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Bataan
When American and Filipino forces found themselves close to defeat in Bataan, President Roosevelt ordered General MacArthur to leave the Philippines to help with the war. -
General MacArthur leaves the Philippines
General MacArthur left with all his men and his family. Before leaving he promised to the Filipinos, "I shall return". -
Doolittle's Raid
Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his men launched a raid on Tokyo along with some other Japanese cities in a style similar to Pearl Harbor. He led 16 bombers in the raid, which both raised American spirits, and lowered the spirits of the Japanese. -
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Battle of the Coral Sea
American and Australian troops stopped an attack on Australia led by Japan in a 5 day battle. While many planes were launched from carriers, no shots were fired by surface ships. This was the first Japanese attack to be stopped since Pearl Harbor. -
The Battle of Midway
The Americans discovered that the Japanese were planning to take over the island of Midway. Admiral Chester Nimvitz sent naval ships to defend the island while also sending torpedo planes and dive bombers to attack the Japanese naval fleet. The Japanese were caught with their planes still in the hangars and by the end of the battle they had lost 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, and 250 planes. The Japanese saw this as America's way of "avenging" Pearl Harbor. -
Americans Storm Guadalcanal
The Americans send 19,000 troops to secure Guadalcanal. After 6 months of fighting, the Japanese abandoned the island, calling it the "Island of Death'". This marked Japan's first defeat on land. -
Leyte Island
Around 142,000 allied troops and 738 ships came together to fight the Japanese on Leyte island in the Philippines. After being gone for two years, General MacArthur waded to shore and said "People of the Philippines, I have returned". -
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Iwo Jima
Despite how abysmal the island looked, Iwo Jima was a critical base of operations for the Americans due to its location. Once Iwo Jima was taken by the United States only 1 island was left to be captured. -
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Battle of Okinawa
The Americans invaded Okinawa, the final island to take from the Japanese. The Japanese led over 1,900 kamikaze attacks against American forces, destroying 30 ships, damaging 300, and killing almost 5,000 American seamen. By the end of the battle 7,600 Americans were killed, but the Japanese had lost over 110,000 lives defending the island. This total included two Japanese generals, who chose suicide by the sword over surrender. -
The Bombing of Hiroshima
After much debate as to whether or not the allies should invade Japan, President Truman decided that the best course of action would be to drop the Atomic bomb on Japan. It was a clear and sunny day on August 6, 1945. As the Enola Gay appeared above Hiroshima, it dropped the first atomic bomb, Little Boy. Little Boy killed around 150,000 Japanese people. -
The Bombing of Nagasaki
Just 3 days later Nagasaki was bombed with the atomic bomb known as "Fat Man". Fat Man killed around 75,000 Japanese people. -
Japan Surrenders
After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Emperor Hirohito is horrified by the carnage that has taken place. Finally on September 2, 1945, Hirohito ordered that Japan's leaders draw up papers to end the war.
