Island hopping was an important part of the Allied strategy, which focused on isolating and blocking enemy forces rather than attacking them. This article will examine the effectiveness of the strategy and discuss the costs. Let's first look at how Japan's limited resources contributed to this tactic.
Allied strategy of isolating and blocking rather than attacking
"Island hopping," also known as "leapfrogging," was an Allied strategy developed by the US Navy General Staff in the early twentieth century to control Japan's area of influence in the Western Pacific. Japanese imperial officer studied the strategy and adopted it in their Southeast Asian offensive after it was published by a British journalist. By the end of World War II, "Island hopping" was a common tactic used by Allied troops.
After the Pacific War started, the Allied forces continued to "island hop" around the Pacific, gaining ground and moving closer to mainland Japan. After they had taken Rabaul, and other islands, the Allied forces shifted their attention to the Philippines, Gilbert, and Marshall Islands. These islands were Japanese strongholds. These were the areas that the Allied forces managed to blockade and force Japan into submission.
Success of Allied 'island hopping' campaign
The Allied island hopping strategy proved to be a very efficient strategy in WWI. Leapfrogging, also known, enabled the Allies swiftly and easily to cross the ocean without having to stop at the Japanese. The Japanese were then unable continue with their offensive operations and were ultimately defeated by the United States.
Cost of Allied island hopping’ campaign
In the late 1940s, the United States began the "island-hopping" campaign to capture small islands in the Pacific. It was intended to establish military bases and prepare for an invasion by Japan. While the campaign was a huge success, it was also very expensive. The U.S. military lost more than 6,000 soldiers during the 36-day Battle of Iwo Jima. Nearly 20,000 Japanese men were also lost.
The Allied troops continued their "island hopping” campaign across the Pacific, gaining ground nearer to Japan. Okinawa was Okinawa, the last major island for the Allies. The island was vital to the Allied bombing campaign against mainland Japan.