History glossary
Iwo Jima
the volcanic island battle in 1945 that showed the cost of closing in on Japan.
- Category
- Battle
- Region
- Pacific
- Date range
- 1945
What it means
Iwo Jima was a small volcanic island captured by U.S. forces in 1945 after intense fighting. Its airfields had operational value, and the battle became a warning of how fiercely Japan might defend positions near the home islands.
Stories using this term
Imperial Japan
From Meiji modernisation to colonial rule, militarism, mobilisation and defeat, Imperial Japan rose as a modern empire before collapsing in 1945.
The Pacific War
From imperial expansion in Manchuria to surrender in 1945, the Pacific War remade Asia through conquest, occupation, naval warfare, and devastating defeat.
