The land war in the Pacific during World War II was characterized by brutal and relentless warfare, with no respite from the activity or violence. The conflict was marked by significant daily contact between Allied and Japanese forces, punctuated by massed Japanese assaults. The war was a war of attrition, where soldiers faced high casualty rates, a poor replacement system, harsh climate, and challenging terrain, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. This resulted in a savage and relentless intensity in the fighting that was unparalleled in World War II, making the conflict akin to a war of annihilation.