[rcocean]

I respect your opinion, but disagree. I hate to repeat the large number of posts, but possession of Iwo Jima enabled us to provide P-51 escort for the B-29's, a landing strip for damaged bombers and bombers low on fuel, and denied the Japs the use of a early warning base.

Without Iwo, not only would the B-29 losses been much higher, but we would had lose even more planes bombing the island so as stop the Japs from using it to launch fighter attacks.

The problem was the excessive losses due to (a) FDR refused to approve the use of poison gas to take the island; (b) intelligence underestimated the number of Japanese soldiers & artillery/mortars on the island. (c)
the operation was sandwiched between the invasion of Luzon and Okinawa, thereby limiting the Naval Gunfire support and (d) not enough heavy artillery (155mm) and tank support was provided to the Marines.

[OldSgt.]

"The problem was the excessive losses due to "

Fact is, it don't matter anymore, that was then. this is now.

Just like Nam, that the troops are being supported by the public now has nothing to do with them not supporting us back when.

and as for the Author of the article. what an idiot!

[OldSgt.]

"The problem was the excessive losses due to "

Fact is, it don't matter anymore, that was then. this is now.

Just like Nam, that the troops are being supported by the public now has nothing to do with them not supporting us back when.

and as for the Author of the article. what an idiot!