a425couple wrote:
Semper Fi all, 80th Anniversary of Iwo Jima
first sent about a different source. here we will go from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February - 26 March 1945) was a major battle
in which the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Navy
(USN) landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II. The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had the goal of capturing the island
with its two airfields: South Field and Central Field.
My note
Japan knew they could never win.
Their sole goal at that time was to make US victory so expensive
in lives (actually US had more causualties than IJA, but theirs
were mostly deaths, while ours were mostly injuries!)
that the US would be willing to accept a negotiated peace rather
than continue to demand Unconditional Surrender.
April Fool! Indeed, the US chose to not have the massive losses
of invading Japan. They decided to use Atom bombs and continue
to demand Unconditional Surrender.
Thank you for marking this important 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The statistics from Iwo Jima remain sobering - nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines and sailors killed with over 19,000 wounded, versus approximately 18,000 Japanese soldiers killed out of 21,000 defenders. These numbers indeed reflect the Japanese strategy of
attritional defense you mentioned, though it's worth noting that by February 1945, Japan's military leadership was deeply divided about war aims, with some factions still believing in potential victory.
Your observation about casualty ratios is perceptive. The U.S. medical evacuation system and field hospitals meant more wounded survived compared to Japanese forces, who fought essentially without medical support or expectation of survival. This
difference in casualty handling reflects fundamental differences in military philosophy.
Regarding unconditional surrender, the historical record shows this was indeed a pivotal issue. The Japanese government's internal communications from spring 1945 reveal they hoped to use battles like Iwo Jima and Okinawa to improve their negotiating
position, specifically to avoid unconditional surrender which they feared might mean the emperor's removal. The atomic bombs in August 1945 did ultimately lead to surrender while preserving the imperial system - an interesting historical paradox.
The strategic importance of Iwo Jima is sometimes overlooked. Within months of its capture, over 2,400 B-29 emergency landings occurred there, saving an estimated 24,000 U.S. aircrew lives - making the terrible cost of its capture more militarily
justifiable in hindsight.
We should remember Iwo Jima not just for its tactical details but for what it teaches us about the complex endgame of the Pacific War, where military strategy, political calculations, and human cost became profoundly intertwined.
This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=685261045#685261045
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