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Period: to
The War in the Pacific
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China Joins the War
China declares war on Germany, Italy and Japan The US sent arms and equipment to China hoping to strengthen China Shortly after the war began, China's Nationalist leader Jiang Jieshi asked an American general, Joseph Stilwell, to serve as his chief of staff. China's ragtag forces fared poorly against the well-trained Japanese. They lost control of China's lifeline, the Burma Road, and retreated back into China. -
The Fall of the Philippines
Most of the Bataan defenders surrendering in early 1942 2000 soldiers and nurses escaped to fortify the Corregidor island American troops survived by living in rock tunnels More than 11000 Americans and Filipinos surrendered to invading Japanese forces on May 6 -
Battle of Coral Sea
Aircraft launched from aircraft carriers bombed and strafed enemy ships more than 70 miles away. The Japanese destroyed the Lexington and badly damaged the Yorktown, another carrier The battle was a draw, but it prevented the Japanese from invading Australia The Battle of the Coral Sea also opened a new chapter in naval warfare. From now on, aircraft and aircraft carriers would play the central role in naval battles. -
Bataan Death March
Many prisoners were treated brutally They were denied water and rest, many of them were beatened horribly During the 6-12 day journey at least 10000 prisoners died Those who survived were sent to prison camps where another 15000 died -
Battle of Midway
Japanese bomber attacks on the island and a simultaneous, unsuccessful American strike on the Japanese fleet At first, American planes based on Midway's airfields tried to fend off the Japanese carrier-based bombers. Then the American carriers intervened. The Americans swiftly sank three of the four heavy Japanese carriers and finished off the fourth, the Hiryu American victory! -
Battle of Guadalcanal
Provided the marines with their first taste of jungle warfare. They slogged through swamps, crossed rivers, and hacked through tangles of vines in search of the enemy After several fierce naval battles, the American navy took control of the waters around the island in November, limiting Japanese troop landings. Japan's outnumbered forces finally slipped off the island in February 1943. -
Island Hopping
In 1943 and 1944, the Allies pushed north from Australia and west across the Central Pacific. General MacArthur and Admiral William Halsey leapfrogged through the Solomon Islands while Admiral Nimitz led a similar island-hopping campaign in the Gilbert Islands. By February 1944, these attacks had crippled Japanese air power By the end of 1944, B-29 Superfortresses were dropping tons of explosives on Japanese cities. -
The Philippines Campaign
As American forces pushed toward Japan in the summer of 1944, military planners decided to bypass the Philippine Islands. MacArthur vigorously opposed this strategy, claiming that the United States had an obligation to free the Filipino people. In mid-October, some 160,000 American troops invaded the Philippine island of Leyte While American troops fought their way inland, the greatest naval battle in world history developed off the coast. -
Battle of Layte
This was the first battle in which Japanese kamikazes, or suicide planes, were used. Kamikaze pilots loaded their aircraft with bombs and then deliberately crashed them into enemy ships to inflict maximum damage. Despite this tactic, the American force virtually destroyed the Japanese navy and emerged victorious. Fighting left most of Manila in ruins and some 100,000 Filipino civilians dead. Not until June 1945 did the Allies control the Philippines. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
American forces suffered an estimated 25000 casualties The Us awarded 27 Metals of Honor for actions A photo has been honored for the American troops during WWII -
Battle of Okinawa
Fought fromm April to June 1945 Last obstacle to an Allied invasion of the Japanese home islands 100000 defenders had pledged to fight to death Allies gathered 1300 warships and more than 180000 combat troops As Americans came ashore defenders made equally charges This was an equally bloody battle
