The invasion of Iwo Jima came from a need to a U.S. Naval base to be put near the coast of Japan. Three U.S. Marine divisions landed on the island in February of 1945, after air and naval bombings through the use of 6,800 tons of bombs and 22,000 shells . They were going to be tested by 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops, who hid themselves in caves, dug outs, tunnels, and other underground installations. It took the U.S. marines a month to wipe out the Japanese forces.
During the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Japanese changed their defense tactics, as their trop no longer defended the beach rather but focused more on inland areas. Because of this, the marines experienced success at first, only to run into heavy fire from the Japanese deeper the got into the island. Of the 23,000 Japanese soldiers, only 1,083 were prisoners, and the rest were killed, because of their refusal to surrender. For the Americans, the loss toll was at 5,900 dead and 17,400 wounded.
Along with the legacy of the Battle of Iwo Jima, comes an infamous photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal, as 5 marines raised the American flag on Mt. Suribachi , showing that this island was now in the hands of the United States.
Map of the Island of Iwo Jima and marked Japanese defensive installations to help prepare for invasion