USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -This practice-skipping over heavily fortified islands in order to seize lightly defended locations that could support the next advance-became known as island hopping. As Japanese strongholds were isolated, defenders were left to weaken from starvation and disease.

Detailed explanation-2: -In June 1942, the US emerged from the Battle of Midway with naval superiority in the Pacific. General MacArthur and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz seized the initiative, launching an ‘Island Hopping’ campaign.

Detailed explanation-3: -The “island hopping” plan involved winning battles on Pacific islands to gain military bases and moving across the Pacific Ocean and closer to Japan. This strategy would span three years and would take U.S. forces in almost a full circle around the Pacific.

Detailed explanation-4: -Battle of Tarawa The initial move of the island-hopping campaign came in the Gilbert Islands when U.S. forces struck Tarawa Atoll. The capture of the island was necessary as it would allow the Allies to move on to the Marshall Islands and then the Marianas.