WWII – The War in the WWII – The War in the PacificPacific

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Economic decline had prompted Japan to invade Manchuria Economic decline had prompted Japan to invade Manchuria

in 1931, seeking new sources of raw materials.in 1931, seeking new sources of raw materials. By 1941 U.S.—Japan tensions prompted President Rosevelt By 1941 U.S.—Japan tensions prompted President Rosevelt

to issue an embargo on all U.S. oil, rubber and scrap iron to issue an embargo on all U.S. oil, rubber and scrap iron exports to Japanexports to Japan

Since the Japanese industrial and military base depended Since the Japanese industrial and military base depended on U.S. imports, the imperial leadership had to either on U.S. imports, the imperial leadership had to either withdraw from Manchuria or claim new sources of refined withdraw from Manchuria or claim new sources of refined materials.materials.

Japan controls the PacificJapan controls the Pacific

• Japan attacks various Pacific locations – Japan attacks various Pacific locations – late 1941late 1941

• Japan controlled Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan controlled Hong Kong, Thailand, Guam, Wake, Burma, MalayaGuam, Wake, Burma, Malaya

• Japan attacks Philippines – pushes Japan attacks Philippines – pushes U.S./Filipino troops from Manila to U.S./Filipino troops from Manila to Bataan Peninsula – Gen. Douglas Bataan Peninsula – Gen. Douglas MacArthur fights to standstill MacArthur fights to standstill

Prelude to WarPrelude to War

Japan seeks to establish “The Japan seeks to establish “The Greater East Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity SphereAsia Co-Prosperity Sphere””• ““a bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free a bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free

of Western powers”of Western powers”• Invasions of Manchuria and Korea followInvasions of Manchuria and Korea follow

Three political forces in Japan:Three political forces in Japan:• Emperor HirohitoEmperor Hirohito• Civilian GovernmentCivilian Government• Military branchesMilitary branches

The army informs the civilian gov’t of the The army informs the civilian gov’t of the Manchuria campaign two months after it begins.Manchuria campaign two months after it begins.

PrewarPrewar

19321932

19371937

AB

C

D

“ABCD Encirclement”

19401940

19411941

Dec 8/7 1941

Attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl HarborDec 7, 1941. “A day that will live in infamy”

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor ImgPearl Harbor Img

Fleet Admiral YamamotoFleet Admiral Yamamoto

Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

“The US fleet is a dagger pointed at our throat and must be destroyed.”

“I can run wild for six months,after that, I have no expectation of success.”

- Yamamoto, during discussions on the planned Pearl Harbour Attack

The AttackThe Attack

The AttackThe Attack

AftermathAftermath

"Being saturated and satiated with emotion and sensation, I went to bed and slept the sleep of the saved and thankful.”

- Winston Churchill

Slow Start in Pacific Slow Start in Pacific significant damage to the U.S. Pacific Fleetsignificant damage to the U.S. Pacific Fleet

• it took months to overcome the attack.it took months to overcome the attack.

The Japanese victories following Pearl Harbor: The Japanese victories following Pearl Harbor:

• Wake Island and GuamWake Island and Guam

• Captured Hong KongCaptured Hong Kong

• Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and British BorneoDutch East Indies (Indonesia) and British Borneo

• Battle of Java SeaBattle of Java Sea

• Burma (British-controlled)Burma (British-controlled) The Japanese soldiers were highly skilled and well trained.The Japanese soldiers were highly skilled and well trained. The Japanese military had excellent equipment.The Japanese military had excellent equipment.

The PhilippinesThe Philippines•Japan invaded the Philippines (American-controlled) December 1941.

•General Douglas MacArthur

•Retreated to the Bataan Peninsula.

•Too risky to send reinforcements

•April 1942, the 10,000 American and 60,000 Filipino troops surrendered.

Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March

• American and American and Filipino soldiers Filipino soldiers forced to march 60 forced to march 60 miles without food miles without food or water by the or water by the Japanese. Japanese.

Thousands dieThousands die

Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March

Bataan Bataan Death Death MarchMarch

James Doolittle

•Led a group of 16 American Led a group of 16 American bombers on a daring air raid of bombers on a daring air raid of Tokyo and several other Tokyo and several other Japanese cities April 1942Japanese cities April 1942

•Doolittle’s raid did not do Doolittle’s raid did not do major damage to the Japanese major damage to the Japanese targets, but it did give the targets, but it did give the American people something to American people something to celebrate and worried Japan’s celebrate and worried Japan’s leaders.leaders.

