Mikaela, Richie, Reyner, Jessica S. Battle of Iwo Jima Mikaela, Richie, Reyner, Jessica S. 1). Who, Where, When & Why 2). Battle Strategies 3). Casualties 4). After the Battle

Who, What, Where, When, Why… The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the fiercest battles ever fought during the Pacific Campaign in WWII. It was fought between America and Japan. The battle, initially thought to last only 5 days, ended up lasting 35 days. The original decision to invade this Japanese island was the American Army Air Force’s belief that the island would become a useful base for long-range fighter escorts. *Pacific Campaign: the fighting between the Allies of WWII and the Empire of Japan during World War II Pacific Campaign: the fighting between the Allies of World War II and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific during World War II

Iwo Jima (orange circle)

Battle Strategies The Japanese were equipped with 13 artillery pieces, 200 light and heavy machine guns, and 4,552 rifles, 120mm coastal artillery guns, 12 heavy anti-aircraft carrier guns, 25mm dual-mount anti-aircraft carrier guns. The Americans started to attack with everything that was available to them: arsenal for shelling the island, main guns, newly-developed rockets, naval guns, and 100 bombers.

Lieutenant General Holland Smith (left) General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (right) The bombing from the Americans did not affect the Japanese position. The island was already well-fortified from shelling. However, since Gen. T.K. expected defeat, he focused on heavy defense and inflicting heavy enemy casualties so the U.S. would reconsider invasion of other Japanese territory.

Casualties There were 21,000 Japanese in the beginning of the battle. Over 20,000 Japanese died 216 Japanese were captured 6,825 Americans died Approximately 20,000 were wounded 494 [Americans] went missing

After the Battle Iwo Jima was the only battle where American casualties exceeded Japan’s. Japanese bushido code of honor along with propaganda portraying American G.I.’s as ruthless animals prevented surrender for many Japanese soldiers. Lots and lots of Medals of Honor awarded to Marines given for the invasion of Iwo Jima because it caused many casualties, and was a very bloody battle.

It leaves some significance, for example: Feb. 19, 1985, 40th anniversary of landing: “Reunion of Honor” The United States Navy has especially made some ships and named it USS Iwo Jima. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery give memories of the U.S. Marines with the statue of the famous picture.

How did this affect WWII? After this Battle, the U.S. was able to attack the Japanese Home Islands. This forced the Japanese to stop annexing other countries such as China and Korea. After this battle, no one has ever lived permanently in Iwo Jima…

3 Discussion Questions: What are the differences between the American battle strategies and Japanese battle strategies? What was the reason that they built the statue of “Raising the flag on Iwo Jima”? What do you think is the Japanese bushido code of honor?

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