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Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that brought the United Stated into World War Two. On this day 353 Japanese planes attacked the sunk or damaged 16 US ships in Pearl Harbor. Also on this day 2,402 Americans lost their lives. The Japanese mistakenly believed that a preemtive strike on the US fleet that was based at Pearl Harbor was necessary. -
Battle of Guam
This was one of Japan's early victories against the US. The Japanese planned to capture Guam in the early days of its Pacific campaign. The US government decided that Guam was an unimportant island and that US forces were to retreat and destroy everything when threatened. -
Battle of Hong Kong
This battle lasted until Christmas Day 1941 when Hong Kong surrendered. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
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Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Theatre. Like the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese wanted to eliminate Americas presence in the Pacific. The Japanese wanted the US aircrat carriers to fall into a trap, but American codebreakers managed to break the most recent code and found out about the attack. The Japanese lost four carriers and 248 airplanes. We lost one carrier and about 150 airplanes. -
Campaign of Guadalcanal
This was a campaign fought until Februrary 9 1943 between the Japanese and the Allies. There were three land battles and seven naval battles as well as daily fighter battles. In December, the Japanese decided to evacuate their troops. The allies victory was the start of a series of sucessful counteroffensives. -
Battle of Luzon
The Battle of Luzon took place on the largest island in the Philippines. The recapture of the Philippines was of great importance to the US because of the islands strategic location. The battle lasted until the surrender of Japan. The invasion used an amphibious assualt. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the fiercest battle of the Pacific Theatre. The battle raged until March 26. The Japanese had built up a huge network of fortifications on the island. The island was considered by many to be a waste of manpower, but the island was used as a point for refueling and repairs, including for the bombers that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
sources
Coleman, J.. "1945 tokyo firebombing left legacy of terror, pain." Associated Press. N.p., 2005. Web. 6 Mar 2012. http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0310-08.htm. "Hiroshima Remembered." Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2012. http://www.hiroshima-remembered.com/. . "The Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942." Battle of midway, 4-7 june 1942. Naval History & Heritage Command, n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2012. <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/midway/midway.htm -
Firebombing of Tokyo
The firebombing of Toyko was a part of the air raid campaign against Japan. About 16 square miles of Tokyo were destroyed on this day. It is estimated that 100,000 civilians died during this operation. The M-69 incendary bombs were especially effective against the wood and paper houses of Japan. This day was worse than any other firebombing during World War II -
First Sucessful Test of an Atomic Bomb
The first sucessful test of an atomic bomb took place in the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico. Codenamed "Trinity" the test is considered to be the start of the nuclear age. The test allowed scientists to study the spread of radiation and the effects. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the result of Japan's refusal to surrender after Germany. The Allies threatened Japan with utter destruction, and when Japan didn't surrender we dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Japan still refused to surrender, and we dropped a bomb on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on September 2. It is estimated that 246,000 died as a direct result of the bombs.
