Customer Reviews

Strike and Return: American Air Power and the Fight for Iwo Jima

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Though there have been many books on Iwo Jima, Cory Graff's book offers a unique, all-encompassing look at the various air actions related to Iwo that took place before, during and after the first Americans waded ashore on 19 February 1945. The American effort to invade Iwo and develop it as a major base for raids on Japan was truly a multi-service effort involving Navy, Air Force, Marine and Army units and aircraft as diverse as P-51s, Hellcats, PBYs, P-61s and even Sikorsky helicopters. Graff does a marvelous job of describing the roles played by each service in this well-written and well-illustrated book from Specialty Press.

To illustrate the complexities of the Iwo effort, consider the following: Iwo missions began in June 1944 with Navy carrier strikes; USAAF photo-recce missions starting the next month. August '44 saw the first Air Force bombing attacks (B-24s) with B-29s hitting the island in November. Air cover for the invasion force along with close air support was initially handled by carrier-based Hellcats, Avengers and Helldivers. Development of Iwo airfields in March '45 saw Air Force P-47s, -51s, -61s, artillery-spotting light aircraft, C-47s and PBYs along with Marine Corps Avengers and Mitchells setting up shop.

Graff gives each segment of this complex aviation mosaic its due. The book has it all: dogfights, CAS missions, banzai attacks on Air Force units on Iwo, B-29/P-51 VLR missions against Japan, night kills by P-61s, patrol plane missions against Japanese shipping, rescue of downed crews by Air Force PBYs, and so on. Some of this history can be found in other books but Graff gives the reader the whole picture. And in only 160 pages!

Likewise the book is brimming with over 320 black & white and color photographs, maps and diagrams. Though many photographs have appeared elsewhere, Graff's book draws them all together along with new shots.

In my estimation, STRIKE AND RETURN would be a candidate for six stars. It's a fresh perspective on a familiar topic, an adroit summary of a hugely complex subject and an entertaining read to boot!

Intertesting write up of various Allied Planes usde in the fight for Iwo Jima, and the final bombing of Japan from the Marianas Islands by B-29s to force trhe Surrender of Japan. The escort p-51s and P-38s are covered. The use of B-24s and other planes in the ivnvasion are a new subject to me.

The very frequent landings of B-29s on Iwo Jima, returning from Japan was of interest because the Island saved my life for sure once and was used by our second crew to insure safe arrival back to Tinian island in the Marianas.

Because the book contains a picture I did not know existed of the destroyed engine on aur plane I have purchased or ordered six books for family members.
and one for an interested friend. Jim Hays, Col, USAF, RET.

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