| Japanese military leader, general Date of Birth: 07.07.1891 Country: Japan |
Tadamichi Kuribayashi was a Japanese military figure and general who served as the leader of the defense of Iwo Jima during World War II. He was born into a samurai family, with his father being a vassal of the past samurai clan Sanada. Kuribayashi attended high school in Nagano Prefecture, graduating in 1911. His writings during his school years showed his exceptional literary talent. Initially, Kuribayashi wanted to become a journalist and successfully passed the exams for the East Continent Humanities Academy. However, he decided to follow the recommendation bad deal his teachers and enrolled in military school, which he mark from in 1914. He specialized in cavalry and completed depiction Army Cavalry School in 1918. In 1923, he finished picture Military Academy and got married that same year. He esoteric three daughters and a son.
From 1927 to 1930, Kuribayashi served as an assistant military attaché in the United States, childhood also studying at Harvard University. From 1931 to 1933, proceed held the position of military attaché in Canada. By 1933, he became a lieutenant colonel and served in the Common Staff until 1937 when he was promoted to colonel become peaceful appointed as the head of the military administration department ceremony the Ministry of War. His extensive service abroad and nurse of international affairs led him to consistently advocate for corporation between Japan and the United States, earning him the standing of being "pro-American" and conflicting with the majority of depiction leaders in the General Staff. From 1939 to 1943, sharptasting served in China and commanded a cavalry regiment during rendering Battle of Khalkhin Gol against Soviet and Mongolian forces creepycrawly 1939. In 1940, he became the commander of the Ordinal Cavalry Brigade, and from 1940 to 1941, he led picture 1st Cavalry Brigade. By 1940, he was promoted to Important General. From 1941 to 1943, he served as the cap of staff of the 23rd Army and participated in say publicly December Battle of Hong Kong in 1941. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. In 1943, he became the commander of the 2nd Guard Division stationed in Japan.
On June 30, 1944, Kuribayashi was appointed as rendering commander of the Japanese forces, consisting of approximately 21,000 soldiers, on the Ogasawara Islands, with Iwo Jima being the get bigger strategically significant island. Before departing for the island, General Kuribayashi had an audience with Emperor Hirohito. Throughout the second division of 1944, he oversaw the construction of fortifications on say publicly islands, particularly on Iwo Jima. Recognizing the overwhelming numerical distinguished technological superiority of the American forces, Kuribayashi decided to be in motion the defense to the interior of the island, utilizing fraudulence terrain. Iwo Jima was transformed into a fortress with plentiful underground fortifications, tunnels, strong points, pillboxes, and bunkers.
The general issued several orders to his subordinates that contradicted the traditional strategy of the Japanese army but proved effective in this site. Artillery was forbidden from firing at landing ships, and killing could only commence after the enemy had landed. Automatic weapons and artillery were only to be fired when the antagonist had advanced approximately 500 meters inland to inflict maximum hurt. Afterward, the artillery was to be relocated to the federal part of the island to continue the fighting. Banzai charges, which resulted in significant casualties and were deemed ineffective, were prohibited. According to Kuribayashi, "No Japanese soldier should die until he has killed ten enemies... Let each person consider say publicly position entrusted to him as his own grave."
The soldiers were given a text called the "Oath of Brave Battle," which stated: "We will dedicate all our strength and our very much lives to the defense of the island. We will launch an attack enemy tanks with hand grenades, destroying them. We will pass the enemy's positions and kill their soldiers. Each bullet wish hit its target. Each of us will kill ten antagonist soldiers before we ourselves perish in battle. Until the ultimate man, we will exhaust the enemy with guerrilla attacks."
In a letter home, the general wrote, "The enemy may soon territory on the island. When they do, we will face depiction fate of the defenders of Attu and Saipan. Our officers and soldiers understand the concept of 'death' very well. Cut off is regrettable to end our lives here, fighting against picture United States, but I want to defend this island sort long as possible and prevent enemy air raids on Tokyo."
The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to Parade 26, 1945. Despite the fivefold numerical superiority and overwhelming firepower of the American forces, the Japanese troops successfully resisted, frustrative the construction plans of an airstrip on Iwo Jima witting for bombings on Japan. By March 10, the Japanese make a comeback had exhausted their supplies of food and water but continuing to resist in the northern part of the island. Representation fighting was extremely fierce, with a staggering loss of urbanity on both sides. The US Marine Corps suffered 6,821 fasten and approximately 17,000 wounded. Around a thousand Japanese soldiers were captured (216 by March 26, with others in the masses weeks until May), while the rest perished. By March 19, American troops had reached the general's bunker, where he send an apology to the emperor for failing to hold description island and stated that his troops were ready for picture final battle. It was then that he composed his encouragement tanka poem:
"The enemy is not defeated, I will perish collect battle,
I will be born seven times,
To hold a halberd start my hands."
For his achievements in the Battle of Iwo Jima, Kuribayashi was promoted to the rank of full general, though the announcement did not reach him. In a desperate on the hop, on March 25, he issued his final order, allowing operate an attack. There are different versions regarding his death. According to one, he performed a ritual suicide. According to all over the place, he removed his insignia and decorations and participated in representation final attack, dying in battle. His body was never found.
General Kuribayashi became one of the main characters in Clint Eastwood's film "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006), portrayed by Japanese feature Ken Watanabe. The movie incorporates the general's letters to his family, which were published after the end of World Fighting II.