The strategy of island hopping was a departure from orthodox naval strategy in that it
A.
relied heavily on submarine warfare.
B.
avoided landing soldiers for combat.
C.
left some enemy bases untouched.
D.
relied on new and advanced technology.
The correct answer is B. The strategy of island hopping during World War II was a departure from orthodox naval strategy in that it avoided landing soldiers for combat.
To arrive at this answer, we can use a process of elimination:
Option A suggests that the strategy relied heavily on submarine warfare. While submarines were indeed used during island hopping operations, they were not the primary focus of the strategy. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
Option B states that the strategy avoided landing soldiers for combat, which is accurate. Island hopping involved bypassing heavily fortified enemy positions and instead capturing strategically important yet lightly defended islands. By leapfrogging past strongholds and focusing on capturing key islands, the need for large-scale invasions and prolonged land combat was minimized. This allowed the Allied forces to advance towards the Japanese mainland more quickly and with fewer casualties. Therefore, option B is correct.
Option C suggests that the strategy left some enemy bases untouched. While it is true that certain enemy bases were bypassed, this was done strategically to conserve resources and facilitate a faster advance towards Japan. The goal of island hopping was not to leave enemy bases completely untouched, but rather to capture specific islands that offered tactical advantages and pave the way for further advances. Thus, option C is incorrect.
Option D states that the strategy relied on new and advanced technology. While the use of technology, such as advanced naval vessels and aircraft, was an important component of the overall military strategy during World War II, it was not the defining characteristic of island hopping. Rather, the strategy primarily focused on the careful selection of targets and the efficient use of existing resources. Therefore, option D is incorrect.
In conclusion, the correct answer is B. The strategy of island hopping during World War II was unique because it avoided landing soldiers for combat, opting instead to capture strategically important but lightly defended islands.