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Pearl Harbor
Japanese launched a surprise air invasion on the outpost of Pearl Harbor. This attack was motivated because the U.S. had cut off theri oil and steel trade with Japan. On this day the Japanese killed about 1,500 American sailors and crippled the entire U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet. The Japanese emerged the victors in this attack but realized that they had "Woken and sleeping giant.". -
Loss of the Philippines
After Japan had taken control of much of the surrounding area they turned their eyes to the American controlled Philippines. American Genreal Douglad MacArthur was in charge with the defense of this island. MacArthur only had a small force of American troops under his command plus very poorly trained Filipino soldiers. His troops were no match for the large scal Japanese invaders. The General ordered his men to retreat abck to the Bataan Penisula. -
Battle of Java Sea
As Japanese began to advance in their pacific campaign they began attacking the Dutch East Indies. Today this area is known as Indonesia. The allies navies in this battle suffered greatly from how fast the Japanese attacked them. Very soon the Japenese had taken control of a large portion of this area and gained vital oil reserves to help build their military. Allies were surpised of how fast they Japenese were advancing. -
Bataan Death March
Shorrly after the American soldiers fell back to their outpost on the Bataan Peninsula they had realized that their wasn't enough food, water, or medicine for everyone. Eventually the American and Filipion soldiers had to surrender. Soon after the Japanese had made the entire captured force of about 70,000 men to march 63 miles in tropical heat with very little food or water. An estimated 10,000 of thos soldiers died while being forced to march. -
Doolittle Raid
America losing the Philippines was a low point in the war. But just days after a man by the name of James Doolittle led a small fighting force of six-teen bombers on a raid over Tokyo. The raid did very little damage to the city but had two significant outcomes. First, it gave something to the Americans to celebrate. Second it caused worry amongst the Japanese leaders because now they realize that they can be attacked on their home territoy. The raids were a success -
Battle of the Coral Sea
This battle featured the one part of the Pacific fleet that had not been badly damaged at Pearl Harbor-the aircraft carriers. Japanese forces were preparing to invade British controlled Port Moresby on the island of New Guinea. General Chester Minitz sent two aircraft carriers on the attack. In the battle that followed Japanese forces have been stopped. -
Battle of Midway
Fuchido predictions were correct. fires and explosions destroyed all three ships. American aircraft later destroyed the fourth carrier. Japnesse planes did destroy one of the American carriers- USS Yorktown. Americans had a tremendous victory. invasion of Midway was stopped, and Japan's navy suffered terrible blow. Japs great advantage on the seas no longer existed. -
Gudalcanal
1st step was to win control of territory in Solomon islands. Jap moved there in spring of 1942-threatened Australia(which was fighting with the Allies) Allied presence in the Solomon would protect Australia and provide abse for efforts to push back Japs.Key goal was to capture island of Guadalcanal- covered w/ swamps&dense jungles. daytime temp of 90.millions of diseased insects-miserable place to fight.6 months of bloody combat w/Jap. Feb 1943 Japs fled. "...Jap were looking for us...on the run -
Island Hopping Strategey
Allies used powerful combo of land, sea, and air forces to capture key islands. focused on the weak sports and skipped over Japans strongholds. made steady progress in the Southwest Pacific in 1943.1944-Allies capture locations in Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline,&Mariana islands. took advantage of tremendous industrial power-busy Amer factories produced planes&ships fast. used Navajo code talkers-Jap could not break codes-helped Allies win many major battles -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
300 ships took part in the largest naval battle ever fought. Allies had huge advantage in #of ships. Jap lost 4 carriers, 3 battleships,& other vessels. new Japanese weapon- kamikaze. Jap piolet loaded aircraft w/ bombs and crashed into enemy ship. "the only way of assuming our meager strength will be effective to the maximum degree" attacks did not change outcome. 23-26 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima- volcanic island 750 miles south of Tokyo. Japan fought hidden in caves and tunnels. marines managed to capture the islands tallest point, Mount Suribachi. Jap refused to surrender. 7,000 Americans dead &many wounded. out of 20,000 Jap-19,000 fought to the death -
Battle of Okinawa
350 miles from Japan-island was to be the launching padfor the final invasion of Japan. Bloodiest task Americans would face in the Pacific. Japanese retreated to southern tip to plan response after the Allies invaded the island-was filled with caves and tunnels. Japs skillfully hid and launched deadly assaults. 12,000 Americans died&thousands more injured. Jap lost 110,000 troop. "I see no way to get them out except to blast them out yard by yard." Amer gained control of island in June,1945. -
Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
Manhattan Project continued throughout the war. VP Harry S Truman became president after Roosevelts death in April. knew nothing about the bomb prior to assuming presidency. formed group of advisors to debate. Truman-drop the bomb on Jap city w/o warning. July 26, Allies issued a demand for Japan's surrender, no response, "prompt and utter destruction" American B-29 Enola Gay flew over and exploded-everything in 1mile radius destroyed.3mile.12mile. 80,000immediately. 35,000injured.90,000buildin -
Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
Japan's leaders took no action to end the war. debated next step for three days. US droppped a second bomb. death toll of 40,000. General Groves and Admiral Purnell-convinced that 2 atomic bombs dropped within days of the other would have an overwhelming impact on the Japanese government &would surrender.America's primary target was Kokura.Nagasaki was a major shipbuilding city and large military port. 'Bockscar'blast was bigger but its impact was reduced by the natural topography -
VJ Day!
Japanese emperor Hirohito favored surrender but military leaders resisted. some tried to overthrow the Jap Gov't and continue the war-failed. Hirohito announced the end of the war in a radio broadcast-1st time Japs ever heard his voice. This sparked spontaneous celebrations over the final ending of World War II. On September 2, 1945, a formal surrender ceremony was held in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri. At the time, President Truman declared September 2 to be VJ Day.
