The American military strategy that involved taking strategic islands closer to Japan during World War II is called the Island Hopping Strategy. This approach targeted key islands to establish bases for advancing towards Japan, minimizing American casualties while preparing for the eventual invasion. It was employed from 1943 to 1945 and aimed to bypass heavily fortified islands to secure a pathway to Japan.
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The answer to the question is B. Island Hopping Strategy .
Island Hopping Strategy :
What : The Island Hopping Strategy was a military tactic used by the United States and Allied forces during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. This strategy involved moving forces from one strategically important island to another, gradually moving closer to Japan.
Who : The strategy was primarily employed by the United States military under General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
When : It was utilized during World War II, particularly starting from the Battles of Midway and Guadalcanal in 1942, continuing until the end of the war in 1945.
Where : This strategy was implemented in the Pacific Ocean, targeting islands that were strategically important for military operations and logistics, such as Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Why : The main goal was to bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions, concentrating limited resources on strategically significant islands that were not as well defended but were essential for advancing closer to Japan. By capturing these key islands, the Allies could establish military bases that supported further operations and eventually the planned invasion of Japan.
How : The strategy involved amphibious assaults, naval battles, and air strikes. The US forces would capture an island, build airfields, and use them as bases to launch air attacks on Japanese positions and cut off Japanese supply lines. This method allowed the Allies to maintain momentum while reducing casualties and costs associated with direct assaults on strongly held Japanese defenses.