Iwo: Bloodbath in the Bonins 19 Feb – 17 Mar 1945

About this board game

Iwo: Bloodbath in the Bonins 19 Feb – 17 Mar 1945 is a solitaire board wargame for 1 player, with two-player rules included, that covers the brutal battle for Iwo Jima in approximately 120 minutes.

Using a modification of the Fire & Movement combat system, the game emphasizes concentrated fire support, breakthroughs, and rapid movement by mobile reserves. The island’s extensive tunnel network limits the usual impact of bombardment and restricts maneuver to the approaches around each fortified position.

Japanese units begin hidden, revealing their strength only when combat occurs. The US player must therefore decide when to mass forces safely and when to risk an attack to keep the advance moving. Fire support can suppress defenders and reduce attacker casualties, an important part of achieving victory.

• Clear the island while managing limited time and the danger of costly assaults.
• Capture important terrain, including Mount Suribachi, to weaken the Japanese defense.
• Respond to Japanese bombardments and occasional Banzai charges managed by a short priority system.
• Expect weak attacks against bunkers to displace defenders rather than eliminate them.

The Japanese defense creates uncertainty throughout the campaign, while the need to clear every part of the island continually pressures the US player to move forward. The result is a compact, low-complexity wargame centered on tactical decisions and attritional combat.

Iwo includes a 17 × 22-inch full-color map, 100 double-sided half-inch counters, a dedicated rulebook, and an 8-page Fire & Movement folio rulebook. Each game turn represents two days, hexes represent 350 yards or 300 meters, and units range from companies to battalions. A six-sided die is required for play.