The correct answer is a. The islands were spread out and hard to get to.
Fighting in the Pacific during World War II was particularly challenging due to the geography of the region. The Pacific theater consisted of numerous islands spread across vast distances, making logistics and transportation difficult for the Allied forces. The islands were often remote and isolated, lacking adequate infrastructure and supply lines.
Additionally, the Japanese forces had established strong defensive positions on many of these islands and possessed a familiarity with the terrain, which gave them an advantage in guerrilla warfare. They could easily hide and launch surprise attacks, making it challenging for the Allied forces to advance and capture territory.
While it is true that the Japanese were determined and often fought fiercely, the primary reason for the difficulty in fighting in the Pacific was the logistical challenges posed by the scattered island geography.