Island Bypassing in the Pacific Theater: Lessons from WWII

The strategic decisions made during the Pacific Theater of World War II often revolved around the choice of which islands to bypass and which to invade. The importance of these decisions cannot be overstated, as they significantly impacted the course of the war and the ultimate outcome of Allied victory. This article explores several instances where islands could have been bypassed but instead were invaded, examining the strategic, logistical, and human costs of such decisions.

The Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign

The Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign is a prime example of an operation that involved the invasion of islands that could have been bypassed. The Gilbert Islands, including Tarawa, were chosen as the initial target for the United States Marine Corps because they were close to Japanese-occupied areas and could serve as a stepping stone towards advancing toward Japan.

However, the Marshall Islands, particularly Kwajalein Atoll, could have been overlooked in favor of more strategic targets. These islands, while important, were further away from Japan and could have been subjected to a more intensive bombing campaign from the newly acquired Mariana Islands.

The Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign

The Mariana and Palau Islands campaign demonstrated another instance where islands were invaded despite the potential for bypassing them. Palau, particularly Angaur Island, which was the site of the bloody and costly Battle of Pelilu, could have been bypassed.

According to , a combat veteran who fought in the Pacific, the island of Pelilu was invaded by MacArthur because of the belief that airfields on the island were necessary. However, as notes in his book With the Old Breed, the 73 days of brutal fighting were ultimately deemed unnecessary.

The Saipan Controversy

The controversial decision to invade Saipan, a major island in the Mariana Islands, is another example of a strategic choice that could have been different. Saipan was relatively close to Japan and could have been bypassed in favor of other strategic targets.

Despite the strategic arguments for bypassing Saipan, the decision to invade was made due to its proximity to Japan and its potential use as an airbase. However, the operation was criticized for its excessive cost in terms of both lives and resources. After Saipan, the decision to advance further towards Japan by taking other islands became a topic of intense debate among military strategists.

Conclusion

The experience of the Pacific Theater of World War II offers valuable lessons on the importance of strategic decision-making, particularly in terms of island bypassing. The Allied forces often faced tough choices between advancing through islands or bypassing them and focusing on more strategic targets. The lessons learned from these decisions continue to inform modern military and strategic planning.

Keywords:

World War II Pacific Campaign Island Bypassing

References:

Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign With the Old Breed by