Answer to Question #157375 in History for Chris

Question

Why would the strategy of "Island Hopping" be necessary based on the Pacific's geography?

Answer 1

Island hopping entailed taking over an island and establishing a military base there. Leapfrogging would allow U.S. forces to reach Japan more quickly and not expend the time, manpower, and supplies to capture every Japanese-held island on the way. Similarly, it assisted the U.S. to gain control of the Pacific Ocean, American forces used a strategy of capturing some Japanese-held islands and going around others. This was the island hopping campaign, because each island that was captured, was another stepping stone to Japan.