Answer: Most of the reason was most likely due to the "Last stand strategy" (not really what that is called) that the Japanese soldiers were so fond of, because of honor being captured was not an option so when they were out of ammo they often just threw themselves at American soldiers with only a sword. I dont remember if women or children were on Iwo Jima specifically the island they would often throw themselves off of cliffs because the men told them that if the Americans captured them they would torture and r*pe them.
