Sea Power and Maritime Affairs Lesson 15: The War in the Pacific, The Offensive Phase

TURN ON THE LIGHTS ON...OUR PILOTS WILL LIVE! “ First one plane and then another dropped into the sea from lack of fuel. At last the planes approached the carriers. But in the darkness, the pilots could not make out which ships were carriers and which were not. Unless something was done many good men were going to be killed trying to land in the darkness. Slowly Admiral Mitscher got up from his seat and gave the order, "Turn on the lights." These four words were as deadly in meaning as Admiral Farragut's 1863 ‘Damn the torpedoes (mines), Full Speed Ahead!’ ” "Land on any carrier."

“TURN ON THE LIGHTS ON”

Learning Objectives comprehend the political and economic forces which led Japan to strike at Pearl Harbor and the colonial possessions of the U.S., Britain, and the Netherlands and the relationship of these forces to Japan's ultimate defeat. comprehend the Japanese strategy for an early victory and their concept of the postwar Pacific power balance.

Learning Objectives comprehend the impact of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Battles of Coral Sea and Midway on the transformation of the aircraft carrier's role in naval warfare. know (list) the significant highlights of the evolution of U.S. operational strategy in the Pacific, including turning point battles or campaigns and instances where strategy was flawed or ambiguous.

Learning Objectives know (identify) the strategic significance of the employment and refinement of amphibious landing tactics by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. comprehend the reasons the geopolitical world order was changed as a result of Japan's actions in striking at the Western Powers in 1941.

U.S. Aircraft Production Japan and Germany had early advantage in air war: – Messerschmit ME-109 – Mitsubishi A6M Zero U.S. aircraft industry produces higher performance aircraft – American industrial base allows rapid and mass production New flight training programs developed U.S. gains advantage in air warfare Air supremacy eventually established in both European and Pacific theaters

A6M “Zero” or “Zeke” Fighter

F2A “Buffalo” Fighter

F4F “Wildcat” Fighter

Wildcats on the Prowl

F6F “Hellcat” Fighter

F4U Corsair Fighter

SBD “Dauntless” Dive Bomber

SB2C “Helldiver” Dive Bomber

TBF “Avenger” Torpedo Bomber

PBY “Catalina” Scout

U.S. Submarine Force

U.S. Submarine Warfare Simultaneously with Dual advance, US conducts war on commerce Unrestricted Submarine Warfare ordered immediately after Pearl Harbor -- new role for U.S. submarines Early operational problems : – Undependable torpedoes - poorly designed magnetic fusing. – Many commanders were excessively cautious.

Subs in Battle Bataan and Corregidor, Philippines – Supplied by submarines from the Asiatic Fleet – Evacuation of personnel Battle of Midway – Guarded approaches to the island Guadalcanal Campaign – Begin to be more effective at fleet operations

U.S. Submarine Warfare Late 1943: – Torpedo fusing problems corrected – Radar installed and sonar improved Central Pacific Advance – Initially uncontested by Japanese Navy Battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf – U.S. submarines support fleet and amphibious operations – Japanese battleship and carriers sunk

U.S. Submarine Warfare Search and rescue of downed naval aviators Commerce raiding of Japanese shipping from East Indies – By /4 of the Japanese merchant fleet sunk High casualty rates among submarine crews: – Rotation policy: 20% of crew transferred after each patrol.

Japanese Submarine Warfare Long Lance torpedo - smaller variant for submarines Focused attacks on U.S. warships and avoided supply ships – Used to screen and scout for battle fleets – “Warrior ethos” of Japanese naval leaders Used for supply of bypassed garrisons

Japanese Submarine Warfare Battle of Midway – Failed to intercept U.S. carrier forces – Torpedoed USS Yorktown under tow Guadalcanal Campaign – USS Saratoga torpedoed January 1942 – USS Wasp sunk USS Indianapolis sunk -- July shark attacks

Prelude to Guadalcanal Japanese leadership shocked by defeat at Midway Cancel plans to take Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia Must proceed with plan to take Port Moresby Within bomber range of major naval operating base at Rabaul Japanese begin building airfield at Guadalcanal

Prelude to Guadalcanal Nimitz moves to reinforce South Pacific Area – Protect vital sea lines of communication with Australia. – Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley Commander South Pacific Ocean Area (Subordinate to Nimitz). – Two bases established in New Hebrides.

