Island-hopping, was a military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan. Starting from Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands, US troops targeted islands that were not as strongly defended by the Japanese. They took control of those islands one at a time, and quickly constructed landing strips and small military bases. Then they proceeded to attack other islands from the bases they had established. Slowly the US army moved closer and closer to Japan. The ultimate goal was to reach Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the islands nearest to Japan. From Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the United States could launch airstrikes against mainland Japan.
Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
In February 1945 US troops invaded Iwo Jima; the first American landing on Japanese territory. Lasting 36 days, It was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific In this battle 6, 381 Americans died and nearly 20,000 Japanese soldiers perished. The US soldiers were not used to the guerilla style of fighting in the Jungle landscapes of these Pacific Islands, and the Japanese had the advantage of controlling many of the islands. Further, many US soldiers succumbed to illnesses such as malaria, dysentery and skin fungus.
In April came the invasion of Okinawa, the bloodiest battle of the war in the Pacific. The initial invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945, was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. IN the 86 day long battle that followed at least 75,000 American and 100,000 Japanese perished.
In April came the invasion of Okinawa, the bloodiest battle of the war in the Pacific. The initial invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945, was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. IN the 86 day long battle that followed at least 75,000 American and 100,000 Japanese perished.