Allied Advances in the PacificAllied Advances in the Pacific

Lt. Col. James Doolittle

Dolittle RaidDolittle Raid

Battle of Coral SeaBattle of Coral Sea Japan prepared to invade New

Guinea. U.S. sent two aircraft carriers

to stop the attack. Off the coast of Australia

This was a completely aerial battle between planes launched from carriers (first time in history)

No clear winner in the battle – The Americans lost an aircraft carrier in the battle but stopped the Japanese attack.

First time the Japanese advance had been halted

Plane-to-plane combat at the Battle of Coral Sea. This was the first ‘completely aerial’

battle ever

Coral Sea Battle MapCoral Sea Battle Map

19411941

19421942

19421942

Battle of GuadalcanalBattle of Guadalcanal August 1942 – August 1942 –

Americans win first Americans win first major LAND victory on major LAND victory on the island of the island of GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

U.S. used Navajo U.S. used Navajo Indians as “Code-Indians as “Code-talkers”talkers”

Helped the U.S. Helped the U.S. communicate safely communicate safely without the Japanese without the Japanese translating our translating our messagesmessages A Navajo “Code-Talker” in action

Navajo Code Talkers• Hundreds of Native Americans of the Navajo Hundreds of Native Americans of the Navajo

nation served in the Marines as code talkers.nation served in the Marines as code talkers.• Japanese code-breakers never figured it out. Japanese code-breakers never figured it out. • Only about 25 non-Navajo people in the entire Only about 25 non-Navajo people in the entire

world could speak the languageworld could speak the language• Made up words for terms that didn’t exist in Made up words for terms that didn’t exist in

their language (names of birds meant their language (names of birds meant “airplanes” and the word “egg” actually meant “airplanes” and the word “egg” actually meant “bomb”)“bomb”)

• Used during the battle of Iwo Jima with Used during the battle of Iwo Jima with great success.great success.

Navajo Code TalkersNavajo Code Talkers

1943-1943-19441944

1944-1944-19451945

U.S.S. LexingtonU.S.S. Lexington

U.S.S. LexingtonU.S.S. Lexington

U.S.S. LexingtonU.S.S. Lexington

Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway

• Battle took place June 4-7 1942, one month after the Battle took place June 4-7 1942, one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, five months after the Japanese Battle of the Coral Sea, five months after the Japanese capture of Wake Island, exactly six months to the day capture of Wake Island, exactly six months to the day after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. •Campaign to establish a Japanese airbase on Midway Campaign to establish a Japanese airbase on Midway Island, within bombing range of HawaiiIsland, within bombing range of Hawaii•Japanese wanted to surprise the US navy with an Japanese wanted to surprise the US navy with an attack, but…attack, but…Naval officers had broken a Japanese code and Naval officers had broken a Japanese code and learned of the plan.learned of the plan.The Americans destroyed 3 of the 4 Japanese The Americans destroyed 3 of the 4 Japanese carriers and won a major victory.carriers and won a major victory.

Plan of AttackPlan of Attack

The Battle Of MidwayThe Battle Of Midway

The Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway

YY OO RR KK TT OO WW NN

Japanese ship shortly before sinking

America now on the Offensive: America now on the Offensive: New Strategy – Island HoppingNew Strategy – Island Hopping

The Americans used The Americans used Island HoppingIsland Hopping – They – They would capture lightly-defended islands would capture lightly-defended islands throughout the Pacific, one by one, until throughout the Pacific, one by one, until they had “HOPPED” their way towards they had “HOPPED” their way towards JapanJapan

The Pacific Ocean was so BIG – the U.S. The Pacific Ocean was so BIG – the U.S. needed a way to get closerneeded a way to get closer

This would get the U.S. within striking This would get the U.S. within striking distance of Japan & allow the U.S. to set up distance of Japan & allow the U.S. to set up bases at all of the conquered islands along bases at all of the conquered islands along the waythe way

Island-Hopping WarfareIsland-Hopping Warfare

American and Australian troops land in Borneo

Island-Hopping WarfareIsland-Hopping Warfare

American Troops assaulting Iwo Jima

Americans re-take the PhilippinesAmericans re-take the Philippines

October 1944 – October 1944 – American returned American returned to the Philippines to the Philippines after “Island after “Island Hopping” our way Hopping” our way therethere

General MacArthur General MacArthur made good on his made good on his promise to “return” promise to “return” to the Philippinesto the Philippines Gen. MacArthur “returning”

to the Philippines

Japanese “Kamikazes”Japanese “Kamikazes”

