Characteristics of the Pacific War Soldiers will be fighting in tough environmental conditions – Intense heat – Heavy rain – Mud & Sand

Battles involve large amphibious assaults on islands – Island Hopping Campaign

Japanese will initially embrace offensive maneuvers defense-in- depth will come later

The Japanese do not believe in surrender – Bushido Code

The Japanese will use brutal tactics to achieve goals and intimidate the enemy – Civilian Deaths – Mutilations/torture – Banzai attacks

Many Americans will reciprocate with equal brutality as the war drags on

Sealing the Deal Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater

– For 74 days in the fall of 1944, US bombers and warships launched more than 7,000 tons of bombs and 20,000 shells on the island

– By February, marines invaded the beaches, but every yard gained took time and men

– It took a month to root out the 25,000 Japanese defending the island, and barely 200 would be taken alive

– ¼ of American marines died on the island, and more Medals of Honor came from this battle than any other in the entire war

Battle for Okinawa One month after Iwo Jima, American and British troops invaded the island of Okinawa

2,000 kamikaze attacks against 1,300 warships

Kamikaze attacks would… – Kill 5,000 US sailors and wound another 4,800 – Sink 13 destroyers – Heavily damage 13 carriers, 10 battleships, 5 cruisers – Lightly damage 50 destroyers

100,000 Japanese defenders vs. 180,000 Allied troops…

After 3 months of fighting, only 7,200 Japanese soldiers were still alive and over 100,000 civilians had been killed…

…and now nothing stood in the way between the Allies and Japanese homeland

Manhattan Project Begun 1941 by FDR Creation of atomic weapons Involved facilities across the United States – Los Alamos, New Mexico – 120,000 people

Heavily top-secret – Secluded groups – Pseudonyms – Limited communication with outside world – Military security

Trinity Test (Alamogordo, NM) – July 1945 – 20,000 tons TNT – 1-mile radius destroyed – Public not notified – Sand into glass – Windows broken 100 miles away

Little Boy (uranium) – 9,700 lbs – 10 ft x 28 in. – 15,000 tons TNT Fat Man (plutonium) – 10,800 lbs – 10.8 ft x 60 in. – 21,000 tons TNT 3 rd plutonium

7 Ways to End the War 1. Install a naval blockade of Japan

– ADVANTAGES: Little loss of life Naval capability possible

– DISADVANTAGE: Involves a lot of ships, fuel, and 24/7 monitoring It may not achieve the desired result

2. Continue conventional bombing:

– ADVANTAGES: No loss of life Big hit to Japanese morale

DISADVANTAGES – Could last a long time -- Hurts morale of pilots – cost many resources

3. Soften the Rules of Surrender

– ADVANTAGES: Could avoid US occupation of the mainland Japan wants a surrender anyway (conditional)

DISADVANTAGES: – It will be hard making peace with fanatical military leaders – We already said we wouldn’t do conditional surrender – They don’t “deserve” it – Could increase will of Japanese government to undermine Americans

4. Wait for Soviet Union to invade Japan

ADVANTAGES: – Less loss of life for Americans – More losses for Soviet Union

DISADVANTAGES: – It would be conducted on Soviet terms – It will allow Stalin to have a say in negotiations

5. Test the new-found weapon (atomic bomb) on a nearby island

ADVANTAGES: – No loss of human life – It is a warning – It should intimidate Japan

DISADVANTAGES: – It could backfire – It may give Japan time to prepare – Few intact cities – Possible Japanese interception

6. Invade Mainland Japan

ADVANTAGES: – Will definitely stop Japanese aggression

DISADVANTAGES: – Japanese military still wants to fight – Estimated 63, ,000 US casualties expected – Japan still has 2 million soldiers and equipment

7. Drop the Atomic Bomb on the mainland of Japan

ADVANTAGES: – Quick end – Will save US lives

DISADVANTAGES: – Against moral grounds – Some military personnel are against its use