another cave. It's just tiring. Although, they are in a losing battle. We took over their main defenses, and its just a matter of going by and clearing out the Japanese. So, no bother explaining. Just routine work. Although it has been a lot easier with the flamethrowers. Usually, the flame coming into the cave sends them all out.
But the battle was won for us. I heard that Mt. Suribachi had a flag raising, and it took six people to do it. But only three of the six actually walked down the hill. I heard that they even got footage of it. There was also a rumor going around that they played it on national television, too, but I can't tell you for certain that it actually happened, as I am not in the states. But I heard next that on the agenda was the Island of Okinawa. Jeez, this island was only three miles long, and it took us three weeks to take out this place. Okinawa's something like over fifty miles long, and I can't imagine how long this is going to take. But then is Japan. I don't know what they are planning for that one, but if it's anything like here it's going to take a heck of a long time. But anyways, that's enough from me. Stay in school kid, and give Mom a kiss for me.
Love,
Daniel.