[DuncanWaring]

But there were ways that these heavily-defended islands could have been bypassed.

Some heavily-defended islands were bypassed.

Iwo, however, was taken because we needed Iwo Jima as an emergency airfield for B-29's that were damaged over the Empire and couldn't make it back to Saipan and Tinian.

Roughly 2000 B-29's (carrying 20,000 crewmen) landed at Iwo.

[68skylark]

So you're saying the attack was a good idea, and the top flag officers deserve credit, not blame, for how it turned out? I'm no big-time expert, so I suppose you may be right.

[68skylark]

Some heavily-defended islands were bypassed.

General MacArthur was known for bypassing the most heavily defended islands. The Navy and Marine Corps were known for the opposite approach -- and they sure payed a huge price.

[68skylark]

I think I meant to type "paid," but my brain isn't working right today.