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Members with U.S. Marines' Fifth Amphibious Corps are smashing at Japan defenders in another vital battle in World War 2. Thunderous and obliterating barrages by Navy ships and planes preceded the invasion assault." Quoted from the original caption, released with this photograph on 19 February 1945.

The view, taken during an air raid prior to the invasion operation, looks northeastward over Iwo Jima's southwestern shore. Bombs are bursting at the southern end of Airfield Number One, at the right. Note the agricultural fields between the camera and the airfield, and roads serving the airfield and settlements.

This shoreline, running from the lower center of the image northwards to beyond the point at left, was the scene of Beaches Purple 1, Brown (1 & 2), White (1 & 2) and Orange (1 & 2), which were used during the follow-on phases of the invasion.