Army - Navy Dispute MacArthur proposes retaking Rabaul – Wants Navy to let him borrow First Marine Division Admiral King – Objects to Macarthur's plan – Proposes step-by-step advance through Solomons to re-take Rabaul. – Nimitz and Ghormley in command with Marines making amphibious assaults and Navy providing support. Army forces used as garrisons for islands

Operation Watchtower Compromise Three-Stage Plan of Operations Initial advance in Eastern Solomons under Nimitz Boundary between Areas moved west MacArthur takes command after Tulagi secured

Gudalcanal Campaign Aug 1942-Feb 1943

Whoever controlled an airfield would control air over the Solomons Vital SLOC For both sides it symbolized offensive rather than defensive warfare Guadalcanal

Force Commanders Admiral Robert L. Ghormley overall command of Watchtower Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner - Amphibious Forces Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher carrier group – Provided support against Japanese fleet during day

General Archer Vandegrift Commander - First Marine Division Amphibious landing virtually unopposed – Marines take Henderson Field - “Cactus Air Force”.

Guadalcanal River Crossing

“See-Saw” Pattern Japan dominates nighttime action. – “Tokyo Express” down “The Slot” into “Ironbottom Sound” U.S. dominates daytime with shore and carrier aircraft

Actions Battle of Savo Island, 8-9 August 1942 Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 24 August 1942 Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October, 1942 “Naval Battle of Gudalcanal”, November, 1942

Guadalcanal Campaign Battle of Savo Island - Allies defeated in night surface action Battle of the Eastern Solomons - carrier battle – USS Enterprise damaged by bombers – USS Wasp sunk and Saratoga damaged by Japanese submarines

Battle of Santa Cruz Islands Halsey relieves Ghormley - 18 October 1942 Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid Hornet sunk and Enterprise damaged – No operational carriers left Zuiho and Shokaku badly damaged Tactical defeat by strategic victory?…maybe

Naval Battle Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee – uses RADAR to his advantage to win nighttime naval battle Washington and South Dakota outfight Japanese battleships – Warships flee – Transports beach themselves

Guadalcanal Campaign 1st Marine Division relieved by Army’s 25th Infantry Division Japanese forces evacuate Guadalcanal U.S. forces begin advance up Solomon Islands – Land-based airfields established Marine Corps’ “Black Sheep” Squadron (VMF-214) –Commanded by Maj Greg “Pappy” Boyington Medal of Honor Recipient MacArthur drives Japanese from eastern Papua – Captures main Japanese base at Buna

Aftermath Both sides suffered heavy losses – U.S loses more tonnage at sea, carriers – Japan loses more lives Japan allowed to dominate sea at night while U.S. dominates day Battle drags on from Aug 42- Feb 43

Aftermath MacArthur successful in driving Japanese from Papuan Peninsula – By Feb 43 Jap plans for offensives in S. and W Pacific stopped cold King uses Casablanca Conference to allocate more resources to Pacific

Reconquest of Attu and Kiska Aleutian Islands (January - May 1943) No real threat to security. Necessary to end Japanese control of American territory for political reasons. Battle of the Komondorskis – Last classic surface ship battle. – Americans attack heavily guarded Japanese convoy. Minimal resistance on Attu, none on Kiska.

Operation Cartwheel The Solomons Campaign Halsey goes to work for McArthur – Leads Amphibious Assault from Guadalcanal along Solomons McArthur wants direct assault on Rabaul – King and Marshall overrule him – Capture every island BUT Rabaul to isolate it Rabaul becomes isolated and insignificant – On to the Phillipines (October 1944)

The Defeat of Japan Objective: The Philippines and the penetration of the Japanese inner defense zone!

