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Iwo Jima

Context

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako made a rare visit to the tiny Pacific island of Iwo Jima to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)

Duration: February 19 to March 26, 1945.
Operation Objective: To seize the island and use it as a base for bombing mainland Japan.
Forces Involved (Combatants):
- United States: Around 70,000 Marines, supported by 450 naval ships, Army units, and Navy Seabees (combat engineers).
- Imperial Japan: Approximately 21,000 soldiers, deeply entrenched in bunkers and tunnels.
Key Events:
- Feb 23, 1945: American Marines raised the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, symbolizing a major milestone in the battle.
- US Casualties: Over 25,000, including 6,800+ deaths.
- Japanese Casualties: Nearly all 21,000 soldiers killed; only 216 taken prisoner.

About Iwo Jima

The Japanese island of Iwo Jima is part of the Volcano Islands archipelago, or group of islands.
It lies in the western Pacific Ocean, about 760 miles (1,220 kilometers) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.
This small volcanic island is a site of a strategic air base located between the Mariana Islands and Japan.
Area: Just 8 square miles in size.
Today the island is off-limits for civilians and decayed warship parts litter its brown beaches, while rust-covered abandoned tanks sit in lush greenery.

Fact Box: World War II (1939-1945)

Factors Responsible for World War II:
- Treaty of Versailles: harsh conditions imposed on Germany after World War I led to resentment and economic hardship
- Rise of Fascism and Nazism: Dictatorial regimes in Germany (under Hitler) and Italy (under Mussolini) sought expansionist policies.
- Economic Turmoil: The Great Depression exacerbated tensions and weakened international cooperation.
Participating Countries:
- Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan (later joined by others like Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria).
- Allied Powers: United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union (after being invaded by Germany in 1941), China, France (after its liberation). India (as a part of the Allied Nations), sent over two and a half million soldiers to fight under British command against the Axis powers.
Important Locations:
- Europe: Major battles were fought in France (Normandy, Battle of the Bulge), Germany (Berlin), Italy (Anzio, Monte Cassino), and Eastern Europe (Stalingrad).
- Pacific Theater: Significant battles occurred in Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
- North Africa: Key battles were fought in El Alamein and Tobruk.
Outcome:
- Allied Victory: The Allies emerged victorious, leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in Europe, and Imperial Japan in the Pacific.
- Formation of the United Nations: The war led to the creation of the United Nations, aimed at preventing future conflicts through international cooperation.
- Cold War: Tensions between the Soviet Union and Western Allies escalated, leading to the Cold War, characterized by ideological and political rivalries.
- Decolonization: The war hastened the decline of European colonial empires, leading to the independence movements in Asia and Africa.

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GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Iwo Jima

The Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)

About Iwo Jima

Fact Box: World War II (1939-1945)