THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA:its significance, and how it affected the outcome of the

war

Isabel

Nicholas

IBH2 European History

Ms. Gifford

TABLE OF CONTENTS• INTRODUCTION• BACKGROUND

– PLANNING AND INITIATION

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BATTLE– TO THE U.S.A.– TO JAPAN

• THE BATTLE• AFTERMATH• EVALUATION• CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

http://xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/lacru/_p/prog/Anti-Japan2.jpg

BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

It was a most depressing thought that we had no available means left for the

exploitation of the strategical opportunities which might from time to

time occur in the course of these operations.

BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

“If America’s casualties are high enough,

Washington will think twice before launching

another invasion against Japanese

territory”

BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

1. Japanese fought underground. Dug 1,500 rooms into the rock, connected with 16 miles of tunnel.

2. “No Japanese survivors”

3. “Before you are killed, you must first kill at least 10 American soldiers”

SIGNIFICANCE

650 milesfrom Tokyo

BetweenJapan andAmericanbomber basesin theMarinaras

SIGNIFICANCE: JAPAN

• One of the last lines for Japan defense against US bombing campaign

• Gave a 2 hour advance warning to the mainland for incoming planes.

• Japanese forces on the island threatened US planes and base in Saipan.

SIGNIFICANCE: USA

• Landing, refueling, training station for bombers going toward Japan

• Land/sea rescue for downed US planes

• Considered as an emergency landing base for B-29’s carrying the atomic bomb as planes were prone to engine failures

THE BATTLED-Day, February 19th 1945: Shortly

before 2am

THE BATTLE8:30am: “Land the Landing Force!”

Each Marine was always in the range of a Japanese gun.

AFTERMATH

• US casualties greater than Japanese casualties

• US suffered 6,800 deaths out of 26,000 total casualties

• The 2 hours leeway for Japan had been removed; this resulted in increased efficiency for bombing campaigns for the USA

EVALUATION

For the USA, was it worth it?

EVALUATION

Several factors:

1) The number of casualties and wounded2) Overall financial expenditure3) The use of Iwo Jima after it was taken

• As a US base between areas of refuel and attack

• Those saved by the proximity of Iwo Jima

4) The psychological benefits

EVALUATION

“One wonders if the same sort of airbase

could not have been reached by

acquiring other strategic localities at a

lower cost…”- General William Pratt

EVALUATION

The losses of Iwo Jima formed the basis for a“reverence for the Marine Corps” that not onlyembodied the “American national spirit” butalso ensured the “institutional survival” of theMarine Corps.

- Publishers of The Ghosts of Iwo Jima (written by Captain Robert Burrell)

EVALUATION

CONCLUSION

Significance

• Geographical

• US casualties greater than that of opponent’s

Effect on outcome of WWII:

• The answer to our question, was it worth it?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alexander, Joseph. "Battle of Iwo Jima". HistoryNet. Febuary 2000. 29 August 2010. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-iwo-jima.htm/3

Battle of Iwo Jima. 2004. World War II Database. 1 September 2010. <http:// ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=12>

Burrell, Robert S. 2006. The Ghosts of Iwo Jima. College Station: Texas A&M University Press

Dawson, Rick. "The Battle of Iwo Jima". Article Myriad. 2007. 29 August 2010. <http://www.articlemyriad.com/57.htm>

Justification for Iwo Jima's invasion. 2007. 30 September 2010. http://www.historynet.com/worth-the-cost-justificaton-of-iwo-jima-invasion.htm/3

"Map of Iwo Jima". Photo. 2002. 30 August 2010.< http://www.foxvalleyhistory.org/WWII/1945/map-iwo-jima.htm>

Rosenthal, Joe. "Raising the Flag Over Iwo Jima, 1945". Photo. EyeWitness to History. 1980. 30 August 2010. <http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/iwoflag.htm>