Question

how did the \island-hopping\ strategy save american lives in world war ii?
us forces only attacked japanese-held islands with 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.

Explanation:

The "island - hopping" strategy in WWII involved the US forces bypassing heavily defended Japanese - held islands and only attacking those with strategic importance (like airfields, ports for supply lines). This way, they avoided costly frontal assaults on well - defended positions, thus saving American lives.

• Option 2 is incorrect because the attacks weren't limited to just sea and air; ground forces were also involved.
• Option 3 is incorrect as the strategy wasn't about attacking islands with weak defenses but those with strategic value (some strategically important islands might have strong defenses, but they were still targeted as they were crucial for the overall war effort).
• Option 4 is incorrect as there was no equal sharing of losses among Allied forces in the island - hopping strategy; the US was the main force in the Pacific island - hopping campaign.

Answer:

A. US forces only attacked Japanese - held islands with strategic importance.