The Advance Pacific “Thrust” – Amphib support Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance Significant campaigns: – Gilberts – Marshalls – Marianas

Essex Class Fast Carrier

The Gilberts (Tarawa) New fleet organization due to new Essex Class carrier fleet production Objective to gain airfield on Betio Island to launch further attacks in Central Pacific Drive 3 days cost US > 3,000 marines

Marines at Tarawa

Tarawa Kwajalein Atoll

The Marshalls After the Gilberts, concern for death toll in Marshalls Nimitz orders RADM MITSCHER attack on Airpower – Destroys Jap Force Kwajalein success furthers to the rest of the islands Total Marshall loss less than first day of Tarawa Onto Marianas

The Marianas Draws out Japanese Fleet Battle of Philippine Sea, June 1944 “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” – 346 Jap planes downed – 3 Jap carriers sunk – Classic Mahanian engagement

Liberation of the Philippines U.S. advance continues after Marianas Campaign – Macarthur's forces capture New Guinea Air strikes in the Phillipines wipe out two hundred aircraft Bypass smaller islands and head to Leyte Gulf early – from 20 December to 20 October

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Battle of Leyte Gulf October 1944 Largest battle in all of naval history U.S. command structure remains divided and confused U.S. landings in Leyte Gulf – MacArthur “returns”

“I shall return”

Battle of Leyte Gulf “In case opportunity for destruction of the major portion of the enemy fleet is offered or can be created, such destruction becomes the primary task.” -- Standing Order of Fleet Admiral Nimitz “Where is, repeat where is, Task Force 34? The world wonders.” -- Nimitz’ (message to Halsey during the battle.)

Admiral Marc Mitscher Commander Fast Carrier Task Force Battle of Leyte Gulf

Japanese Combined Fleet divided into three forces: – Northern – Central – Southern Japanese defeated in a series of separate engagements. – Effective end of Japanese Navy’s ability to control the sea.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Japanese Kamikaze Squadrons Explosives loaded aboard aircraft. Japanese pilots fly one-way suicide attack missions against U.S. fleet. First used at Leyte Gulf.

USS Lexington (CV 16) Essex Class Fast Carrier Mitscher’s Flagship -- Battle of Leyte Gulf

Admiral Thomas Kinkaid Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Sands of Iwo Jima Mount Suribachi

The Road to Japan Iwo Jima Okinawa

Iwo Jima Emergency landing field and fighter escort base desired. – Midway between Marianas and Tokyo – Support B-29 “Superfortress” strategic bombing of Japan 26,000 casualties – 2,400 Emergency landings - 27,000 aircrew General Holland Smith – “Iwo Jima was the most savage and most costly battle in the history of the Marine Corps.” Admiral Nimitz – “Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Iwo Jima

Okinawa Campaign April-June 1945 Staging base for invasion of Kyushu Joint amphibious operation – Marines under Army command Japanese use delaying tactics at the beach – Continued heavy resistance inland

Okinawa Campaign Kamikaze raids continue – 34 U.S. ships sunk – 4,900 Sailors killed in action Over 40,000 U.S. casualties Carrier groups begin raids on Japanese home islands. – U.S. has established complete control of the seas.

USS Benjamin Franklin -- Damaged in Kamikaze raid during invasion of Okinawa - March 1945.

Japanese Battleship Yamato Sunk by U.S. carrier-based aircraft during Okinawa Campaign on 7 April 1945

U.S. Carrier Raids on the Japanese Home Islands July 1945

Manhattan Project = Atomic Bombs President Truman orders two bombings. – Hiroshima - 6 August 1945 – Nagasaki - 9 August 1945 Believed potential for casualties during a prolonged struggle for the Japanese home islands is too high.

Hiroshima

Japan Surrenders Japanese officially surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on 2 September MacArthur commands U.S. army of occupation.

Learning Objectives comprehend the political and economic forces which led Japan to strike at Pearl Harbor and the colonial possessions of the U.S., Britain, and the Netherlands and the relationship of these forces to Japan's ultimate defeat. comprehend the Japanese strategy for an early victory and their concept of the postwar Pacific power balance.

Learning Objectives comprehend the impact of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Battles of Coral Sea and Midway on the transformation of the aircraft carrier's role in naval warfare. know (list) the significant highlights of the evolution of U.S. operational strategy in the Pacific, including turning point battles or campaigns and instances where strategy was flawed or ambiguous.

Learning Objectives know (identify) the strategic significance of the employment and refinement of amphibious landing tactics by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. comprehend the reasons the geopolitical world order was changed as a result of Japan's actions in striking at the Western Powers in 1941.

Addition to Snowflake’s Recommended Viewing List: “The Sands of Iwo Jima” (1949) “Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” - SGT Strkyer (John Wayne)

Discussion: Next time: the Navy and the Early Cold War