Iwo Jima: How did the Japaneses lose the battle of Iwo Jima?

Essay by Bendat73High School, 10th gradeA-, May 2007

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HistoryOn December 7 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack on a military port in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Shortly after Japan and America began to fight in the Pacific theatre. One of the most famous battles between Japan and America was the battle of Iwo Jima. This battle had many important strategic opportunities for America; due to its big air base and its location 1200 kilometres from Tokyo. Japan knew that America wanted the island but they intended to fight until the death. Iwo Jima was no doubt going to be a hard battle. This essay will follow the preparations for the battle and the outcome.

During the early 20th century Japan was still expanding and becoming ever more powerful. After the Treaty of Versailles Japan gained more land and power. Japan was becoming arrogant in the early 1930’s; they left the League of Nations and began to make treaties with Germany.

Japan began to attack China in the north and allied with the Germans and Italians under the Axis alliance. Japan seeing an opportunity allied with the axis powers and set out to expand their influence even further. Shortly after Japan started their attack on America and the pacific war began.

The battle of Iwo Jima was an important battle for both the Americans and the Japanese. The Japanese knew that the island was a prime target due to its distance form Japan and other pacific islands. The Americans were ready to come at full force and give the Japanese every thing they had. Japan began very early preparations appointing Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. His plan was to build up and hold off the Americans as long as possible. The Japanese planed and executed a plan to fight almost all of the battle underground in pillboxes and turrets.