World War II Mr. Perry

Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Japanese fighter planes attack American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu, Hawaii. 2 hour attack destroyed: 20 American Naval Vessels 8 Battleships 300 Airplanes More than 2,000 American soldiers killed and 1,000 wounded. FDR asks congress to go to war with Japan Congress: “Yes.” Then Italy and Germany declare war on U.S.

Battle of Coral Sea First air-sea battle in history. (May 1942) Japanese want to control the Coral Sea Jap Strategy: Invade Port Moresby in Southeast New Guinea Allied codebreakers deciphered enemy plans and set up a sneak attack. (Send Allied fleets to Coral Sea) Frank J. Fletcher commanded American Task Force. 2 large Aircraft carriers British- led cruiser force

Battle of Coral Sea

Battle of Coral Sea Japanese had plenty of ships but were spread out in small groups. Vice Admiral Takagi Takao led the Japanese Covering Force. Had 2 large Carriers At first, both sides were having difficulty striking each other but the U.S. took out their 2 aircraft carriers. The Japs were forced to turn back due to having no air cover. ALLIES WIN!

Battle at Midway 6 months after Pearl Harbor (June 1942) Admiral Yamamato Isoroku, wants to sink the last of the carriers from Pearl Harbor. (SIKE!) Decoding their plans, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz places U.S. carriers to surprise them on “Midway Island.” ALLIES WIN!

Battle of Guadalcanal Japanese arrive on June 8, 1942 to make an air base. The Guadalcanal held lines of communication between the U.S. and Australia. The Japanese wanted to sabotage their communication. August 1942 (2 months later) U.S. Marines launch a surprise attack Japanese suffer many casualties and recede by February 1943 (6 months) ALLIES WIN!

Battle of Iwo Jima February 19, 1945 First battle where U.S. attacks Japanese Islands. They needed a base near Japan’s coast. Bomber planes would have a near-by landing sight in case of emergencies. Without having to return all the way to Marianas. This base would be for the Escort Fighters who would assist the bombing campaign.

Battle of Iwo Jima Iwo Jima was guarded by 23,000 Japanese Army and Navy troops. Attacked by 3 Marine divisions after an Air & Naval bombardment. 6,800 tons of bombs 22,000 shells Japanese use War of Attrition to take out marines, and it kind of worked, but they still lost. ALLIES WIN!

Battle of Iwo Jima Photographer: Joe Rosenthal Supplies the U.S. Marines with a photo of them placing the American flag on Iwo Jima. (***I don’t know if this is important but I put it just in case.***)

Island Hopping Strategy employed by the U.S. to gain military bases and secure the many small islands in the Pacific. Targeted islands that were not strongly defended.

Invasion of the Philippines Japan brings 200,ooo soldiers to defend the Island of Layte. Led by Tomoyuki Yamashita U.S. attacks with 700 ships carrying 200,000 men. Under Command of General Douglas McArthur. Americans hit Japanese ships in Manila Bay. They also take out their planes at Park Airfield (Japs have no airpower).

Invasion of the Philippines Gen. McArthur takes his troops to Layte. They are cut off by the Japanese so he sends an airstrike to take them out. After 24 hours of bombing the Island, the U.S. actually land on Layte and claim it. Then they move on to “Louzon.” The Japanese head to “Layte Gulf” and the U.S. take them out. ALLIES WIN!

General Douglas McArthur American 5- star General & Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. December 8, 1941 His Air Force was destroyed and they had to retreat to the Bataan Peninsula. FDR told McArthur to go to Australia to ensure his safety. McArthur promised to return to the Pacific. April 1942 McArthur returns to the Philippines w/ Naval fleet and takes over Layte and does the rest of his Island Hopping.

General Douglas McArthur September 2, 1945 McArthur accepts Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. The Philippines are successfully invaded and… …THE ALLIES WIN!