Here are some of the most striking landing photos to me:
This is from the landing on Guam. The original caption reads: "First flag on Guam on boat hook mast. Two U.S. officers plant the American flag on Guam eight minutes after U.S. Marines and Army assault troops landed on the Central Pacific island on July 20, 1944."
This is another famous D-day shot. Not a real pleasant thought having to wade through water toward people who are shooting at you. Makes me think of what a terrible time the 2d Marine Division had at Tarawa.
As a communications guy, I had to chuckle at the reel of wire left in the craft. I can just see the soldier saying, "I ain't gonna get bogged down with that heavy P.O.S.!!!"
I don't know if this is a "landing" photo. It is from Okinawa where the main fighting happened inland and not at the beaches. I don't know the whole backstory but it is a very striking photo.
The original caption of this photo: "I drew an assault boat to cross in--just my luck. We all tried to crawl under each other because the lead was flying around like hail." Crossing the Rhine under enemy fire at St. Goar. March 1945.
Of course we have discussed this image before on the forum here.
Of course the Capa shots are all great. To think of the shots that were ruined just kills me as a militaty man, photographer, and WWII buff.
And as a special bonus, here is one from the Korean War - specifically, the Inchon Landing:
Here is the caption from the Naval Historical Center Website (a great site, by the way):
First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, USMC, leads the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines over the seawall on the northern side of Red Beach, as the second assault wave lands, 15 September 1950. Wooden scaling ladders are in use to facilitate disembarkation from the LCVP that brought these men to the shore.
Lt. Lopez was killed in action within a few minutes, while assaulting a North Korean bunker.
Note M-1 Carbine carried by Lt. Lopez, M-1 Rifles of other Marines and details of the Marines' field gear
Here is Lt Lopez's page at the Medal of Honor Society site.