Jul 1, 2026 · 38 min · 10 segments
In the spring of 1945, The Battle of Iwo Jima raged between the US Marines and Navy, and the Imperial Japanese Army. Tasked with capturing the Japanese island and its accompanying airfields, the US…
Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Ocean Areas, eventually suggested that the US should take the small island, proposing that it act as a precursor to a much larger assault on Okinawa Island, a battle which the Navy was reportedly very keen to carry out.
Iwo Jima was sitting on the most direct route between Japan and the Mariana Islands, which US forces had recently seized.
General Henry Arnold of the US Army Air Force gave his support to the idea of assaulting Iwo Jima, stating that the airbase there could provide support for his bomber formation, known as XX Bomber Command, and removing Japanese forces would eliminate fighter planes that intercepted US assaults.
Iwo Jima was later described as being, "...admirably suitable as a fighter base for supporting long-range bombers." This argument soon won over the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, though Okinawa was deemed the main target on October 2, with commanders and officials believing that the conflict on Iwo Jima would be brief and with few casualties.
On October 7, the plan to capture Iwo Jima was named Operation Detachment, and a preliminary plan was established.
The overarching goal of the conflict was to keep pressure on the Japanese and extend US control across the Western Pacific, while the goals within the operation were to reduce or eliminate naval and air strength on Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands, and to capture, occupy, and defend Iwo Jima, which would subsequently become a US airbase.
Operation Detachment was later described as, quote, the most classical amphibious assault of recorded history, end quote.
And due to its importance, only men who'd proven themselves in previous battles were selected to command the various forces involved.
One such commander was Admiral Raymond Spruance, who'd been involved in the previous Battle of the Philippine Sea, which occurred in June 1944.
Spruance had an exceptionally good reputation amongst his peers, noted as being level-headed during a crisis.
He was nicknamed Electric Brain for his calm nature and is considered one of the greatest admirals in US history.
The first stage of the plan was for the members of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions to land on the eastern beaches, while the 3rd Marine Division would land on the same beaches and help provide support or defense, whichever was necessary.
Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Ocean Areas, eventually suggested that the US should take the small island, proposing that it act as a precursor to a much larger assault on Okinawa Island, a battle which the Navy was reportedly very keen to carry out.
Iwo Jima was sitting on the most direct route between Japan and the Mariana Islands, which US forces had recently seized.
General Henry Arnold of the US Army Air Force gave his support to the idea of assaulting Iwo Jima, stating that the airbase there could provide support for his bomber formation, known as XX Bomber Command, and removing Japanese forces would eliminate fighter planes that intercepted US assaults.
Iwo Jima was later described as being, "...admirably suitable as a fighter base for supporting long-range bombers." This argument soon won over the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, though Okinawa was deemed the main target on October 2, with commanders and officials believing that the conflict on Iwo Jima would be brief and with few casualties.
On October 7, the plan to capture Iwo Jima was named Operation Detachment, and a preliminary plan was established.
The overarching goal of the conflict was to keep pressure on the Japanese and extend US control across the Western Pacific, while the goals within the operation were to reduce or eliminate naval and air strength on Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands, and to capture, occupy, and defend Iwo Jima, which would subsequently become a US airbase.
Operation Detachment was later described as, quote, the most classical amphibious assault of recorded history, end quote.
And due to its importance, only men who'd proven themselves in previous battles were selected to command the various forces involved.
One such commander was Admiral Raymond Spruance, who'd been involved in the previous Battle of the Philippine Sea, which occurred in June 1944.
Spruance had an exceptionally good reputation amongst his peers, noted as being level-headed during a crisis.
He was nicknamed Electric Brain for his calm nature and is considered one of the greatest admirals in US history.
The first stage of the plan was for the members of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions to land on the eastern beaches, while the 3rd Marine Division would land on the same beaches and help provide support or defense, whichever was necessary.
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