Question

What did the Japanese strategy of shukketsu seek to do?

a) Decisively defeat the Allied forces
b) Conduct strategic retreats to lure the enemy into vulnerable positions
c) Use kamikaze attacks to cripple enemy fleets
d) Establish a defensive perimeter and hold territory at all costs

Answer 1

The Japanese strategy of shukketsu aimed to demoralize Allied forces by causing high casualties, particularly seen in the Battle of Iwo Jima, in alignment with option b) bleed the U.S. forces to dishearten them through casualties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Japanese strategy of shukketsu, or "bleeding," sought to inflict severe casualties on Allied forces to demoralize them. This tactic was observed during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where Japan combined this strategy with kamikaze attacks. The aim was to defend territory at great cost to the enemy and obstruct their progress towards Japan. In the context of the given options, shukketsu is most closely related to option b) bleed the U.S. forces to dishearten them through casualties. This was a part of Japan's desperate measures to maintain its defensive perimeter as the Allied forces advanced towards the Japanese home islands using their island hopping strategy, securing airfields and bypassing heavily fortified islands when possible.