Notes
-US used these islands to set up their airforce and attack Japan
-Battles for these islands were tough: kamikazes, and all soldiers fought to the death
-Invasion of Japan was estimated to take 1 million Americans, therefore they didn't
-US firebombed Japan
-Japanese didn't surrender
-US used these islands to set up their airforce and attack Japan
-Battles for these islands were tough: kamikazes, and all soldiers fought to the death
-Invasion of Japan was estimated to take 1 million Americans, therefore they didn't
-US firebombed Japan
-Japanese didn't surrender
Summary
This was the first time Japanese soil from before the war was reached. The fighting intensified as the Japanese did everything they could to protect their homeland. Any further measures taken would result in huge casualties for both sides.
Quotes
"There was some return fire from a few of the houses, but the others were probably occupied by civilians – and we didn't care. It was a terrible thing not to distinguish between the enemy and women and children. Americans always had great compassion, especially for children. Now we fired indiscriminately." -An American Infantryman
Subjunctive Question
Could the US have beaten Japan if they had lost the fight for these islands?
This was the first time Japanese soil from before the war was reached. The fighting intensified as the Japanese did everything they could to protect their homeland. Any further measures taken would result in huge casualties for both sides.
Quotes
"There was some return fire from a few of the houses, but the others were probably occupied by civilians – and we didn't care. It was a terrible thing not to distinguish between the enemy and women and children. Americans always had great compassion, especially for children. Now we fired indiscriminately." -An American Infantryman
Subjunctive Question
Could the US have beaten Japan if they had lost the fight for these islands?