This was a fierce battle on a small Pacific Island in February-March of 1945 that took place against Japanese forces. The US gained a key military airstrip as a result.
This battle was the Battle of Iwo Jima, fought from February 19 to March 26, 1945. The island of Iwo Jima was heavily fortified by the Japanese, who were determined to hold onto it at all costs. The battle was fierce and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.
The US Marines ultimately prevailed, securing the island and its important airfield. The battle was a turning point in the Pacific War, providing a strategic base for American bombers to carry out attacks on Japan. The iconic photograph of US Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle has become one of the most famous images of World War II.