IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA

After securing the central Pacific region, the US targets the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, which are in close proximity to mainland Japan.

The Battles of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March) and Okinawa (1 April

– 22 June) are incredibly costly for the US Marines, and the value of their occupation is later called into question.

Two Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during fighting at Wana Ridge in the Battle of Okinawa, May 1945