Iwo Jima, Battle of

Iwo Jima Memorial, Washington, USA. The Japanese island of Iwo Jima was the scene of heavy fighting during World War II. It was taken by US forces in 1945 in spite of strong resistance by Japanese troops.

Intense fighting between Japanese and US forces 19 February–17 March 1945 during World War II. In February 1945, US marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, a Japanese air base, intending to use it to prepare for a planned final assault on mainland Japan. The 22,000 Japanese troops put up a fanatical resistance but the island was finally secured on 16 March. US casualties came to 6,891 killed and 18,700 wounded, while only 212 of the Japanese garrison survived.