World War II: War in the Pacific

I. After the Pearl Harbor Attack Japan was on a roll and took many islands and Indochina quickly.

Japanese takes control of - Wake Island - Guam - Hong Kong - Indonesia - Burma

II. Battle of the Philippines (1941) Philippines – a US territory Attacked by Japanese

US General Douglas MacArthur was ordered to leave his troops in March 1942

- 10,000 Americans and 60,000 Filipino's surrendered. - MacArthur’s Famous Quote: “I shall return!” - 10,000 Americans and 60,000 Filipino's surrendered.

Bataan Death March - Captured Allied soldiers were forced to march for 5 days through tropical heat - Those who dropped out were beaten, shot or left for dead - Thousands of American soldiers died

III. Retaliation for Pearl Harbor (April ’42) Doolittle’s Raid 1. Colonel James Doolittle led 16 bombers to bomb locations in Tokyo 2. Factories, oil tanks, and military targets are bombed

Doolittle’s mission left from aircraft carriers positioned as close to Japan as possible.

Results of Doolittle’s Raid: 1. Very little damage to Tokyo 2. Gave Americans something to celebrate! 3. Worried and angered Japan’s leaders causing them to make poor decisions

IV. The Battle of the Coral Sea Admiral Chester Nimitz – Commander of the US Pacific Fleet

1. Nimitz sends two aircraft carriers to 1. Nimitz sends two aircraft carriers to prevent an attack on British controlled New Guinea. 2. Both American and Japanese navies suffered great losses

3. Result: For the first time, a Japanese advance ad been crushed.

V. The Battle of Midway (June ’42)

Japanese Plan: - Attack the Americans at Midway Island - Pull the American fleet into the area for a final attack on US Pacific Fleet U.S. knew their plan because we broke Japan’s secret code. Even though Nimitz was outnumbered, he ordered the U.S. navy to attack.

- TURNING POINT OF WAR IN PACIFIC RESULTS: 1. U.S. wins 2. Japan’s plan to invade Midway is halted 3. Japan’s navy suffered a terrible blow and loses their great advantage on the seas. - TURNING POINT OF WAR IN PACIFIC

US Strategy: Skip well fortified Japanese V: Island Hopping US Strategy: Skip well fortified Japanese Islands and cutting off their supplies

VI. Battle of Guadalcanal (Aug ’42)

Allies attack for the first time and gain ground on the Japanese. IMPORTANCE: First defeat of Japanese land forces. Battle took place on land, at sea, and in the air. 4. IMPORTANCE: This tactic proved to be such a success that it will be used in future battles.

VII: The Battle of Leyte Gulf (Oct ’44)

1. Major sea battle featuring nearly 300 ships in which Allies virtually destroyed Japan’s navy. (U.S. wins)

2. First use of Japanese kamikazes - Means “divine wind” - Japanese pilots (carrying explosives) would crash their planes into U.S. ships.

VIII: The Battle of Leyte Gulf (Oct ’44) As Promised… MacCarther Returns to the Philippines

IX. Navajo Code talkers The U.S. used Navajos to secretly communicate in the Pacific B. REASON the Japanese did not know the language of the Navajo nation - This was an unwritten language the Japanese could never figure out. - Helped the Allies win many major battles.

X. Iwo Jima and Okinawa Strategic Importance : Allies needed islands to plan attack on Japanese mainland

Battle of Iwo Jima - The bloodiest battle in the Pacific. - Mt. Suribachi was taken. (p433)

Battle of Okinawa - Largest amphibious attack in Pacific - Island only 340 miles from JAPAN - Launching pad for the final invasion of Japan itself - Battle lasted 82 days - Massive deaths and psychological casualties. - This battle made many experienced Allied fighters dread the prospect of invading the major island of Japan.