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| Sands of Iwo Jima
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Movie Poster
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| Country
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 United States
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| Directed by
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Allan Dwan
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| Release Date
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December 14, 1949
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| Language
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English<
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| Distributor
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Republic Pictures
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Sands of Iwo Jima is the classic 1949 World War II film starring John Wayne as Marine Sgt. John M. Stryker. The film follows Stryker and his platoon as they participate in the battles of Tarawa and Iwo Jima. Filmed on Camp Pendleton in California, the movie featured several veterans of the actual battles as well as actual US Marines stationed at Pendleton.
The following weapons were used in the film Sands of Iwo Jima:
Handguns
Colt M1911A1
The Colt M1911A1 is mainly seen in the holsters of numerous Marines including Stryker (John Wayne).
World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.
The Colt's grip is seen in the holster of the Marine in the foreground.
Rifles
M1903A3 Springfield
The M1903A3 Springfield rifle is used by the Marines during training exercises at the film's beginning.
M1903A3 Springfield - .30-06
M1903A3 Springfield rifle is used by the Marines during training exercises at the film's beginning.
Close up of the M1905 bayonet.
A montage shows the receiver and bolt handle.
M1 Garand
M1 Garands are used by a vast majority of the US Marines in the film, including Sergeant John M. Stryker (John Wayne), Corporal Richard Dunne (Arthur Franz), PFC Peter Conway (John Agar), PFC Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker), PFC Benny Regazzi (Wally Cassell), PFC Charlie Bass (James Brown), PFC Dan Shipley (Richard Webb), PFC Frank Flynn (Richard Jaeckel), PFC Eddie Flynn (William Murphy) and Private 'Ski' Choynski (Hal Fieberling).
M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06
US Marine replacements carry M1 Garands over their shoulders.
PFC Benny Regazzi with his Garand slung.
Choynski with his Garand with fixed bayonet during training.
"You can't learn the easy way, you'll learn the hard way!"Sergeant John M. Stryker conducts a bayonet drill with Private 'Ski' Choynski.
Sergeant Stryker holds his M1 Garand while on Tarawa.
The Garand of PFC Al Thomas resting on the right.
US Marines aiming their rifle on the beach of Iwo Jima.
Stryker empties his Garand at a sniper.
M1 Carbine
US Marines can be seen using the M1 Carbine including Captain Joyce (John McGuire), Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier, who plays himself, and some Marines in the archival footage.
World War II Era
M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WWII, shown with khaki sling and oiler and a period twin magazine pouch for buttstock
On Iwo Jima, Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier (an actual veteran of the battle and one of the Marines to put up the first flag on Mt. Suribachi) holds the M1 Carbine.
The Marine on the left holds his Carbine after clearing out a Japanese foxhole.
The Marine holding the M1 Carbine is PFC Ira Hayes (
Ira H. Hayes), who along with PM2/c John Bradley (middle) and PFC Rene Gagnon (far left) were three of the six actual men reportedly seen in the iconic photograph raising the second flag on Mt. Suribachi. Their story was told in
Clint Eastwood's
Flags of our Fathers.
Arisaka Type 99
Arisaka Type 99 rifles are used by Japanese soldiers on Tarawa and Iwo Jima.
Arisaka Type 99 short rifle with monopod - 7.7x58mm
Japanese soldiers ambush Marines with their Arisaka rifles.
A sniper aims his rifle at Stryker's squad on Iwo Jima.
Machine Guns
M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
PFC George Hellenopolis (Peter Coe) serves as the Squad's M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle gunner. Several other men can be seen using the BAR.
Browning Automatic Rifle M1918 - .30-06
A wounded Marine carries the Browning Automatic Rifle.
PFC George Hellenopolis holds his Bar while taking cover in a trench.
Browning M1919A4
The Browning M1919A4 can be seen mounted on the Marine LVTs and is used by Marines during the Tarawa and Iwo Jima battles.
Browning M1919A4 on an M2 tripod - .30-06 Springfield
An M1919 being fired on Tarawa.
An abandoned Browning on the left.
Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06
In the back, Browning M1919A4's are mounted on the Marine LVT landing on Iwo Jima.
Browning M2HB
The Browning M2HB machine gun is also mounted on the Marine LVTs and is used by the Marines during the Tarawa and Iwo Jima battles.
Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
The M2 seen in the background as the LVT makes its way to land.
The Browning M2 is mounted in the front of the Marine LVT landing on Iwo Jima.
Nambu Type 96
Japanese forces are seen firing the Nambu Type 96 Light Machine Gun as Stryker tries to throw the satchel charges during the battle of Tarawa.
Type 96 Light Machine Gun (minus magazine) - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Two Japanese soldiers in the bunker operate the Type 96.
An unloaded Type 96 seen on the left.
Explosives
Mk II hand grenade
Mk II hand grenades are seen used in a training exercise that nearly turns tragic. They are also carried by Marines as they hit the beach on Tarawa.
A few grenades on the belt of PFC Al Thomas.
Two grenades next to Sgt. Stryker.
The misguided grenade next to Stryker's men.
M37 Satchel Charge
Pfc. 'Handsome' Dan Shipley (Richard Webb) and Sgt. Stryker can be seen with M37 Satchel Charges.
Shipley holds two Satchel charges.
Stryker readies the two charges.
Other
M2 Flamethrower
The M2 Flamethrower is used by Marines to flush out the machine gun bunker on Tarawa.
Marine with the flamethrower on Tarawa.
The
M2 Flamethrower is used by Marines to flush out the machine gun bunker on Tarawa.
M2 Mortar
An M2 Mortar is briefly seen when PFC Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker) goes to the rear to retrieve ammo.
The M2 Mortar seen on the right.
M4 A3 'Sherman'
Type 95 Ha-Go
Trivia
Flag on Iwo Jima
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