The Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII - Research Paper Example

The battle of Iwo Jima War does not determine who is right-only who is left. (Bertrand Russell) Abstract The battle of Iwo jima was one of the most tragic and expensive during WW11.It was fought between Japanese empire and United States of America on a small but strategically important island ruled by Japan. This research paper suggests if the war was just. War seemed to be inevitable from both sides, but consequences decide and reveal the truth. Introduction One of the most deadliest and fierce battles of WW 11, Iwo Jima took place in February and March 1945. Iwo Jima is a small island of about 8 square miles, meaning Sulphur Island. It is a part of Bonin chain of island in south of the main Japanese island of Honshu. It is a barren island with no source of drinkable water and an inactive volcano. It was a battle of geo strategic importance for America and Japan as well. The objective is to take control of the small but very important island. The battle was considered being a short one initially, but it was fiercest of was on both sides; United States lost almost 7,000 troops and Japanese suffered the lost of 21,000.US took over the control of island after a 63 day deadly war, but Iwo Jima is considered to be the most intense display of military might during WW11.US enjoyed her victory and Iwo Jim’s crucial position in later military actions in Pacific. It was the first land assault on Japanese home territory. Marine losses were 6,821 killed and 19,217 wounded or more than 30% of the force committed. Only 1,083 Japenese prisoners survived the battle, and more than 20,000 were killed (Burrel, 2006). Significance of fighting for Iwo Jima Iwo Jima battle was the 1st main attack Japanese territory. The island was of great importance for both US and Japan. There are some of the main reasons of fighting for Iwo Jima. Strategic necessity There were many reasons for the battle but most important was the significant strategic position of Iwo Jima for both sides. It was crucial for US to provide mainland on Japanese territory for P-51 fighter escorts for the B-29 raids. It served as an emergency airfield for B-29; as it was almost halfway between their bases and Japan. Iwo Jima proved to be a significant airstrip for emergency landings (Burrel, 2006). Japanese didn’t want to be taken as an easy enemy, so they fought hard for the island and their determined efforts halt the US bombing campaign. Island was located under the flight of B-29 bombers; it was the main position for Japanese to regulate action for incoming attacks. The radar capability of Japan enabled them to predict about US attacks (Burrel, 2006). Island was a threat to the success of US bombing campaign. Japan destroyed many B-29 when attacking from island. Japan was aware of the future of conflict and their key points for successful resistance. On the other hand Americans were tired of constant and fearless resistance resulting destruction and deaths.Japanese forces equipped the island with airstrips which can allow US to much safer access to the bombing targets. Both size and location of island were important as, it could serve as the convenient place of resting and refueling station. Position in Pacific United States need to advance and achieve a much stronger position in Pacific. For achieving the target US needs to get control of the three airfields made by Japanese. One was single strips which never become operational and other two were in the form of X and were about 5,225 and 4,425 feet (Ross, 1986). Flag Rising The battle of Iwo Jima has long lasting impressions on the minds of people in US and Japan. People of US remember this as a heroic example. The flag rising has become the symbol of the spirits of Corps to all US Marines. It is a famous photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal which shows six Americans raising the American flag on the summit, when they took control of the Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi and continued their bombing campaign for future victory. A bronze monument of flag rising was sculpted in 1954 and dedicated to Marines who sacrificed for their lives for their country (Ross, 1986). Richard M Nixon said, “The statue is a symbol of dreams and hopes of America and real purpose of our foreign policy” (qtd in Ross 1986, pg. 78). Japan in the Battlefield This image has become iconic for heroism in the minds of US people. It is easily forget that this was a victory of military strength. Japan fought hard and resisted for a month without any assistance of naval or air sources. They hold much larger US force back; which was equipped with naval and air base and highly sophisticated communication system. Though, their victory was not certain but Japanese resisted merely on the basis of their foresightedness, strategic planning and originality (Ross, 1986). Analysis Today when we think about Japanese and Americans fighting fiercely and attacking each other, we neglect thousand of human dieing and hundreds of families losing their loved ones and it were just for getting control of a tiny island. There arise a question in our minds that why this battle was so important? It seems that the battle was inevitable as US wanted victory; they need Iwo Jima’s airfields for advancement which was crucial in their plan of action. On the other hand, of course, Japan had to defend their land against enemy. Invasion of US forces is known as “Operation Detachment”. No one was initially aware of the longevity and high causality rate. It was considered a small part of the battle, but well planned Japanese resistance made it more aggressive and prolonged (Wheeler, 1994). Japanese adopted a unique strategy to defend. They didn’t fight above the battle field but under the Americans. They carved 1,500 rooms into the rocks and made a 16 miles tunnel to connect. A very strange thing, they call for “no Japanese survivors” .They were there to be killed for defending their territory. They planned their killing and every soldier was expected to kill 10 Americans before being killed. US had never imagined the difficulty they would be facing on island as they were easily defeated in other places; Saipan, Tarawa and Peleiu (Wheeler, 1994). ”US underestimated the causalities by 80 percent. In the end battle was won but over a third part of total Marines who participated in the invasion were killed, wounded or suffered from battle fatigue” (qtd in Wheeler 1994, pg. 91). US air attacks on Iwo Jima were proved to be unproductive and unnecessary. There were number of reasons which were given to rationalize and justify the tragic battle, but the truth is, the cost of fighting this battle is more than its worth. Battle from American perspective United State wanted to stop Japanese from halting their bombing campaign. To use Japanese airfields, for striking main lands of Japan; from Micronedian island of Tinian. For getting a better position is Pacific Ocean and better hold on the region, as it was the best stopping place between the key islands in Pacific (Sprietsma, 1984). For using island, as refueling and repairing station of US bomber aircrafts. For the enhancement of existing US submarine obstruction from Japan’s land and air force. For the conduction of intensive air bombardment campaign for Japan’s naval and air potential. Japanese perspective Symbolic importance Battle was crucial because it was the strongest point of Japanese defense. Iwo Jima was symbolically very important island because it was Japanese soil administrated by the Tokyo metropolitan government. No foreign force or invasion has been occurred on Japanese soil in 4000 years (Sprietsma, 1984). Defeat at Iwo Jima meant the loss of battle for Japan. Infect the invasion in Okinawa, resulting in the invasion of Japan herself was not considered far off. Military Importance Military importance due to the Island’s size, location and geography Iwo Jima serving as a base for regulating US bomber attacks Preemptive strike resulting destruction and deaths of US force Conclusion In my opinion battle of Iwo Jima was certainly an unjust war. Its objective was tyranny, despotism and greed. It was tragic and cost both lives and wealth on both sides. Japanese lost their territory and thousands of lives. United States on the other hand couldn’t get the desired objective as well as. Flag rising, in my opinion is not a genuine patriotic activity, but propaganda drive which was organized to satisfy civil society. US fought the battle for strategic reasons which later proved to be in favor of Japanese; US military and public perceived Japanese as a strong nation forever. References 1. Bill D. Ross,Iwo Jima: Legacy of Vlaor. Vintage books,1986. 2. Charles F Sprietsma, Analysis of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Air command and staff college: Air University, 1984. 3. Richard Wheeler, Iwo.Naval Institute Press,1994 4. Robert S. Burrel,The ghost of Iwo Jima. Texas A&M University Press: Texas, 2006. Read More