Battle of Iwo Jima

Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most costly battles of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought in February and March 1945 on the island of Iwo Jima. More than 6,000 United States Marines lost their lives in capturing the island from the Japanese; Japanese losses were estimated at about 20,000. The conquest of the island provided American air units with the first base inside the Japanese inner-defence system from which to attack the heart of industrial Japan with medium bombers escorted by fighters.

Before the actual invasion on February 19, the island was subjected to air and sea bombardment for three months. In spite of the pre-invasion assault, some Japanese were still firmly entrenched in underground fortifications in the soft volcanic soil. The marines secured the island after a month of the most severe fighting in their history. Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island and an important defence position, was captured on February 23. The campaign was officially declared ended on March 16.