World War II The war to end all wars (part 2). Pacific.

World War IIWorld War IIThe “war to The “war to

end all wars”end all wars”

(part 2)(part 2)

PacificPacific

The WarThe War in the in the PacificPacific

The Japanese OnslaughtThe Japanese Onslaught

After attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese After attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese navy continued to expand its conquestsnavy continued to expand its conquests– February 1942, British SingaporeFebruary 1942, British Singapore

– March 1942, the Dutch colony of Java March 1942, the Dutch colony of Java

Island colonies, territories, and nations in Island colonies, territories, and nations in Southeast Asia continued to fall one after Southeast Asia continued to fall one after anotheranother

Japanese forces exploded across the Japanese forces exploded across the South China Sea and into the Bay of South China Sea and into the Bay of BengalBengal

By June 1942 - Japan controlled By June 1942 - Japan controlled – much of China, much of China, – nations of eastern and southern Asia, nations of eastern and southern Asia, – and a string of Pacific islands.and a string of Pacific islands.

3 Key Aspects3 Key AspectsFirst, locationFirst, location

–much of the fighting much of the fighting took place in dense took place in dense jungle terrain.jungle terrain.

Second, strategySecond, strategy–the main American the main American offensive was offensive was amphibious landings of amphibious landings of marines on small marines on small islands.islands.

Third, styleThird, style–naval, rather than air, naval, rather than air, supremacy proved to supremacy proved to be the key to victory.be the key to victory.

Island-hopping StrategyIsland-hopping Strategy

Selectively capturing key islands Selectively capturing key islands while bypassing other heavily while bypassing other heavily Japanese-fortified islands.Japanese-fortified islands.

Establishing airfields on the captured Establishing airfields on the captured islands and heavily bombing the islands and heavily bombing the fortified ones and cutting them off fortified ones and cutting them off from Japenese supply lines.from Japenese supply lines.

Aerial BombingAerial Bombing– Bombers from aircraft carriers or nearby land bases “soften up” Bombers from aircraft carriers or nearby land bases “soften up”

islands before amphibious assaultsislands before amphibious assaults

Storming the BeachStorming the Beach– Behind further bombardment from offshore battleships, marines Behind further bombardment from offshore battleships, marines

storm the beachesstorm the beaches

Establishing Air BasesEstablishing Air Bases– Once an island was secured, it was transformed into a staging Once an island was secured, it was transformed into a staging

area for aerial attacks on nearby islandsarea for aerial attacks on nearby islands

The Doolittle RaidThe Doolittle RaidApril 18, 1942, air raid dropping bombs on oil April 18, 1942, air raid dropping bombs on oil reservoirs and naval facilities in Tokyo and several reservoirs and naval facilities in Tokyo and several other citiesother cities

Lieutenant Colonel James DoolittleLieutenant Colonel James Doolittle

16 American B-25 bombers from the USS Hornet 16 American B-25 bombers from the USS Hornet

The raid did minimal damage to Japan, butThe raid did minimal damage to Japan, but– it was a powerful psychological victory for the USit was a powerful psychological victory for the US– it demonstrated that the Japanese homeland was indeed it demonstrated that the Japanese homeland was indeed

vulnerablevulnerable

The PhilippinesThe PhilippinesApril 1942 - American and Filipino forced to April 1942 - American and Filipino forced to surrender Philippine Islands surrender Philippine Islands American General Douglas MacArthur American General Douglas MacArthur ordered to leave his menordered to leave his men– MacArthur promises “I shall return.”MacArthur promises “I shall return.”

Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March– 10,000 American and 60,000 Filipino prisoners 10,000 American and 60,000 Filipino prisoners

forced to march 63 miles in tropical heat with forced to march 63 miles in tropical heat with little food or waterlittle food or water

– 7,000 -10,000 died7,000 -10,000 died

Bataan Bataan Death Death MarchMarch

The Battle of Coral SeaThe Battle of Coral Sea

May 1942 - Port Moresby on the island of May 1942 - Port Moresby on the island of New Guinea was targeted for invasion New Guinea was targeted for invasion

The entire battle was carried out by carrier-The entire battle was carried out by carrier-based aircraft, without any ships exchanging based aircraft, without any ships exchanging shotsshots

11stst time in history that a naval battle was time in history that a naval battle was waged exclusively from the airwaged exclusively from the air

American naval forces wonAmerican naval forces won

The Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway

June 1942, Japan attacked the U.S. June 1942, Japan attacked the U.S. base on Midway Islandbase on Midway Island

Japanese did not anticipate significant Japanese did not anticipate significant American naval forcesAmerican naval forces– US officers broke a Japanese codeUS officers broke a Japanese code

American naval forces wonAmerican naval forces won– It was a decisive Japanese naval defeatIt was a decisive Japanese naval defeat– All 4 Japanese carriers sunk vs. one US carrierAll 4 Japanese carriers sunk vs. one US carrier

August 1942 – February 1943August 1942 – February 1943

American forces won the 6 month American forces won the 6 month Battle of Guadalcanal, a key island.Battle of Guadalcanal, a key island.– Japan had control in July 1942Japan had control in July 1942

– Allied control would help protect AustraliaAllied control would help protect Australia

– Marines landed on Guadalcanal and Marines landed on Guadalcanal and quickly seized the Japanese built airfieldquickly seized the Japanese built airfield

– Several Japanese counterattacks were Several Japanese counterattacks were repulsedrepulsed

The Island CampaignsThe Island Campaigns

The Allies fought fiercely from The Allies fought fiercely from 1943-1945 to free the many other 1943-1945 to free the many other South Pacific island groups that South Pacific island groups that Japan had seized earlier in the war. Japan had seized earlier in the war.

Many of these islands had formerly Many of these islands had formerly been territories of the US, Britain, been territories of the US, Britain, or other Allied countries.or other Allied countries.

19431943Allied forces in the Pacific Allied forces in the Pacific continued to make steady continued to make steady progress across the progress across the Southwest Pacific.Southwest Pacific.

19441944Allies captured key Allies captured key locations in the Gilbert, locations in the Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline, and Marshall, Caroline, and Marianna Islands.Marianna Islands.

Summer 1944Summer 1944The Battle of the Philippines beganThe Battle of the Philippines began– Huge sea battleHuge sea battle

– The Battle of Leyte GulfThe Battle of Leyte Gulf

– Japan lost most of its naval air powerJapan lost most of its naval air power

October, 1944 - General MacArthur October, 1944 - General MacArthur kept his promise and returned kept his promise and returned victorious to the Philippines.victorious to the Philippines.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur wades ashore during initial landings at Leyte, Philippine Islands

During this During this battle, Japanese battle, Japanese pilots used the pilots used the kamikaze suicide kamikaze suicide tactic for the first tactic for the first time.time.

Japanese lost 49,000 soldiers out of a total of 55,000 involved in the conflict

United States lost only 3,500 troops

Iwo Jima was the first place an invader's flag ever flew over Japanese home territory.

Ira Hayes, Mike Strank, Franklin Sousley, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, Harlon Block

The pole weighed over 100 lbs.

February 23, 1945

Battle of Iwo JimaBattle of Iwo JimaFebruary 1945 – first battle to be fought on February 1945 – first battle to be fought on Japanese soilJapanese soil

Tiny volcanic island ~ 750 miles south of Tiny volcanic island ~ 750 miles south of TokyoTokyo

Iwo Jima was the only Japanese base Iwo Jima was the only Japanese base capable of interfering with American bombing capable of interfering with American bombing operations against Japanoperations against Japan

Subject of the movie, Subject of the movie, Flags of Our FathersFlags of Our Fathers

Battle of Iwo JimaBattle of Iwo JimaUnderground tunnels and bunkers, especially Mt. Underground tunnels and bunkers, especially Mt. Suribachi, which overlooked the southern end of Suribachi, which overlooked the southern end of the island.(580 ft)the island.(580 ft)

The capture of Mt. Suribachi didn’t mean the battle The capture of Mt. Suribachi didn’t mean the battle was over; Japan refused to surrenderwas over; Japan refused to surrender– It would be more than a month before U.S. forces It would be more than a month before U.S. forces

secured the entire islandsecured the entire island

~20,000 Japanese soldiers—nearly all the forces ~20,000 Japanese soldiers—nearly all the forces on the island—were killedon the island—were killed

The American death toll was ~7,000 The American death toll was ~7,000

Once cleared, the Once cleared, the island was used as island was used as a fighter base for a fighter base for escorting bombers escorting bombers over Japan and as over Japan and as an emergency an emergency landing site for B-29 landing site for B-29 bombers operating bombers operating from the Mariannas.from the Mariannas.