Japanese suicide pilotsJapanese suicide pilots Filled planes full of Filled planes full of

explosives and explosives and crashed them into crashed them into Allied warshipsAllied warships

Often were Often were inexperienced pilots inexperienced pilots with outdated with outdated equipmentequipment

Kamikaze attack on a U.S. aircraft carrier

The Battles of Iwo Jima andThe Battles of Iwo Jima andOkinawaOkinawa

The Allies started to bomb Japan to The Allies started to bomb Japan to weaken their defensesweaken their defenses

In order to get close enough, the In order to get close enough, the Allies would have to establish bases Allies would have to establish bases on islands near Japanon islands near Japan

Japanese forces would defend these Japanese forces would defend these islands fiercelyislands fiercely

The Battle of Iwo JimaThe Battle of Iwo Jima• In February 1945 American forces set out to capture In February 1945 American forces set out to capture

the island of Iwo Jima.the island of Iwo Jima.• The island would provide a good base to launch raids The island would provide a good base to launch raids

against major Japanese cities.against major Japanese cities.• For the first time, Japanese soldiers were fighting for For the first time, Japanese soldiers were fighting for

and on Japanese land.and on Japanese land.• The Japanese fought ferociously and refused to The Japanese fought ferociously and refused to

surrender.surrender.• The Allies eventually won.The Allies eventually won.

Iwo JimaIwo Jima

23,000 U.S. troops 23,000 U.S. troops killed or wounded killed or wounded in order to take Iwo in order to take Iwo JimaJima

Victory marked by Victory marked by the raising of the the raising of the U.S. flag atop Mt. U.S. flag atop Mt. SuribachiSuribachi

Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi at the Battle of Iwo

Jima

Iwo Jima Video ClipIwo Jima Video Clip

The Battle of OkinawaThe Battle of Okinawa

• Allied troops invaded on April 1, 1945.Allied troops invaded on April 1, 1945.• The island was to be the launching pad for the final invasion The island was to be the launching pad for the final invasion

of Japan.of Japan.• It was a bloody battle; more than 12,000 American died at It was a bloody battle; more than 12,000 American died at

the the Battle of Okinawa.Battle of Okinawa.• Like Iwo Jima, the Japanese refused to surrender and lost a Like Iwo Jima, the Japanese refused to surrender and lost a

staggering 110,000 troops.staggering 110,000 troops.• Allies gained control of the island in June 1945.Allies gained control of the island in June 1945.

Battle of OkinawaBattle of Okinawa

Japanese defend Japanese defend island fiercelyisland fiercely

Last hurdle before Last hurdle before U.S. would invade U.S. would invade JapanJapan

Mass-suicide by Mass-suicide by Japanese started to Japanese started to make the U.S. make the U.S. wonder – “will they wonder – “will they ever surrender?”ever surrender?”

Allied Progress in the PacificAllied Progress in the Pacific • The Allies gained control of territory in the Solomon The Allies gained control of territory in the Solomon

Islands to protect Australia, and also the Gilbert, Islands to protect Australia, and also the Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana islandsMarshall, Caroline, and Mariana islands

• Took advantage of American industrial power by Took advantage of American industrial power by replacing ships and aircrafts, which Japan was unable replacing ships and aircrafts, which Japan was unable to doto do

• European successes allowed more resources to be European successes allowed more resources to be made available in the Pacific.made available in the Pacific.

• Recaptured the PhilippinesRecaptured the Philippines• Captured strategic Japanese islands of Iwo Jima and Captured strategic Japanese islands of Iwo Jima and

OkinawaOkinawa

The Final YearThe Final Year The US retakes the Philippines in a long and costly The US retakes the Philippines in a long and costly

campaign.campaign. Borneo, Iwo Jima and the Okinawa fall, with heavy losses on Borneo, Iwo Jima and the Okinawa fall, with heavy losses on

both sides.both sides. The military leadership of Japan refuses to give up, in spite The military leadership of Japan refuses to give up, in spite

of the loss of the bulk of their forces.of the loss of the bulk of their forces. An edict is issued, ordering civilians on the main Japanese An edict is issued, ordering civilians on the main Japanese

islands to construct bamboo spears and meet the invaders islands to construct bamboo spears and meet the invaders on the beaches.on the beaches.

US Bombers produce a firestorm in Tokyo, killing 100,000 US Bombers produce a firestorm in Tokyo, killing 100,000 people in two days.people in two days.

