Instead of coming in at high altitudes, the attack was a low level sweep over the water that caught the Japanese defenses off-guard.

The determined Japanese defense left only 51 survivors of an original garrison of 3,500.

The third attack on 11 August found the Japanese defenses prepared for the American bombers.

The northwest to southeast line of Japanese defenses, definitively unknown at the time, also contributed to the confusion.

As Japanese defenses crumbled on the island in late March 1945, 56 of the 130 residents committed suicide, he said.

Japanese defenses were much weaker by night, and the three bombers lost in this attack crashed due to mechanical problems.

In short order, they overran the Japanese defenses, sustaining four casualties during the action.

However, as the Japanese defenses were fully integrated, the flanking attempt was unsuccessful.

The Japanese defenses at the Bonegi held up the American advance for almost three days.

However, Japanese defenses on the island were minimal.