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Doolittle's Raid
-Air attack on Japan. Most bombs hit Tokyo and few hit Nagoya.
-Launched from aircraft carrier Hornet le by Lt. Colonel James H. Doolittle.
-Supposed to have launched from 400 miles off coast of Japan, but instead launched from 600 miles.
-America claims this victory, despite losing most of their pilots in the process.
-Only a few crewmen survived the mission.
-The movie Pearl Harbor is based off of these events. -
Battle of The Coral Sea
-First of the Pacific War's six fights between aircraft carrier forces.
-Intended for Japanese to capture naval base in order to launch invasion of Austrailia.
-U.S lost a carrier and destroyer in this fight plus a valueable oiler, however, Japan cancelled invasion following the battle.
-Japan won this battle. -
Battle of Midway
-Japan wanted to set up an airbase on the island.
-Japan wanted to avenge loss of Doolittle Raid and prove their naval strength.
-American intelligance ruined surprise of Japanese attack.
-This was the start of the American offensive in the Pacific Theatre.
-U.S. won this battle -
Guadalcanal
-American forces took control of Henderson Airfield.
-Battle lasted until February of 1943.
-Stratigic victory for America.
-Japan lost twice as many naval ships as U.S.
-America won this battle. -
Battle of Saipan
- Japan ordered to take no prisoners.
- The day after Operation Overlord was launched in Europe.
- 22,000 civilians commited suiside, along with 5,000 Japanese soldiers. -American only lost 3,000 men to Japan's 25,000
- America won the battle
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Iwo Jima
- First American attack on Japanese home islands.
- Only 216 of 22,060 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner.
- Considered "impossible" for America to lose this battle.
- 21,844 Japanese casulties.
- America won this battle.
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Okinawa
- America to use island to launch attack on mainland Japan.
- 82-Day long battle.
- 95,000+ Japanese soldiers killed, 150,000 civilians killed.
- Only 12,000 Allied troops killed.
- Considered the beginning of the end for Japan.
- America won this battle.
