BELLWORK: September 25th Which Allied nations fought Japan in the Pacific? How did each contribute? List the biggest advantage and disadvantage Japan had in their control of the Pacific. Describe Japan’s general strategy & war plan. Describe the U.S. general strategy & war plan. THINKER: How did the Allies have a technological advantage over the Japanese in the Pacific War? BELLWORK: September 25th

Combatants and Strategies WWII in the Pacific Combatants and Strategies

Allied forces in the Pacific Britain  concentrated in South Asia: India, Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong Navy occupied Atlantic and Mediterranean = relied on dominions (especially India & Australia!) China  Unified CCP & GMD fight in land battles using combo of regular and guerrilla fighting tactics USSR  Joined Pacific War late, but aided China heavily US  Huge Pacific fleet, Army, Marine Corps The war in the Pacific heavily relied on U.S. air and sea strength in order to counter-act Japan’s defensive position

Japan’s Control of the Pacific Advantages Disadvantages High conscription = troops overly loyal/dedicated Produced twice as many aircraft as the U.S. in 1941 Japan could concentrate its forces in one area Only had to defend to succeed Put too many troops in China – could not withdrawal Production only increased marginally during the war while U.S. increased dramatically U.S. gains air/sea advantage by 1942

Japan’s Strategy & Plans Initially: Offensive Extend perimeter East & South  force British out! Next: Fortifications Reinforce bases in sphere & enclose all resources needed Finally: Defensive Dig in! War of Attrition = force U.S. into negotiation Already on defensive within 6 months; resources running low Japan’s Strategy & Plans

Japanese Offensive: 1941-1942 Japan attacks American and British military bases across the Western Pacific. Rapid conquests of Hong Kong, Burma, New Guinea, India Key objective was to seize economic resources under the control of US, UK & Netherlands Strong Japanese Navy sinks British aircraft carriers Navy used kamikazes, or suicide planes Once objectives were completed, the strategy would turn defensive until negotiated peace

Japanese battleships Yamashiro, Fuso and Haruna

Bombing of Darwin, Australia; 1942

Prince of Wales (left, front) and Repulse (left, behind) under Japanese air attack on 10 December 1941

Australian POW’s; Total captured – 22,000

U.S. Strategy & Plans U.S. had to take offensive initiative Goal: rely on air/naval strength in order to capture smaller islands around Japanese defensive positions  bring in air power and strategically bomb ISLAND HOPPING! U.S. divided into two theaters….why? Nimitz vs. MacArthur U.S. Strategy & Plans

Admiral Nimitz: Believed Navy should lead strategy  cut across Pacific directly to home island General MacArthur: Believed Army should lead strategy  take southern route to recapture territories

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS! Key to strategy because: Vast distance across Pacific Battleships only effective in close quarters Needed to transport aircraft in order to carry out strategic bombing U.S. codebreakers also discovered several planned attacks Air tech: Lockheed Lightning How did the Allies have a technological advantage over the Japanese in the Pacific War?

Read pages 212-219 and complete the operations worksheet (NOT M.P.!) HOMEWORK: Wed. Read pages 212-219 and complete the operations worksheet (NOT M.P.!)