Iwo Jima

Like Wake Island Iwo Jima is a map that has been used in earlier versions of Battlefield.

Iwo Jima – In Real Life

Iwo Jima is part of a series of Japanese Volcanic Islands that is roughly 1200 kilometers from mainland Japan. It is predominately flat (which allows for a large airfield), although there is a mountain on the Island (Mount Suribachi) which does reach 166m.

The Island is particularly famous for an image depicting the raising of the American flag (after it's capture) along with the earlier Battle of Iwo Jima.

Currently there is no civilian presence on the Island, however Japanese and American forces do still use the it for military exercises.

The American invasion of Iwo Jima begun on February 19th 1945 and lasted until March 26 that same year. This invasion was major in the Allies Pacific campaign, and the primary mission was to capture the airfields (which would then be used for the attack of Japan itself).

The battle was a difficult one at best, as the Japanese had created many tunnels and fortified the Island well. As the Battle of Iwo Jima was the first attack on the homeland (Japan) the 21000 troops there fought very hard to defend their Island. After the battle 20000 of the troops were killed and only 1000 were taken prisoner.

Eventually the landing location was taken and 6 American marines were able to fly an American flag on top of Mount Suribachi, whilst the battle was still underway. It was this image that then became rather famous after the War. However the battle was not won yet as the Japanese still had a large presence on the Island with many tricks to come.

Late on the night (March 25 1945) the Japanese sent out one large attack to try and take the Island back. They killed many Americans, however failed to take the Island back. Iwo Jima was then classified as secured the next day, and the remaining troops that were still alive begin to come out of the tunnels and caves.

It is the American invasion of Iwo Jima that is depicted in the Battlefield maps of the Island. Generally the Americans start off on a carrier and aim to takeover several Japanese bases on the Island (including the landing beach and airfield).