Battle of Midway Fought over U.S. Mid-Pacific Base Fought over U.S. Mid-Pacific Base –Midway, Atoll June 4-7, 1942 June 4-7, 1942 Japan had a superior navy Japan had a superior navy

Japan’s Plan Japanese Fleet commander Japanese Fleet commander –Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto Yamamoto wanted revenge for the Doolittle raids Yamamoto wanted revenge for the Doolittle raids Wanted to destroy the U.S.’s pacific striking forces Wanted to destroy the U.S.’s pacific striking forces Yamamoto wished to follow up with an invasion of the atoll's two small islands and establish Japan’s own air base there

American Counter Admiral Chester W. Nimitz - the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Chester W. Nimitz - the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Surprise attack thwarted by superior American communications intelligence Surprise attack thwarted by superior American communications intelligence Nimitz established an ambush, having his carriers ready and waiting for the Japanese Nimitz established an ambush, having his carriers ready and waiting for the Japanese

Outcome of Midway U.S. Ambushed the Japanese U.S. Ambushed the Japanese America’s fleet successfully defended Midway America’s fleet successfully defended Midway 4 irreplaceable Japanese Fleet carriers destroyed. 4 irreplaceable Japanese Fleet carriers destroyed. Only 1 of 3 American Carriers was destroyed Only 1 of 3 American Carriers was destroyed

Why is Midway Important Midway marks the turning point in pacific naval superiority

Battle of Guadalcanal Guadalcanal is part of the Solomon Islands which lie to the north-eastern approaches of Australia  Americans were trying to re- capture taken Pacific islands  Codenamed operation watchtower by Allied troops

A Conflict Emerges Its position made it strategically important for both sides in the Pacific War. Its position made it strategically important for both sides in the Pacific War.

Japanese Incentive If the Japanese captured the island, they could cut off the sea route between Australia and America. If the Japanese captured the island, they could cut off the sea route between Australia and America. Japan’s army wanted to consolidate their forces and abandon the island Japan’s army wanted to consolidate their forces and abandon the island Navy disagreed, they thought abandoning it would make them seem weak. Navy disagreed, they thought abandoning it would make them seem weak.

Americans would be better able to protect Australia from Japanese invasion Americans would be better able to protect Australia from Japanese invasion They could also protect the Allied build- up in Australia that would act as a springboard for a major assault on the Japanese. They could also protect the Allied build- up in Australia that would act as a springboard for a major assault on the Japanese. American Incentive

American troops slogging through the jungles of Guadalcanal. Japanese air attack on shipping outside of Guadalcanal

The Invasion August 7th, Americans attacked on Guadalcanal. August 7th, Americans attacked on Guadalcanal. Up to that date, the amphibious force was the most powerful ever assembled. Up to that date, the amphibious force was the most powerful ever assembled. The Americans achieved complete tactical surprise. The Americans achieved complete tactical surprise. When Americans arrived on Red Beach they met absolutely no resistance. When Americans arrived on Red Beach they met absolutely no resistance.

Defending Henderson American troops secured Henderson airfield. American troops secured Henderson airfield. Japanese bombed airfield to prevent American use Japanese bombed airfield to prevent American use Despite Japanese efforts made repairs to airfield using abandoned Japanese vehicles Despite Japanese efforts made repairs to airfield using abandoned Japanese vehicles

Success for the Allies Major-General Alexander Vandegrift placed marines in strategic defense points and held off Japanese attempts to retake the airfield Major-General Alexander Vandegrift placed marines in strategic defense points and held off Japanese attempts to retake the airfield Using Henderson airfield marines received air support and supplies. Using Henderson airfield marines received air support and supplies. Japanese troops found it impossible to trek through the tolling jungle and attack the Americans. Japanese troops found it impossible to trek through the tolling jungle and attack the Americans.

Henderson Airfield

Captured Japanese ArtilleryAllied Torpedo bombers on Henderson Allied soldier prepares graves for fallen warriors JAPANESE MG POSITION

Video of Midway RGRW50&feature=fvw RGRW50&feature=fvw RGRW50&feature=fvw RGRW50&feature=fvw