Which Pacific island held by the Japanese acted as an alert for home island defenses against American bombers?

Iwo Jima was strategically significant during World War II as it served as an alert system for the Japanese home islands against incoming American bombers. The island was located roughly halfway between Japan and the Mariana Islands, making it an ideal point for monitoring and intercepting enemy aircraft. Its capture by American forces not only provided a base for fighter planes to protect the bombers on their way to Japan but also allowed for the establishment of advanced radar installations.

The importance of Iwo Jima lay in its location; it was essential for the safety of bombers as they approached Japan, allowing for early warnings of incoming threats. This partially explains why the battle for Iwo Jima was ferociously contested, as it was perceived as vital for both offensive and defensive operations.

While Okinawa was also a significant battleground and served various strategic purposes, it was primarily focused on securing the southern part of Japan and facilitating the eventual invasion. Peleliu, on the other hand, was intended to support the Philippines campaign and did not have the same role as an early warning location. Guadalcanal was notable for its involvement in the early stages of the Pacific War and played a crucial defensive role, but it was not specifically held for alerting against bombers targeting the