Question

How did the “island-hopping” strategy save American lives in World War II? US forces did not attack Japanese-held islands with no strategic importance. Allied forces attacked Japanese-held island by sea and air only. US forces attacked Japanese-held islands with weak defenses. Allied forces attacked different islands, sharing the losses equally.

Answer 1

The main way in which the “island-hopping” strategy saved American lives in World War II was that "US forces attacked Japanese-held islands with weak defenses" since this was the easiest. 

Answer 2

The correct answer is the first option provided. US forces did not attack Japanese-held islands with no strategic importance. Since the U.S forces only attacked islands with specific strategic importance, the Americans were able to advance much quicker and as a consequence they were able to save many American lives.    

The military “island-hopping” strategy was employed by the Allies in the Pacific War againsta Japan and the Axis Powers during World War II aiming to  bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions and devote the limited Allied resources only on strategically important islands that lacked a well defense.