Why did the Japanese fight so hard at iwo Jima?

Answer 1

There are two reasons why America wanted to capture Iwo Jima. There were two airstrips on Iwo Jima and the Americans could use those to land broken B-29's that needed repairing. The other reason is that If the Americans are going to bomb Japan, Iwo Jima would inform the main land of Japan and form a counter-strike. It was mandatory for the americans to take Iwo Jima, because if they didn't Hiroshima and Nagasaki would have been failures.

Answer 2

In order to defeat the Japanese and put and end to WWII the US had to get their air support past the islands surrounding Japan. Iwo Jima and island in the Pacific was 2 hours away from Japan and was covered in anti-air defenses. Because of this the US could not get past very easily but if the US were to posses the Island than it would be ideal for launching air attacks from.

Answer 3

In early 1945, American forces had hopped from island to island across thousands of miles of ocean and were closing in on Japan. They identified the little island of Iwo Jima as a prime target for four reasons:

1. Iwo Jima, located midway between Japanese and American bomber bases and only 650 miles from Tokyo, was an ideal location for the United States to base operations.

2. Its three airfields could be used by fighter planes trying to protect the larger B-29 bombers.

3. Damaged ships could have a base to land for refuel and repair (rather than having the crash into the ocean in the event of a failed mission)

4. Taking Iwo Jima would mean eliminating another support of the Japanese defense, as well as the possibility of an early warning station.

Answer 4

1. Iwo Jima was the beginning of actual Japanese terrritory. 2. The mission of the defenders on Iwo Jima, was to buy time with their lives, so that the Homeland (Fatherland/Motherland) would have more time to prepare their defences. 3. If the US/Allied casualties were high enough, reconsideration on the part of the US/Allies might alter any invasion plans for the Homeland. (Which did occur during the Okinawa invasion, which came after Iwo Jima).

Answer 5

The Japanese were under orders to fight to the end . The Japanese felt that surrender was not in keeping with the Code of Bushido . They fought to the death because the Americans were getting closer to the Japanese homelands and if the US suffered enough casualties then they may reconsider the term of an unconditional surrender .

Answer 6

The battle of Iwo Jima had to be fought there. As stated before, we were island hopping trying to get closer to Japan and we needed a close airbase. Plus, Iwo Jima was a major stronghold for the Japanese and a major Air Base, where there pilots could intercept our pilots from.

Answer 7

cause u.s was planning on bombing iwo jima and they found out

Answer 8

It meant that the allies were getting closer to japan because they were island hopping trying to get to Japan undetected.