1. Major Battles in the Pacific
World War II

2. Japan gains control
Japan and others in the Axis power gained major ground in 1942.
Japan had control of Philippines.
Also controlled many islands in the Pacific.
This was before the U.S. entered the war.

3. Battle of Midway Japan hurt U.S. with attack of Pearl Harbor.
Hoping to have a battle to destroy the rest of fleet.
Picked Midway island northwest of Hawaii.

4. Battle of midway May of 1942, Japan sends fleet toward Midway.
Admiral Chester Nimitz commander of U.S. naval forces.
Japan sends code to other ships of location.
American code-breakers figure out code & move to Midway.

5. Battle of Midway June 3rd, the battle begins.
America suffered some lose, but not too bad.
Japanese aircraft carriers, ships, and planes were destroyed.
America and the Allies won the battle.

6. Battle of Midway

7. Island hopping war strategy
General Douglas MacArthur commander of American forces in Pacific.
Use Island Hopping to defeat Japan.
Goal to capture most important Japanese controlled island.

8. Island Hopping strategy
Start with smaller ones farther away.
Use as bases to attack island closer to Japan

9. Battle of Iwo jima Feb. 1945 U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima, Japan.
General Holland Smith
Hardest fighting in 168 years.
After gaining control of Iwo Jima, they moved to Okinawa.

10. Famous picture from the battle

11. Battle of Iwo Jima

12. Kamikaze Pilots Means Divine Wind
Refers to typhoon that destroyed an enemy fleet in 13th century.
Japanese Suicide pilot

13. Kamikaze Pilots Attack Allied Warships. Crash into ship.
Cause major damage.