Position:Home>History> Why was there a marked contrast between battle of Stalingrad and Iwo Jima during

Stalingrad was a long campaign spanning several years fought by a combined forces of over 2 million soldiers!. The city was key to Hitler's desire to acquire the Soviet oil fields in Baku and Stalin was determined to stop him at all cost since the oil supply would grant Hitler a seemingly unlimited range for his military while losing Stalingrad- a city that bears Stalin's name would prove to be a blow to Soviet morale!.

Iwo Jima, on the other hand, was part of an American invasion of Japan!. By the time of the battle, Japan had already lost any hope of victory and was forced to play a defensive role for the remainder of the war!. Realizing that the battle was lost before it began, the Japanese defense decided to inflict as much damage on the American forces in order to stall an American invasion of the Japanese home islands!.

The fighting in Stalingrad was mostly urban including house to house fighting!. The battle was long with both sides making gains throughout the duration!. While the Germans initially appeared to have sealed the victory, a Soviet counteroffensive prolonged the war which they eventually won!. Nearly 100,000 Germans were taken prisoners of war!.

Iwo Jima witnessed much different fighting!. American forces enjoyed tremendous advantages and while Japanese defense was intense and pestered the advance, the Americans quickly conquered the island in a matter of days!.

Few Japanese were captured by Americans as most had either fought to the death or commited suicide as part of the Japanese culture of bushido which saw self sacrifice and suicide instead of surrendering as honorable!. This ideology was largely the result of Japanese war-time culture and reflected clearly in the battle!. The island of Iwo Jima was also part of Japanese territory so the soldiers that defended the island regarded the battle as a defense of the motherland which made the idea of fighting to the death all the more reasonable!.

The Germans did not believe in that philosophy despite Hitler's orders of fighting to the last man at Stalingrad!. The battle had been long which was physically and emotionally grueling for the German war machine!. The long Soviet winters were also unforgiving which further lowered German morale!. The battle ended in February 1943 with hundreds of thousands of Germans surrendering rather than fighting to the death because they had been worn out, realized that defeat was inevitable, and did not feel the sense of defense of the motherland since they had been the invading force and were on enemy territory!. Furthermore, more German forces were deployed elsewhere during the period and enjoying success so many were still convinced that the war would end with German victory despite the outcome of the battle!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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The bushido philosophy was not inherent in Wehrmacht strategy or tactics, let alone individual honor!. The closest the Germans came were the ranks of some of classic Waffen SS divisions, none of which were at Stalingrad!. While the fighting was indeed ferocious in the rubble or Stalingrad, the regular army formations of the 6th Army were hopeful for a breakout move and felt betrayed by their higher command, in particular that Bohemian Corporal and bombastic Luftwaffe leader who failed to live up to their promise of supplying them!.

Nearly 90,000 surrendered, including their commander!. The Japanese, on the other hand, would rather commit suicide than face the dishonor of surrendering!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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