The US, Britain and China issue the Potsdam Declaration, The US, Britain and China issue the Potsdam Declaration, demanding Japan’s surrender.demanding Japan’s surrender.

The Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project

U.S. feared that an invasion of Japan U.S. feared that an invasion of Japan would result in 200,000 American would result in 200,000 American casualties – and perhaps 1-2 million casualties – and perhaps 1-2 million Japanese casualtiesJapanese casualties

U.S. considers using an “Atomic U.S. considers using an “Atomic Bomb” to end the war quicklyBomb” to end the war quickly

Bomb had been developed as part of Bomb had been developed as part of the “Manhattan Project” since 1942the “Manhattan Project” since 1942

Nuclear StrikesNuclear Strikes

Aug 6, 1945. Uranium bomb “Little Boy” dropped on Hiroshima, killing 140,000

Aug 9, 1945. Plutonium bomb “Fat Man” dropped on Nagasaki, killing 74,000

U.S. uses the atomic bombsU.S. uses the atomic bombs President Truman President Truman

warned Japan to either warned Japan to either surrender or else face surrender or else face “complete “complete destruction”destruction”

Japan refusedJapan refused U.S. drops bombs on U.S. drops bombs on

Hiroshima (70,000 Hiroshima (70,000 killed) and Nagasaki killed) and Nagasaki (40,000 killed)(40,000 killed)

Japan surrenders five Japan surrenders five days laterdays later

Japan SurrendersJapan Surrenders

Representatives of Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Army and Navy appear to sign the surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay

The CostThe Cost

2,000,000 Japanese Soldiers dead2,000,000 Japanese Soldiers dead 300,000 Allied Soldiers dead300,000 Allied Soldiers dead 600,000 - 1,000,000 Japanese civilians dead600,000 - 1,000,000 Japanese civilians dead 11,000 American civilians dead11,000 American civilians dead 60,000 Korean civilians dead60,000 Korean civilians dead Mass devastation of Japanese infrastructureMass devastation of Japanese infrastructure Indigenous people of north and western Pacific Indigenous people of north and western Pacific

islands devastated by disease, cultural islands devastated by disease, cultural contamination, collateral damage, and atrocities.contamination, collateral damage, and atrocities.

The list continues…The list continues…

Image CreditsImage Credits Slide 1: Slide 1:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USS_Yorktown_hit-740px.jpg - From Wikipedia - From Wikipedia

Slide 2: Image Captured From Google EarthSlide 2: Image Captured From Google Earth Slide 3: Flag images from WikipediaSlide 3: Flag images from Wikipedia Slide 5+:Map of Japanese Empire: Slide 5+:Map of Japanese Empire:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Japanese_Empire2.png from from WikipediaWikipedia

Slides 10,11,12: Images from WikipediaSlides 10,11,12: Images from Wikipedia Slide 13: Images from Warbird Alley and WikipediaSlide 13: Images from Warbird Alley and Wikipedia Slides 14,15,16: Image from Wikipedia and the US National Slides 14,15,16: Image from Wikipedia and the US National

ArchivesArchives Slide 19: Midway Atoll Photo from WikipediaSlide 19: Midway Atoll Photo from Wikipedia Slide 21: Midway Attack Plan Map from Slide 21: Midway Attack Plan Map from

www.historychannel.com Slide 26: B-29 Images from the University of San Diego, Slide 26: B-29 Images from the University of San Diego,

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/st/~plewis/ and Wikipedia and Wikipedia Slides 27-32: Image from WikipediaSlides 27-32: Image from Wikipedia

Early WWII Battles in the PacificEarly WWII Battles in the Pacific

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941) Japanese win (Dec. 7, 1941) Japanese win Battle of the PhilippinesBattle of the Philippines (Dec. 41) (Dec. 41)

Japanese winJapanese win Doolittle’s Raid on TokyoDoolittle’s Raid on Tokyo (Apr. 42) Little (Apr. 42) Little

damage inflicted – but a morale booster damage inflicted – but a morale booster for the USAfor the USA

Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea (May 42) No (May 42) No winner, but stopped Japan from invading winner, but stopped Japan from invading AustraliaAustralia

Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway (June 42) Big US win (June 42) Big US win Battle of GuadalcanalBattle of Guadalcanal (Aug. 42) US win – (Aug. 42) US win –

land victory using Navajo code-talkersland victory using Navajo code-talkers