The island is shy of 5 miles long, 2-1/2 miles wide at its widest at the north end and 700 yards at the south end; about 350 above sea level

Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaApril 1,1945 – US invaded the islandApril 1,1945 – US invaded the island– Only 350 miles from JapanOnly 350 miles from Japan– Bloodiest battle the US faced in the PacificBloodiest battle the US faced in the Pacific– The last large-scale battle in the PacificThe last large-scale battle in the Pacific– Japanese troops defended the island from Japanese troops defended the island from

entrenched positions, much like Iwo Jimaentrenched positions, much like Iwo Jima

Unlike Iwo Jima, Okinawa had a large civilian Unlike Iwo Jima, Okinawa had a large civilian population, which became one of the great population, which became one of the great tragedies of the battletragedies of the battle

Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaBy June of 1945, the Americans had By June of 1945, the Americans had gained control of the islandgained control of the island

Losses: Over 12,000 Americans and Losses: Over 12,000 Americans and 110,000 Japanese110,000 Japanese

As on Iwo Jima, Japanese willingness to As on Iwo Jima, Japanese willingness to fight on when death was certain amazed fight on when death was certain amazed and worried the USand worried the US– ““I see no way to get them out…except to blast I see no way to get them out…except to blast

them out yard by yard.”them out yard by yard.”

The Japanese planned a massive series of kamikaze attacks on the large US fleet of naval vessels anchored offshore

The The Kamikaze attacks didn’t do as much damage as the Japanese had anticipated

U.S. fleet remained in place and continued to offer air support to the troops on the ground

Tokyo Air RaidsTokyo Air Raids

During the same months that Allied forces in During the same months that Allied forces in Europe were closing in on Germany, Allied Europe were closing in on Germany, Allied forces in the Pacific were closing in on Japan. forces in the Pacific were closing in on Japan.

In March 1945, General Curtis LeMay used a In March 1945, General Curtis LeMay used a heavy bombing tactic that was designed to heavy bombing tactic that was designed to produce a tremendous firestorm in the produce a tremendous firestorm in the bombed area. bombed area. – 84,000 Japanese killed 84,000 Japanese killed – 270,000 buildings destroyed 270,000 buildings destroyed

Tokyo Air RaidsTokyo Air Raids

The operations directly targeted the Japanese The operations directly targeted the Japanese civilian population in addition to industrial and civilian population in addition to industrial and military targets. military targets.

The strategy was simply to destroy the The strategy was simply to destroy the Japanese will to resistJapanese will to resist

By late summer, little of Tokyo and the other By late summer, little of Tokyo and the other targeted cities were left standing. targeted cities were left standing.

President Truman’s DecisionPresident Truman’s Decision

Harry Truman became 33Harry Truman became 33rdrd President President when FDR died while in officewhen FDR died while in office– April 1945April 1945

After the horrific losses at Iwo Jima After the horrific losses at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, he knew that perhaps a and Okinawa, he knew that perhaps a million Americans will die if he million Americans will die if he decides to invade mainland Japan.decides to invade mainland Japan.

The Japanese government The Japanese government has vowed that it will fight has vowed that it will fight until the last and will never until the last and will never surrender.surrender.

Truman decided to use the Truman decided to use the new atomic bomb that was new atomic bomb that was developed by the Manhattan developed by the Manhattan Project.Project.

