Why Iwo Jima? Why was so much military effort expended by both sides on this insignificant speck in the Pacific Ocean? One of three little islands in the Volcano Group, 750 miles from Tokyo, it had little remaining strategic value to Japan, though a considerable force was still deeply embedded there, in its natural volcanic caves and tunnels. If the Americans could capture it, however, then it could be used as a base for fighters escorting the long-range bombers already attacking the Japanese mainland from their bases in the Marianas Islands, too far away for the fighters. So on 16 February, this tiny island was hit by the largest sustained bombardment on a single target in military history, nine battleships firing unceasingly for three days. 19 February saw a massive invasion of the small beaches, and intense defence by the Japanese. 26 days of desperate hand to hand battle between the US Marines and the fanatical defenders, under continuous bombardment by the fleet offshore would result in tiny advances, maybe only yards at a time. The massive effort eventually reduced the Japanese garrison to three small pockets by 10 March, and six days later the last organised resistance ended. This victory has been won at enormous cost. The US V Marine Corps alone has suffered 4,189 dead, 441 missing and 15,308 wounded, and there have also been many casualties among the naval forces. The toll of Japanese has been even greater, estimated at 21,000 dead and 700 taken prisoner. The Oxford Diecast Headlines Allied Forces Close on Berlin made of Diecast Metal/Mazak is Number SC010 in the range.
