Letters from Iwo Jima Page #3

I couldn't believe it.

I'm grateful to be leaving this island.

We may have had our differences...

but I'm truly sorry to see you go.

General Hayashi, it is up to you now.

Kuribayashi belongs behind a desk,

not commanding war.

I understand.

There are many of us

who agree with you, sir.

Listen.

The Americans are likely to land here.

Crossfire positions will be here...

here...

and here.

The fact is...

we are completely

outnumbered in every sector.

But we have a great advantage.

Can anyone tell me what that is?

The Americans are weak-willed

and inferior to Japanese soldiers.

Very good, Shimizu.

Why is that?

They are not as disciplined...

and they let their emotions

interfere with their duty.

That is correct.

Here is the uniform

of an American medic.

He should be your target.

For Americans will risk the lives

of many soldiers to save this one.

Understood?

General, may I speak with you?

Please keep an eye on

Major General Hayashi.

Thank you for your concern, Nishi...

but we don't have any time to waste.

We must think about what

we can do at this moment.

Admiral Ichimaru.

Reporting for duty, sir.

Excuse me.

Thank you for coming

on such short notice.

Jupiter!

Jupiter.

Yamazaki...

what are you doing just

sitting there? Help us...

I think he's writing about us

in his reports.

He's just writing a letter.

It's been two months, Nozaki.

He would have reported us by now.

How can you be sure?

Will they ever stop?

Day and night, day and night...

It's driving me crazy!

If the damn Americans

are going to invade...

why don't they hurry up and land?

Tako-Chan...

the four chicks that were born

two months ago have grown so much.

The mother chicken leads them

for food every day...

but they're giving me a hard time, picking

at the vegetable garden I have grown.

The fleet of American ships

has left Saipan.

So they are on their way.

Ready the troops.

Men...

the time has come

to show your true colors.

As a member of the honorable

Imperial Army...

I trust that you will fight with honor.

This island is of utmost importance

to Japan.

Should the island fall...

the enemy...

will use it as their base

to attack our homeland.

For the mainland...

For our homeland...

Until the very last man.

Our duty is to stop the enemy right here.

Not one of you...

is allowed to die until you have killed

10 enemy soldiers.

Do not expect to return home alive.

I will always be in front of you.

Long live the Emperor.

Take care and be well.

I will fight courageously until the end,

in the spirit of Yamato.

My heart will always be with you.

Takeichi.

Every household is assigned a quota

of bag-making for the gunpowder.

I cannot help but get tense when I think

that these will be used in battle.

Taro and Yoko laugh at me for this.

Takako, on evacuation in Nagano,

is also doing well.

I pray for your safety.

Sincerely, Yoshi.

No one can shoot me now.

That's a nice belt.

My wife sent me one, too.

Doesn't look like Mr. Kempeitai

has a thousand-stitch belt, does he?

Maybe he thinks it will clash

with his uniform.

He probably doesn't believe

in superstitions, anyway.

His mother made him one after all.

- Maybe they're trying to sink the island.

- My head hurts.

How many ships do you think

there are out there?

At least 30. Maybe even 50.

- They must be really close.

- I need to take a leak.

Don't go near the sewers.

Dysentery is spreading through there.

Where do I go then?

There is a pot at the end of the cave.

The sh*t pot is full.

Someone needs to throw it out.

If anything happens to that pot...

you'll be carrying our sh*t away

with your hands.

Is this some kind of a joke?

Why are you always picking on me?

Thank you, God. I take back

what I said before.

Shall we commence fire?

Not yet.

The men wish to commence firing.

Hold your fire!

Hold your fire!

Hold your fire!

They will take the beach

in no time if we do not resist.

Wait until the beach is full.

Let's go. Commence firing!

Commence firing!

Commence firing!

The guns of the Kitakubo unit

were destroyed.

All the pillbox units on the beach

have been destroyed.

However, all other forces are intact...

and we estimate more than

1,000 enemy casualties.

The pillbox destruction was unavoidable.

Overall, that is good news.

How are the men

holding up at Suribachi?

Forces are intact.

What is the enemy situation?

Approximately 20,000 men and 80 tanks.

There has to be more than that.

They still have men waiting in the boats.

Currently the enemy front extends...

between Suribachi

and the south landing...

and Chidori airfield south.

Just as I thought... Suribachi

and the Motoyama airfield.

They are making a two-pronged attack.

That's not enough! I need more ammo.

Take his place!

- The machine gun is blasted.

- Use your rifle!

Watch out! Imbecile!

I can't rely on you.

Go send a report to Colonel Adachi

that we need another machine gun.

Hurry up!

Colonel Adachi is asking

for reinforcements.

We can't afford to send reinforcements.

Tell him to hold out.

Shoot him!

- What's the matter?

- We're out of bullets!

We are losing Suribachi.

All is lost. Request permission

to lead a suicide mission.

No. You must try to hold them off.

Do what you can to survive

and join forces in the north caves.

But, sir...

I have failed to hold Suribachi.

Permit me to die with honor with

my men.

No, Colonel.

This is an order!

Adachi.

Adachi!

Sir, Captain Tanida

requests machine guns.

It's over.

Suicide...

That's the only thing left.

But...

Here, take this to your commander.

I heard General Kuribayashi

order Colonel Adachi to escape.

Quiet!

Escape is the coward's way.

Sit down!

Men...

we are...

honorable soldiers of the Emperor.

Don't ever forget that.

The only way left for us...

is to die with honor.

This is our fate...

to find our place at Yasukuni Shrine.

I'll see you there.

Soldiers, farewell!

Stop!

You should die like an honorable soldier.

Look, Shimizu...

we can still join the troops

in the northern caves.

Our orders are to stay here until death.

I heard General Kuribayashi himself.

That's what he said...

over the radio.

It's true.

We can die here...

or we can continue fighting.

Which would better serve the Emperor?

Which one?

Where does this go?

It will take us closer to Motoyama.

Do you have orders to move back?

Where are the rest of your men?

All dead.

It's the same with us.

There should be an outlet

somewhere near here.

Be quiet!

So you thought you could blow us up,

or burn us alive, did you?

- Have we heard from Suribachi?

- No, sir.

Send a messenger!

Lieutenant Oiso has ordered us

to rendezvous at the east cave.

We will make a run for Motoyama.

There is no cover for two kilometers.

It will be every man for himself.

See you on the other side.

If not on this earth,

then in the next world.

Don't run with the herd.

That's where the enemy will fire.

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