Information on the Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a pivotal battle of the Pacific Theater in World War II, as the Allied powers fought Japan for control of the island. The battle began on February 19, 1945.
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Background
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At 4.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, Iwo Jima is an incredibly small island. However, Iwo Jima held great importance from a strategic standpoint. The Allies wanted to use the island as both an area for emergency landings while raiding Japan, and as a launching area for fighter planes escorting bombers.
Defense
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Led by Lieutenant General Kuribayashi, the Japanese army had heavy defense waiting for the Allied forces on Iwo Jima, including more than 21,000 soldiers, 13,000 yards of tunnels, and hundreds of defense installations.
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Offense
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Heavy bombing from battleships and air raids preceded the battle. The invasion itself, called Operation Detachment, deployed 30,000 Marines on land, with tank support arriving on the second day of battle.
The Battle
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The Battle of Iwo Jima proved one of the war's bloodiest, as Marines drew heavy fire from Japanese soldiers at the island's Mount Suribachi. The soldiers reached the top of the mountain on February 23, raising the American flag.
End of Battle
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The battle continued for a month, until Iwo Jima was finally declared secure on March 26, 1945, at the cost of almost 7,000 Allied lives. On the Japanese side, only 1,000 of the 21,000 soldiers were taken alive.
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