To defeat Japan, the Allies adopted a strategy known as 'Island Hopping' or 'Leapfrogging.' Instead of attacking every Japanese-held island, which would be costly and time-consuming, the Allies bypassed heavily fortified Japanese positions and targeted strategically important islands that could support airfields or naval bases. These captured islands allowed the Allies to strike the next target while cutting off the supply lines to the bypassed Japanese garrisons, leaving them to 'wither on the vine.' This strategy, led by Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur, significantly shortened the path to the Japanese home islands. However, it led to some of the most brutal combat of the war, as Japanese forces often fought to the last man in tunnels and caves.