During the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific War, Japanese soldiers launched a surprise attack on the American army's tent encampment to the south of the western village in the early hours of March 26, 1945. The Japanese army was annihilated in a suicidal charge, and the number of abandoned bodies came to 196.

 　During the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific War, the American military used tanks and flame throwers to wipe out the Japanese soldiers hiding in the cave positions. The Japanese soldiers, cornered by the American military, launched a surprise attack on the tent positions of the American Marine Corps and Army Air Corps to the south of the western village in the early morning of March 26th 1945. The battle lasted for about three hours, and although some of the Japanese troops managed to break through to Wonsan and Chidori Airfield, they were eventually annihilated. The number of Japanese soldiers' bodies abandoned by their comrades reached 196. The bodies of the Japanese soldiers, who had been scattered around the American tents, were left lying around in a pitiful state after the battle.

　　On March 17, the American forces reached the northernmost tip of Iwo Jima, known as “Kitanohana”. Tadamichi Kuribayashi was promoted to the youngest-ever Army General of the Japanese Army and Navy with special permission dated March 17. On March 17, the final orders were sent to the various units, with the intention of launching a final general offensive. From March 18th onwards, the American forces ceased their naval bombardment and air raids, and withdrew their marines to the rear, switching to a strategy of firepower blockade using tanks and mortars, in order to avoid close combat with the Japanese forces. The Japanese forces judged that the time was right for an attack on March 24th, and decided to launch a general offensive at night on March 25th.The Japanese soldiers were ordered to release all remaining food and water supplies, and to quench their thirst and hunger.

　　General Tadamichi Kuribayashi led the troops out of the underground bunker at around 2am on March 26th. The 400-strong Japanese army continued its advance. At 5:15am, they discovered the American camp and launched a full-scale attack. The battle became a huge melee in the pitch dark, throwing the American troops into chaos. Reinforcements arrived from the US army, and after three hours of fierce fighting, the Japanese army's attack force was repelled. The US army suffered 53 casualties and 119 wounded. After the final general attack, 262 bodies of Japanese soldiers were left behind, and 18 were taken prisoner.