Soon, American aircraft and warships begin to appear and bombard the island, causing significant casualties. Saigo suspects that Shimizu is a spy from the Kempeitai sent to report on disloyal soldiers. Kashiwara's replacement, Jōtōhei (Superior Private) Shimizu, arrives for duty. Poor nutrition and unsanitary conditions take their toll many die of dysentery, including Kashiwara. Kuribayashi and Rikugun-Chūsa (Lieutenant Colonel) Baron Takeichi Nishi, a famous Olympic gold medalist show jumper, clash with some of the other officers, who do not agree with Kuribayashi's defense in depth strategy: Kuribayashi believes the US will take the beaches quickly, and that the mountain defenses will have a better chance for holding out. He saves Saigo and his friend Kashiwara from a beating by Rikugun-Tai-i (Captain) Tanida for 'unpatriotic speeches', and orders the men to begin tunneling underground defenses into Mount Suribachi. Meanwhile, Rikugun-Chūjō (Lieutenant General) Tadamichi Kuribayashi arrives to take command of the garrison and immediately begins an inspection of the island defenses. Ittōhei Saigo and his platoon are digging beach trenches on the island. Ittōhei Saigo is an Imperial Japanese soldier serving on Iwo Jima.
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