USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Given this information, American military leaders planned an attack on the island that they believed would last no more than a few days. However, the Japanese had secretly embarked on a new defensive tactic, taking advantage of Iwo Jima’s mountainous landscape and jungles to set up camouflaged artillery positions.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Battle of Iwo Jima On Iwo Jima, site of a strategic air base located between the Mariana Islands and Japan, the Japanese carved out a network of underground fortifications aimed at turning the small volcanic island into a death trap for invading US Marines.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Japanese defenders of the island were dug into bunkers deep within the volcanic rocks. Approximately 70, 000 U.S. Marines and 18, 000 Japanese soldiers took part in the battle. In thirty-six days of fighting on the island, nearly 7, 000 U.S. Marines were killed. Another 20, 000 were wounded.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Americans had 26, 000 casualties, including 6, 800 killed; of 20, 000 Japanese soldiers, only 1, 083 survived. The miles of tunnels dug by the Japanese, some sinking six levels deep, criss-crossed the island underground, making it hard for the marines to pinpoint their enemy.