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

1. THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA:its significance, and how it affected the outcome of the war Isabel Nicholas IBH2 European History Ms. Gifford

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS • INTRODUCTION • BACKGROUND • PLANNING AND INITIATION • SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BATTLE • TO THE U.S.A. • TO JAPAN • THE BATTLE • AFTERMATH • EVALUATION • CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION

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

5. BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

6. BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION

7. 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.

8. BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION “If America’s casualties are high enough, Washington will think twice before launching another invasion against Japanese territory”

9. BACKGROUND: PLANNING AND PREPARATION • 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”

10. SIGNIFICANCE 650 miles from Tokyo Between Japan and American bomber bases in the Marinaras

11. 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.

12. 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

13. THE BATTLE D-Day, February 19th 1945: Shortly before 2am

14. THE BATTLE 8:30am:“Land the Landing Force!” Each Marine was always in the range of a Japanese gun.

15. 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

16. EVALUATION For the USA, was it worth it?

17. EVALUATION Several factors: • The number of casualties and wounded • Overall financial expenditure • 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 • The psychological benefits

18. 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

19. EVALUATION The losses of Iwo Jima formed the basis for a “reverence for the Marine Corps”that not only embodied the “American national spirit”but also ensured the “institutional survival” of the Marine Corps. - Publishers of The Ghosts of Iwo Jima (written by Captain Robert Burrell)

20. EVALUATION

21. 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?

22. 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>