[Coop]

Doubt know the validity of this statistic, but it certainly gives one more food for thought:

After the capture of Iwo Jima, more than 30,000 American Airmen's lives were saved when more than 2,400 disabled B-29 bombers were able to make emergency landings at the Iwo Jima Airfield after making bombing flights over Japan.

http://www.webtravels.com/iwojima/battle.htm

[Coop]

A stat to back up your fine point in my Post #40.

[r9etb]

After the capture of Iwo Jima, more than 30,000 American Airmen's lives were saved when more than 2,400 disabled B-29 bombers were able to make emergency landings at the Iwo Jima Airfield after making bombing flights over Japan.

I knew that the lives lost/lives saved balance was favorable, but I had no idea it was that many!

[RaceBannon]

That is about the same number that Ollie North used in his latest book about how many air crews were saved...as many saved as were casualties on the Island.