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Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a tremendous success for the Japanese. They dealt a blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet that would take months to overcome. The damage done to the Pacific Fleet combined with the Allies' decision to focus their energy and resources on defeating the Axis and Europe, limitied the ability for the U.S. to strike back on the Japanese. Pearl Harbor provided a major boost in national pride for the Japanese while it gave the Americans anger. -
The Battle of Java Sea
Japanese forces were easily taking control of the Dutch East Indies and British Borneo. In the Battle of Java Sea, they caused much damage to Allied navies. The Japanese also conquered British-controlled Burma as well as a number of key positions in the South pacific. In this way they gained control of rich oil reserves, which were vital to their military plans. They also establkished strategic bases for future operations. -
Loss of Philippines and Bataan Death March
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The Doolittle Raid
The U.S. launched an airraid atttack on Japan under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle. The air raid was centered around the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. Doolittle specially prepared a squadron of sixteen B-25 bombers to fly from the Hornet.The lightweight planes managed to take off from the Hornet and fly more than 800 miles to Japan, where they dropped bombs on oil reservoirs and naval facilities in Tokyo and several other cities. All 16 planes crash landed. -
The Battle of Coral Sea
Japanese invasion fleets were ordered to take over Tulagi in the Solomon Islands and Port Moresby on New Guinea, whish was the location of a major Allied base and the last Allied outpost standing between the Japanese navy and Australia. Two American aircraft carriers along with several cruisers and destroyers, were dispatched to stop the attacks and protect Port Moresby. The entire battle was carried out by carrier-based aircraft, without any ships exchanging shots. Both sides suffered heavy -
The Battle of Coral Sea Cont...
losses, and the Lexington was sunk. The Allied forces succeeded in protecting Port Moresby. -
The Battle of Midway
Japan initiated the attack on th U.S. base on Midway Island. American Naval planes responded to the Japanese armada in a series of waves. The first American attacks were easily repulsed, but eventually a group of dive-bombers got through japanese defences and nearly three Japanese aircraft carriers. The American bombers managed to hit all three planes on the aircraft carriers setting off a chain of explossions that left the ships in flames. The battle was over by the end of the day. -
The Battle of Guadalcanal
American intelligence reported that the Japanese were building an airfield on Guadalcanal. If completed, Japanese could easily reach Australia. American forces landed on Guadalcanal, subdued the small Japanese force, and seized the airfield. The Japanese began to re-deeploy forces on Guadalcanal. Fierce naval battles ensued as both sides tried to strengthen their forces in the following months. By mid October, both armies had deployed close to 25,000 men. -
The Battle of Guadlacanal Cont...
Transports attempted to land an additional 13,000 solders. They eventually landed 4000, but in just two days, American guns took out two battle ships, several destroyers, and a half dozen transport ships. during these battles the Americans strengthened their defenses over their transport and supply lines. By January, American forces approached 60,000, badly outnumbering the Japanese on the island. By February 9, the last Japanese soldier had been driven from the island. -
VJ Day
The day on which the Allied forces declared victory over Japan.
