1944 31 January-7 February U.S. forces invade and capture Majuro and Kwajalein Atolls, Marshall Islands in first offensive against Japanese territory. 17-22 February U.S. forces invade and occupy Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. 29 February-28 March Admiralties invaded and main islands captured by U.S. Army troops. 22 April U.S. troops land at Aitape and Hollandia in northern New Guinea. 15 June China-based B-29's bomb Kyushu Island in first Superfort attack on Japan. 15 June-9 July U.S. Marines and Army troops invade and capture Saipan in the Marianas. 15 June U.S. Navy carrier task force strikes Volcano-Bonin Islands in first raid on these groups. 19-20 June First Battle of the Philippine Sea: Japanese Navy suffers severe losses. 24 June and 4 July U.S. Navy carrier task force again bombards Volcano-Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima. 21 July-10 August U.S. Marines and Army troops invade and recapture Guam, Marianas Islands. 23 July-1 August U.S. Marines assault and seize Tinian, Marianas Islands. 15 September U.S. Army troops land on Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, and capture airfield on that island. 15-17 September U.S. Marines and Army troops assault Peleliu and Angaur in the Palau Islands. 23 September U.S. Army troops seize Ulithi as advance naval base. 3 October JCS directive orders occupation of one or more positions in the Nanpo Shoto (Volcano-Bonins). 9 October Admiral Nimitz informs General Smith that Iwo Jima it to be the Nanpo Shoto objective. 20 October U.S. Army troops invade Leyte to open the Philippines Campaign. 23-26 October Second Battle of the Philippine Sea (Battle for Leyte Gulf). 11-12 November U.S. Navy surface forces rock Iwo Jima with heavy bombardment.
1944 24 November B-29's conduct first Marianas-based attack on Tokyo; first raid by land-based aircraft on Japanese capital. 8 December U.S. Navy surface units shell Iwo Jima. 15 December U.S. Army units land on Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands. 24-27 December U.S. Navy surface units bombard Volcano-Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima. 1945 5 January U.S. Navy vessels shell Iwo Jima. 9 January U.S. Sixth Army invades Luzon. 24 January Powerful U.S. naval surface force bombards Iwo Jima. 3 February American troops re-enter Manila. 15-16 February V Amphibious Corps Landing Force departs Marianas after final rehearsals for assault on Iwo Jima. 16 February Admiral Mitscher's Fast Carrier Force (TF 58) launches 2-day air strike against Honshu to divert attention from Iwo Jima operation. 16-18 February Amphibious Support Force (TF 52) conducts preparation bombardment of Iwo Jima with aircraft and gunfire. 19 February The 4th and 5th Marine Division assault Iwo Jima and gain foothold. 21 February The 21st Marines (VAC Reserve) committed in 4th Division zone of action. Japanese Kamikaze air attack made on support ships off Iwo Jima.
23 February American Flag raised atop Mount Suribachi by the 28th Marines. 25 February The 3d Marine Division (less 3d Marines) committed in battle for Iwo. General unloading of cargo begins.
27 February The 3d Division overruns Airfield Number 2, Hills PETER and 199-OBOE. 28 February American Army troops invade Palawan, Philippine Islands. 2 March Marines of the 5th Division overrun Hill 362A. 3 March Marines of the 3d Division clear Airfield Number 3. 4 March First B-29 lands on Iwo Jima. 6 March 15th Fighter Group (USAAF) arrives on Iwo Jima with P-51's and P-61's. 7 March Major General James E. Chaney (USA), Island Commander, assumes responsibility for island base development, air defense, and airfield operation. 3d Division makes predawn attack against Hill 362C. Hill captured later in the day.
8 March Japanese night counterattack (night of 8-9 March) repulsed by 4th Division. 9 March General Holland M. Smith's expeditionary Troops (TF 56) Command Post transfers from Eldorado to Auburn and Admiral Turner and staff on board Eldorado leave for Guam. Task Forces 51, 52, 53, 54, and 56 all disbanded. Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill assumes duties of Senior Officer Present Afloat, Iwo Jima. 3d Division patrols reach northeast coast.
1945 10 March 4th Division troops break through to the east coast, pinch out enemy salient around Amphitheater and Turkey Knob. 11 March Iwo-based Army fighter planes assume responsibility for providing air defense and ground support missions when last Navy escort carriers leave. 14 March Official flag raising ceremony marks proclamation of U.S. Navy Military Government in Volcano Islands. Commander, Expeditionary Troops depart for Guam. First Marine units commence loading out for departure from Iwo.
16 March Last enemy opposition crushed in 3d Division zone with elimination of Cushman's Pocket. Final Japanese resistance destroyed in 4th Division zone as last enemy-held pocket is wiped out.
Iwo Jima declared secured at 1800 after 26 days of bitter assault.
20 March 147th Infantry Regiment (USA) arrives for garrison duty. 25 March Final Japanese pocket of resistance on Iwo Jima eliminated by 5th Division. 26 March Japanese survivors launch desperate early morning attack in 5th Division zone against Marine and Army bivouac areas near the west coast.
Capture and occupation phase announced completed at 0800.
Commander Forward Area, Central Pacific, Vice Admiral John H. Hoover, assumes responsibility for the defense and development of Iwo Jima.
Major General Chaney assumes operational control of all units on the island.Major General Harry Schmidt closes VAC Command Post ashore and departs by air, leaving the 9th Marines to assist in mop-up activities.
1 April American troops land on Cebu Island, Philippine Islands. U.S. Tenth Army (including the 1st and 6th Marine Divisions) lands on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands.
4 April 147th Infantry assumes full responsibility for ground defense and mopping up on Iwo Jima and the 9th Marines prepares to leave. 7 April Eighty P-51's flying from Iwo Jima escort B-29's over Japan in first of U.S. land-based fighter aircraft flights to the enemy home islands. 18 April Last Marines leave Iwo Jima. 22 June Japanese resistance ceases on Okinawa. 5 July Philippine Island Campaign ends. [HyperWar: Must mean "formal" campaign. General Yamashita continues fight until final surrender in August.] 6 August B-29 flying from Marianas drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. 9 August Second atomic bomb hits Nagasaki, Japan. 10 August Japan sues for peace.
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