THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA
The Battle of Iwo Jima was the first crucial battle of World War II to take place on Japanese homeland. It began on February 19, 1945 and lasted until March 26 1945. This battle was fought between the United States and Japan. The U.S fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. The American invasion had the goal of capturing the entire island. Japan was in the process of creating an empire, but the U.S began an island hopping campaign to take some of their islands because of their key locations. The island of Iwo Jima was an ideal location because the United States needed a place for fighter planes and bombers to land and take off when attacking Japan. This five-week battle finished with some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of War World II in the Pacific.
On the first day of the battle 30,000 US marines landed on the shores of Iwo Jima. The first soldiers that landed weren't attacked by the Japanese. The Japanese had dug all sorts of tunnels and hiding places all over the island. 11 miles of tunnels within the island of Iwo Jima were recorded. They were waiting quietly for more marines to get on shore. Once a number of marines were on shore they attacked, and unfortunately many U.S soldiers were killed.
The battle went on for 36 days. The Japanese would move from area to area in their secret tunnels. Sometimes the U.S soldiers would kill the Japanese in a bunker, and would move on thinking it was safe. However, more Japanese soldiers would sneak into the bunker through a tunnel and then attack from behind. The Japanese were clever and devised a great plan by fighting from an elaborate network of caves, dugouts, tunnels and underground installations that were difficult to find and destroy, but they would soon suffer a great loss. Despite the strenuous conditions, the marines managed to wipe out the defending forces after a month of fighting, and the U.S. flag was raised in victory.
This battle was a success. The attack of Iwo Jima was intentionally to allow for sea and air blockades, provide the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment, and destroy the enemy's air and naval capabilities, and the U.S had got what they wanted. However, this accomplishment was not easy. Around 6,800 American soldiers died in this battle and 17,400 were wounded. Although the U.S had more soldiers wounded on Iwo Jima than the Japanese, the Japanese had many more deaths. This was because the Japanese had decided to fight to the death. Out of 18,000 Japanese soldiers only 216 were taken prisoner, while the rest died in the battle. This battle was laborious and exhausting, but it was all worth it in the end.
The Battle of Iwo Jima was the first crucial battle of World War II to take place on Japanese homeland. It began on February 19, 1945 and lasted until March 26 1945. This battle was fought between the United States and Japan. The U.S fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. The American invasion had the goal of capturing the entire island. Japan was in the process of creating an empire, but the U.S began an island hopping campaign to take some of their islands because of their key locations. The island of Iwo Jima was an ideal location because the United States needed a place for fighter planes and bombers to land and take off when attacking Japan. This five-week battle finished with some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of War World II in the Pacific.
On the first day of the battle 30,000 US marines landed on the shores of Iwo Jima. The first soldiers that landed weren't attacked by the Japanese. The Japanese had dug all sorts of tunnels and hiding places all over the island. 11 miles of tunnels within the island of Iwo Jima were recorded. They were waiting quietly for more marines to get on shore. Once a number of marines were on shore they attacked, and unfortunately many U.S soldiers were killed.
The battle went on for 36 days. The Japanese would move from area to area in their secret tunnels. Sometimes the U.S soldiers would kill the Japanese in a bunker, and would move on thinking it was safe. However, more Japanese soldiers would sneak into the bunker through a tunnel and then attack from behind. The Japanese were clever and devised a great plan by fighting from an elaborate network of caves, dugouts, tunnels and underground installations that were difficult to find and destroy, but they would soon suffer a great loss. Despite the strenuous conditions, the marines managed to wipe out the defending forces after a month of fighting, and the U.S. flag was raised in victory.
This battle was a success. The attack of Iwo Jima was intentionally to allow for sea and air blockades, provide the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment, and destroy the enemy's air and naval capabilities, and the U.S had got what they wanted. However, this accomplishment was not easy. Around 6,800 American soldiers died in this battle and 17,400 were wounded. Although the U.S had more soldiers wounded on Iwo Jima than the Japanese, the Japanese had many more deaths. This was because the Japanese had decided to fight to the death. Out of 18,000 Japanese soldiers only 216 were taken prisoner, while the rest died in the battle. This battle was laborious and exhausting, but it was all worth it in the end.