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Photo # NH 104376-KN: Warships bombarding Iwo Jima, circa 19 February 1945.  Photographed by Lt. Howard W. Whalen, USNR

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific --

Iwo Jima Operation, February - March 1945
-- Howard W. Whalen's Color Photographs of Pre-landing Bombardment, circa 19 February 1945

During the Iwo Jima invasion, Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, an officer of the attack transport Sanborn (APA-193), used a Leica 35mm camera to take several rolls of Kodachrome color transparencies showing various aspects of the operation. Among these are views of boats and ships offshore, the pre-landing bombardment of the island, the assault landings, the beach area following the landings and a few other subjects. Though some of the photographs look southward toward Mount Suribachi, and others were taken offshore with no land visible, most show the vicinity of the "Blue" Beaches, northernmost of Iwo Jima's eastern landing beaches. It was there that Sanborn's boats and amphibious tractors (LVTs) put Marines and supplies ashore during the 19 February 1945 amphibious assault.

The fine weather and direction of lighting seen in most of the pre-landing bombardment photographs strongly indicate that they were taken during the early morning of 19 February, the Iwo Jima "D-Day". A few of the images are darker, and may have been taken just after dawn on the 19th.

This page features color photographs concerning the Iwo Jima pre-landing bombardment, taken by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, circa 19 February 1945.

  • This page emphasizes views of warships firing from off shore, and the bombardment of the southern part of Iwo Jima, including Mount Suribachi.

    For additional images of this subject, see::

  • Iwo Jima Operation -- H.W. Whalen's Color Photographs of Pre-landing Bombardment, circa 19 Feb. 1945 (Part II);
  • Iwo Jima Operation -- H.W. Whalen's Color Photographs of Pre-landing Bombardment, circa 19 Feb. 1945 (Part III).
    Further Online Library pages of Howard W. Whalen's Iwo Jima photography will be added in the future.

    For other views related to the Iwo Jima pre-landing bombardment, see:

  • Iwo Jima Operation -- Pre-landing Bombardment and Other Landing Zone Preparations, 16-19 February 1945.

    For other pictures concerning the Iwo Jima Operation, see:

  • Iwo Jima Operation, February - March 1945 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    For information on Howard W. Whalen, and links to his photographs of other subjects, see:

  • Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR.


    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 #: NH 104376-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Three cruisers and other U.S. Navy warships bombarding Iwo Jima, circa 19 February 1945.
    The cruisers include (from distant left center to center): either USS Pensacola (CA-24) or USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), probably USS Indianapolis (CA-35), and a Cleveland class light cruiser. The latter is heavily shrouded with smoke from its guns.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 515 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104358-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    A battleship (probably USS Tennessee, BB-43), in the center of the view, and other U.S. Navy warships firing on Iwo Jima, probably prior to the initial landings, circa 19 February 1945.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 490 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104340-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Ships off Iwo Jima, circa 19 February 1945.
    USS Idaho (BB-42) is in the center, with a flash amidships indicating that she is firing her five-inch secondary battery at targets ashore.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 40KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104304-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Fletcher class destroyer off Iwo Jima, probably during the pre-landing bombardment of the island, circa 19 February 1945. Mount Suribachi is at left.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104309-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Fletcher class destroyer shelling Iwo Jima, probably during the pre-landing bombardment of the island, circa 19 February 1945.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 530 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104327-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Helmeted crewman in a landing craft watches as a Fletcher class destroyer shells Iwo Jima, probably during the pre-landing bombardment, circa 19 February 1945. Note explosions and smoke ashore, and what appear to be shell air bursts over the island.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104338-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    Large explosion at the northern base of Mount Suribachi, probably during the pre-landing bombardment, circa 19 February 1945. Note the smoke and dust shrouding the island.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104355-KN (color)

    Iwo Jima Operation, 1945

    A battleship (probably USS Tennessee, BB-43) bombarding Iwo Jima prior to the initial landings, circa 19 February 1945. Mount Suribachi is in the left center, beyond the battleship, with a huge explosion at its base.
    Original 35mm Kodachrome transparency, photographed by Lieutenant Howard W. Whalen, USNR, Boat Group Commander, USS Sanborn (APA-193).

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR. Donated by Mrs. Nadine Whalen, 1997.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     


    For additional images of this subject, see::

  • Iwo Jima Operation -- H.W. Whalen's Color Photographs of Pre-landing Bombardment, circa 19 Feb. 1945 (Part II);
  • Iwo Jima Operation -- H.W. Whalen's Color Photographs of Pre-landing Bombardment, circa 19 Feb. 1945 (Part III).
    Further Online Library pages of Howard W. Whalen's Iwo Jima photography will be added in the future.

    For other views related to the Iwo Jima pre-landing bombardment, see:

  • Iwo Jima Operation -- Pre-landing Bombardment and Other Landing Zone Preparations, 16-19 February 1945.

    For other pictures concerning the Iwo Jima Operation, see:

  • Iwo Jima Operation, February - March 1945 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    For information on Howard W. Whalen, and links to his photographs of other subjects, see:

  • Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Whalen, USNR.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 31 December 2006