The Battle Of Iwo Jima

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Madden-Fong 1
Jesse Madden-Fong
Mr. Addiego
8th grade social studies
3 March 2014
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a large scale land battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for the island of Iwo Jima against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Prior to this battle the Japanese had been on the offensive in the war, however now it was their turn to defend their home from invading enemy forces. The battle of Iwo Jima was a turning point in World War II as it was the first attack on Japanese home soil. No foreign invader had ever before marched on Japanese home turf.
Despite its size, Iwo Jima was considered to have great tactical importance for both the Japanese and the Americans in the war as there were three airfields on the island. Under Japan’s control they were being used by Japanese fighter planes to attack American bombers on their flights to bomb Japan. Under American control, the airfields could be used as emergency landing bases for airplanes damaged in bombing raids. They could also be used for fighter planes to escort the bomber planes on their way to Japan once under American control (Hastings 263-269).

Madden-Fong 2
A map of Iwo Jima (Wolny).

America also wanted Iwo Jima because they needed a base near Japans main islands, it would allow for the sea and air blockade of Japan and the ability to conduct air bombardment and to destroy the enemy's air and naval powers.
Knowing that the island was of such importance, the Japanese needed desperately to maintain control of it. There were about twenty two thousand soldiers under the command of Lieutenant General Kuribayashi. These soldiers had had the time to build very strong defensive positions throughout the island. Kuribayashi knew that his...

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... Jima also taught The Americans some important lessons that were used as guidelines for the following Battle of Okinawa and the planned invasion of the Japanese homeland. Because of the casualties taken at Iwo Jima on the first day, it was decided to make the preparatory bombardment the heaviest yet delivered on to any Pacific island yet in the war. Also, in the planning for a potential attack on the Japanese home islands, it was taken into account that around a third of the troops committed to the battle Iwo Jima had been killed or wounded (Alexander 1).

Madden-Fong 9
The battle of Iwo Jima was amongst the bloodiest battles in WWII. The battle raged on for over a month and cost both sides heavy casualties. However prize for the winning side was great as the island of Iwo Jima was a significant advantage for the war effort of the Americans and their allies.

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