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The Fall of the Philippines
A few hours after bombing Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked American airfields in the Philippines. -
Island-Hopping in the Pacific
Although the Japanese resisted fiercely, the marines captured Kwajalein and nearly Einwetok with far fewer casualties. -
The Doolittle Raid on Tokyo
At the end of March, a crane loaded sixteen B-25s onto the aircraft carrier called Hornet. The next day the Hornet headed west across the Pacific and on April 18th, American bombs fell on Japan. -
Japan Changes Strategy
After Doolittle's raid, the Japanese war planners dropped their opposition to Yamamoto's idea. All of the other carriers were ordered to assault Midway. -
The Battle of the Coral Sea
In early May, carriers from both sides launched all-out airstrikes against each other. -
The Navajo Code Talkers
When American marines stormed an enemy beach, they used radios to communicate. Using radios meant the Japanese could intercept and translate messages being sent. -
Battle of Midway
The Americans were ready. The Japanese ran into a blizzard of antiaircraft fire, and 38 planes were shot down. -
MacArthur Returns
Shortly after securing New Guinea, MacArthur's troops siezed the island of Morotai which was the last stop before the Philippines -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The first time the Japnaese used kamikaze attacks. -
The Outcome
More than 80,000 Japanese were killed and fewer than 1,000 surrendered.
