>The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified, with a dense network of bunkers, hidden artillery positions, and 18 km (11 mi) of underground tunnels.[8][9] The American ground forces were supported by extensive naval artillery, and had complete air supremacy provided by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators throughout the entire battle.[10]
>Japanese combat deaths numbered three times the number of American deaths, although uniquely among Pacific War Marine battles, American total casualties (dead and wounded) exceeded those of the Japanese.[11] Of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima at the beginning of the battle, only 216 were taken prisoner, some of whom were captured because they had been knocked unconscious or otherwise disabled.[1] The majority of the remainder were killed in action, although it has been estimated that as many as 3,000 continued to resist within the various cave systems for many days afterwards, eventually succumbing to their injuries or surrendering weeks later.[1][12]
>Despite the bloody fighting and severe casualties on both sides, the Japanese defeat was assured from the start. Overwhelming American superiority in arms and numbers as well as almost complete control of air power—coupled with the impossibility of Japanese retreat or reinforcement, along with sparse food and supplies—permitted no plausible circumstance in which the Americans could have lost the battle
>The Japamerican citizens fighting for America were also the most decorated soldiers in US history for their performance in war
Excluding equipment, resources and physical abilities, what soldiers have had a fighting spirit even close to wartime Japanese? Only one that comes close is the Spartans I think.