August 6, 1945August 6, 1945An atomic bomb is dropped on the An atomic bomb is dropped on the military city of military city of HiroshimaHiroshima by a lone by a lone American bomber, the Enola Gay.American bomber, the Enola Gay.–Nearly everything within a one-mile Nearly everything within a one-mile

radius of the blast is destroyedradius of the blast is destroyed

–Heavy damage: three miles outHeavy damage: three miles out

–Lighter damage: 12 miles outLighter damage: 12 miles out

2/3rds of the city’s 90,000 buildings were 2/3rds of the city’s 90,000 buildings were destroyed in the blastdestroyed in the blast

80,000 people were killed instantly80,000 people were killed instantly– By the end of the year, 60,000 more victims would die By the end of the year, 60,000 more victims would die

from radiation poisoning, and thousands more would from radiation poisoning, and thousands more would die in the years to come, from cancer and other long-die in the years to come, from cancer and other long-term effects of the radiationterm effects of the radiation

100,000 were wounded or missing100,000 were wounded or missing

The Japanese government still refused to The Japanese government still refused to surrendersurrender

August 9, 1945August 9, 1945A second atomic bomb is A second atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese naval-dropped on the Japanese naval-base city of Nagasaki.base city of Nagasaki.

40,000 people died40,000 people died

The entire city was destroyedThe entire city was destroyed

V-J DayV-J DayAugust 15, 1945August 15, 1945– Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender in Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender in

accordance with the Potsdam Declarationaccordance with the Potsdam Declaration– Japan finally surrendered under the condition that Japan finally surrendered under the condition that

the Japanese emperor be allowed to retain his the Japanese emperor be allowed to retain his throne.throne.

September 2, 1945September 2, 1945– The formal surrender took place on the deck of the The formal surrender took place on the deck of the

American battleship American battleship MissouriMissouri in Tokyo Bay in Tokyo Bay

V-J Day = Victory in Japan DayV-J Day = Victory in Japan Day

Challenges of VictoryChallenges of VictoryThe creation of the United NationsThe creation of the United Nations– June 1945, reps from 50 countries met in San June 1945, reps from 50 countries met in San

Francisco, CAFrancisco, CA

The Postdam ConferenceThe Postdam Conference– July 1945, leaders of the Allied nations met to July 1945, leaders of the Allied nations met to

carry on the work begun at Yaltacarry on the work begun at Yalta

Rebuilding Europe and JapanRebuilding Europe and Japan– Creation of a new diplomatic government and Creation of a new diplomatic government and

rebuild the nation’s economyrebuild the nation’s economy

Cost of the Cost of the WarWar

Each symbol indicates 100,000 dead in the appropriate theater of operations

Each symbol indicates 100,000 dead in the appropriate theater of operations

Economic CostsEconomic Costs

United States - $341 billionUnited States - $341 billion

Germany - $272 billionGermany - $272 billion

Soviet Union - $192 billionSoviet Union - $192 billion

Great Britain - $120 billionGreat Britain - $120 billion

Italy - $94 billionItaly - $94 billion

Japan - $56 billionJapan - $56 billion

Human CostsHuman Costs

SovietSoviet Union Union

–13 million, military13 million, military–7 million civilians7 million civilians

China China –3.5 million military3.5 million military–10 million civilian10 million civilian

GermanyGermany–3.5 million military3.5 million military–3.8 million civilians3.8 million civilians

PolandPoland–120 thousand military120 thousand military–5.3 million civilians5.3 million civilians

JapanJapan–1.7 million military1.7 million military–380 thousand civilians380 thousand civilians

UnitedUnited States States–292,131 military battle deaths292,131 military battle deaths–115,187 other causes115,187 other causes

Total Allied military and civilian Total Allied military and civilian losseslosses

44 million44 million

Total Axis military and civilian Total Axis military and civilian losseslosses

11 million11 million

AANewNew

WorldWorldEmergedEmerged

Germany, Japan, Germany, Japan, France, and Great France, and Great Britain all ceased to be Britain all ceased to be great, military powers great, military powers leaving only …leaving only …

Union of Soviet Socialist Union of Soviet Socialist RepublicsRepublics

And the …And the …

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

To vie for world power To vie for world power and control during what and control during what will become known as will become known as the…the…

Cold WarCold War