World War II in the Pacific

World War II in the PacificChapter 17Japanese AdvancesJapanese empire much larger than HitlersConquered much of Asia

Early Japanese SuccessDouglas McArthurGreat military strategist In command of Allied Forces in PhilippinesAmerican Forces struggledAsked to leave Philippines by FDR

Doolittle's RaidMajor turning point of war in the PacificLieutenant James DoolittleLaunched Pearl Harbor-style attack against Tokyo in Spring 1942

Battle of the Coral SeaAmericans and Australians stopped Japanese drive towards Australia5 day battleFirst time Japanese invasion was stopped The Battle of MidwayIsland northwest of Hawaii Americans intercepted Japanese message about planned attack on MidwayAmericans caught Japanese off guard with attackMajor turning point of the warThe Allied OffensiveAllies began island hopping after MidwayTook territory back from JapanMoved towards JapanTook GuadalcanalBecame referred to as the Island of DeathJapanese Defense TacticsKamikazeSuicide plane bombingsCrashed into Allied shipsDid not help the Japanese turn the tides of the warJapanese suffered incredible losses in 3 days at Leyte Gulf3 Battleships4 Aircraft Carriers13 Cruisers500 PlanesIwo JimaIsland in the PacificU.S. bombers could reach Japan if they established a base thereHeavily defended by the Japanese6,000 U.S. Marines died in taking the island

OkinawaFinal obstacle for AlliesJapan launched more than 1,900 kamikaze attacks in defenseDeath tolls7,600 Americans110,000 JapaneseAllies predicted great losses if they invaded Japan1 million Americans500,000 British The Atomic BombThe Manhattan ProjectTop secret project to research and construct an atomic bombDirected by scientist J. Robert OppenheimerTested in New Mexico

Ending the WarTruman ordered dropping of bomb on two Japanese targetsHiroshima Aug. 6, 1945Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945Killed 200,000 people totalJapanese surrendered after second bombing

ersDoolittles Raid

Island Hopping

Battle of the Coral Sea