FILE PHOTO: The flags of U.S. and Japan are hoisted as participants attend a memorial service jointly held by Japan and the United States to mark the 70th anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest and most symbolic battles on the remote island of Iwo Jima, which is now officially called Iwo To in Japan, south of Tokyo March 21, 2015. REUTERS/Pool/File Photo
(Reuters) - This month marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting of World War Two take place on a small Japanese island 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Tokyo.
Iwo Jima was the first native Japanese soil to be invaded during the Allied advance. Located halfway between Tokyo and Guam, it was regarded as a strategic outpost. Close to 7,000 U.S. Marines and nearly all of the 21,000 Japanese defenders of the island died during the 36-day battle.
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