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Period: to
1919-1945 Timeline
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Japan and Nazi Germany partner up
Japan and Germany sign the Anti-Comintern Pact. This pact was signed with obvious opposition to the Soviet Union. -
Japan invades China
Japan launches a naval and infantry invasion against the Chinese. This launches the war in the Pacific. -
The Japanese sink the USS Panay
The USS Panay, a battlehip, was bombed by the Japanese in the Yangtze River. It posed no threat as it layed at anchor. -
Japan joins the Axis
The Triparte Pact is signed by Japan, Italy and Germany. It stated that the countries that signed the pact would come to each others aid if one were to be at war. -
The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
Japanese fighter planes came from over the horizon and attacked Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. Over 2,000 US soldiers and civilians and another 1,000 were wounded. -
The U.S. and Britain declare war on Japan
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US declares war on Japan. The British Empire then follows suit and takes the side of the US. Germany and Italy join Japan's side due to the Triparte Pact. -
The Japanese invade the Philippines
The Japanese invaded the Phillipines. They then seized Guam. -
Japanese merchant ship sunk by the US
This is the first Japanese merchant ship to be sunk by US submarines. It was known as the USS Swordfish. -
The fall of British Singapore
The British felt that Singapore was in a powerful and very valuable tactical position and used it as a front against the Japanese. On February 7th, however, the Japanese managed to invade and forced the British to retreat, killing many soldiers in the process. -
The Japanese attack Darwin, Australia
The Japanese launch their first attack against Australia in a large air raid. 243 people were killed on this day. It is the largest attack by the Japanese since Pearl Harbor. -
The Japanese win the Battle of the Java Sea
The Japanese have a major sea victory over the Allies, specifically the U.S. They managed to "sink the largest US warship in the Far East, the HOUSTON." -
2 Japanese flying boats drop bombs on Hawaii
After refueling, two Japanese flying boats fly over Oahu, Hawaii and harmlessly drop bombs into an extinct volcano or sea. The USS Narwhal and USS S-39 sink enemy ships. -
First U.S troops arrive at Australia
The U.S troops touch down at Australia in preperation for island hopping. Here they restocked their supplies. -
The Battle of the Coral Sea
It was fought in the waters of the Solomon Islands. The Japanese lost many ships including a carrier, a gunboat and many other small ships. -
America invades Guadalcanal
Once part of the British Empire, Guadalcanal was occupied by the Japanese. The Alied troops then launched an offensive attack and captured Guadalcanal, driving the Japanese out. -
America frees the Aleutians
After the Japanese had set garrisons on the Aleutian islands, the Americans freed the Aleutians from Japanese control. It is the only American soil that the Japanese had acquired throughout the war. -
Saipan falls
The Japanese launch a massive suicide attack on the incoming American soldiers. Upon victory, there were 14,438 deaths among the Allied forces. -
U.S Troops Land in the Philippines
General MacArthur leads the attack force into the Philippines. Many of the battles that were had occured at sea. -
MacArthur lands in Luzon
Prior to the invasion of Luzon, General MacArthur sets up a base of operations in Mindoro, an island to the south of Luzon. After reclaiming Luzon, the US took a large step towards victory. -
America captures Iwo Jima
Due to its two airfields, Iwo Jima was viewed as a signifigant tactical point. The U.S. then launched an amphibious attack on the island, which was made easier by the constant air raids that were ongoing for two months. -
The Allies conquer Okinawa
The Japanese, having set up the majority of their soldiers on the southern of the island, were ready for incoming fire. Having anticipated this, the Americans launch air raids to weaken their forces. -
America holds Okinawa
After an air raid, the Americans land on the west coast of the island while. The Japanese did not give up as they launched kamikaze attacks on the US ships. -
The Battle of Midway
The US forces surprise the Japanese at the Battle of Midway. It is a major turning point in the war as it marks the end of the Japanese offensive in the Pacific. -
The Japanese give up resistance in the Phillipines
General MacArthur announces the Japanese resistance in the Phillipines have ended. Japan then gives up occupation there. -
The Philippinos are liberated
The Phillipines were un-occupied by the Japanese. The US then liberates the country. -
First Atomic Bomb is Tested
The first atomic bomb to be detonated is tested in New Mexico. It began a new era of warfare, leading to the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
U.S Bombs Hiroshima
The US forces drop the Little Boy on Hiroshima. It is the first atomic bomb used in warfare. It was dropped by Col. Paul Tibbets. -
U.S Bombs Nagasaki
Dubbed "Fat Man," this atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. This event took place only 3 days after the Little Boy was dropped. -
The Japanese formally surrender
The American forces began to occupy Japan after they agreed September. Japan then formally surrenders to the U.S, Britain and the Soviet Union. -
U.S troops stop at Australia
After defeating the Japanese ending World War II, the U.S forces stop at Australia for additional supplies. From here, they return home.
