How+was+the+Pacific+theater+different+than+the+European+one?

Introduction
toc There were many differences between the Pacific and European theaters, which resulted in differing tactics and obstacles for the military involved there. For one, the strategy employed by US forces in the Pacific was one of "island hopping," with forces working to capture one island at a time, putting down airstrips as they went in preparation for a military assault of the Japanese mainland. The fighting itself that took place in the Pacific was also very different, thanks in part due to a vastly different climate and environment. Disease was a major risk in the Pacific, with some Army divisions had "66 percent and 41 percent of the infantrymen had been sent to a malaria treatment center at least once."Additionally, and perhaps due in large part to this fact, fewer than 60% of POWs in Japanese camps in WWII survived, and oftentimes the Japanese forces refused to comply with Geneva Convention rules for the treatment of POWs.

Suggested resources
(all links will open in a new window) Closing In: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima. This resource is a Commemorative Series produced by the Marine Corps History and Museum Division. It includes information about milestones in the battle for Iwo Jima, including D-Day, the taking of Mt. Suribachi, and the final days of the battle. **Notable resources** include artwork by US Marines (see below for an example) from the Marine Corps Combat Art Collection, biographies of the Japanese commander and US Marine commanders, information about specific Marine Corps weaponry used on the island, as well as information about Joe Rosenthal's famous photo (as seen on the home page).

Marines Raise Flag Over Iwo Jima - 1945. This film is found on the US National Archives YouTube channel. The first 4:08 of the film include information about Iwo Jima. This is a good resource for students to watch and discuss, particularly the closing comment "Iwo Jima is conquered. Only isolated snipers remain." Does your class research support this statement?

Chronology of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This timeline, produced by the National Park Service, provides notable dates and events relating to the Battle of Iwo Jima. In particular, it may be useful in conjunction with the video linked above, to address the question of whether or not Iwo Jima was really "conquered" once the flag was raised atop Suribachi.

Reflection
These resources were chosen because they include a variety of representations to communicate the unique challenges posed in the Pacific theater. While fighting in the Pacific is often under-emphasized during teaching about the WWII, the results of the Pacific and the sacrifices made on both sides are important aspects of world and US history. Additionally, many of resources include things not often seen in textbooks, such as the artwork from the Marine Corps Combat Art Collection, or the back story behind the famous //Raising the Flag Over Iwo Jima// photograph by Joe Rosenthal. Using a variety of resources is the first step to ensuring that not only does content reach a variety of students, but also represents a variety of viewpoints.