WOLRD WAR II THE PACIFIC THEATER

The Empire of Japan 1942

US & Britain lose ground in Asia Britain and the United States suffer great setbacks in regions in the Pacific and in East Asia. Britain and the United States suffer great setbacks in regions in the Pacific and in East Asia. British troops pushed back to India by Japan. British troops pushed back to India by Japan. Chinese decimated by the Japanese military. Chinese decimated by the Japanese military. The Philippine Islands lost to Japan. The Philippine Islands lost to Japan.

East Asia in Ruins The Japanese Imperial Army leads an all out attack on East and Southeast Asia following their actions at Pearl Harbor. China’s eastern territory quickly falls into their hands and the American military had to make a quick retreat out of the Philippines. The US servicemen (on the right) were captured and were now POWS (prisoners of war). Many of these men would not survive in the Internment Camps.

Japanese Internment (Removal) Japan's alliance with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in 1940 focused world attention on the Asian nation's military power and imperial ambition. Japan's alliance with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in 1940 focused world attention on the Asian nation's military power and imperial ambition. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 plunged the United States into war and planted the notion of Japanese treachery in the minds of Americans. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 plunged the United States into war and planted the notion of Japanese treachery in the minds of Americans.

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing military authorities to exclude "any and all persons" from designated areas of the country as necessary for national defense.On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing military authorities to exclude "any and all persons" from designated areas of the country as necessary for national defense.

Internment (Camp) By the end of 1942, more than 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry had been uprooted from their homes. By the end of 1942, more than 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry had been uprooted from their homes. final destinations would be one of 10 camps — "instant cities" — constructed by the War Relocation Authority in seven states. final destinations would be one of 10 camps — "instant cities" — constructed by the War Relocation Authority in seven states. Deeply isolated from the rest of America, these "evacuees" — 65 percent of whom were American citizens — would spend up to four years imprisoned Deeply isolated from the rest of America, these "evacuees" — 65 percent of whom were American citizens — would spend up to four years imprisoned

America Mobilizes The American high command focused mainly on the European theater of war before committing their full efforts to the Pacific theater. One would have to ask as to what they main strategy of the Americans would be in trying to bring the war to Japan?

WHAT IS THE STRATEGY? The American military is looking for a way to get their forces in Allied controlled Australia/New Zealand to Japan. The American military is looking for a way to get their forces in Allied controlled Australia/New Zealand to Japan. What is the best strategy to get the troops from this present position to being able to lead successful campaigns on Japanese soil? What is the best strategy to get the troops from this present position to being able to lead successful campaigns on Japanese soil?

Best Course of Movement?

The Importance of the Pacific Islands The Pacific islands would play a vital role in the US/Allied strategy in defeating the Japanese. The Pacific islands would play a vital role in the US/Allied strategy in defeating the Japanese. Under General Douglas MacArthur, the Allied Supreme Commander of the Pacific Theater of War, the Allies called the strategy “island hopping.” Under General Douglas MacArthur, the Allied Supreme Commander of the Pacific Theater of War, the Allies called the strategy “island hopping.” Island hopping was a term used in the war to describe the Allied plan to bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions and instead concentrate on strategically important islands that were not well defended but capable of supporting the drive to the main islands of Japan. Island hopping was a term used in the war to describe the Allied plan to bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions and instead concentrate on strategically important islands that were not well defended but capable of supporting the drive to the main islands of Japan.

On to Japan! This strategy was possible in part because the Allies used submarine and air attacks to blockade and isolate Japanese bases, weakening their garrisons and reducing the Japanese ability to re-supply and reinforce. This strategy was possible in part because the Allies used submarine and air attacks to blockade and isolate Japanese bases, weakening their garrisons and reducing the Japanese ability to re-supply and reinforce. The Allied Forces began their drive from New Guinea and eventually grabbed enough territory for the needed airfields and refueling stations to lead successful attacks on the Japanese mainland and ending the war. The Allied Forces began their drive from New Guinea and eventually grabbed enough territory for the needed airfields and refueling stations to lead successful attacks on the Japanese mainland and ending the war. Key battles for regaining control over the Pacific took place at Midway, Guadalcanal, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Key battles for regaining control over the Pacific took place at Midway, Guadalcanal, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

B-29 Bomber Range B-29 bombing ranges

US Pushes Japan Back

Iwo Jima and Okinawa (Feb-Jun 1945) Retakes Guam, Philippines, Invades Iwo Jima Famous USMC flag raising picture Invades Okinawa Massive casualties in each of the last two battles. Japanese fighting to the last man

B-29 Bomber Range B-29 bombing ranges US is now in range to bomb Japan effectively

Firebombing Japan 100,000 killed in one night

Japanese suicidal -Japanese pilots trained to make a suicidal crash attack upon a ship. explosives -Their airplanes were often loaded with explosives Note the plane about to crash into this ship “The Divine Wind”

Invade Japan??? Decision needs to be made – Do we invade Japan. Decision needs to be made – Do we invade Japan. –Estimated it would cost the US 1 MILLION casualties. –Japan not likely to ever surrender –Possibility that it would only end when every Japanese person was dead

Last Resort The Manhattan Project was a secret operation to create a Hydrogen bomb that could possible end the war and save countless more American lives. The Manhattan Project was a secret operation to create a Hydrogen bomb that could possible end the war and save countless more American lives. This planned was signed into action by President Harry Truman. This planned was signed into action by President Harry Truman. The targets: Nagasaki and Hiroshima The targets: Nagasaki and Hiroshima

The Atomic Bomb Most powerful weapon ever created up to that time. Equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT exploding all at once

Atomic Bombings and the Surrender of Japan Aug 6, 1945: Hiroshima Aug 6, 1945: Hiroshima Aug 9, 1945: Nagasaki Aug 9, 1945: Nagasaki

The Decision to Bomb Hiroshima— bombed August 6, 1945 Hiroshima— bombed August 6, 1945 –Dropped by a B29 called the “Enola Gay” –65,000 dead –Japanese still refuse to surrender

The Enola Gay

Hiroshima Before the Bomb

Hiroshima After the Bomb

Melted glass

Permanent “Shadows” made by the light of the blast

All this man left was his shadow

The Second Bomb Nagasaki—bombed Aug. 9, 1945 Nagasaki—bombed Aug. 9, 1945 –50,000 dead Japan announces surrender (August 15 th ) Japan announces surrender (August 15 th ) –According to terms of formal surrender, they get to keep their emperor

Japanese Surrender

Military of Japan Punished

Casualties of the War Japan Japan - 2,000,000 Killed - 95,000 Wounded United States United States - 750,000 Killed - 700,000 Wounded China China - Military Deaths: 3,800,000 - Civilian Deaths: 16,200,000