DECEMBER 7, 1941 “A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY”

ALLIED STRATEGY n GET HITLER FIRST n FIGHT A DELAYING ACTION VERSUS THE JAPANESE IN THE PACIFIC. n CONCENTRATE ALL REMAINING EFFORTS AGAINST THE JAPANESE ONCE THE GERMANS WERE DEFEATED

Admiral Yamamoto Believed that America was a “sleeping giant”

THE 5 YEAR PLAN n STRIKE AT THE ENEMIES STRENGTH, PEARL HARBOR. n FAN OUT AND CAPTURE AS MUCH TERRITORY AS POSSIBLE. n “DIG IN” AND HOLD ON FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. n TRY TO EXTEND THE CONFLICT FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS.

Expand and “Dig in”

YAMAMOTO’S REASON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC CAN ONLY SUPPORT A WAR FOR NO MORE THAN 5 YEARS.

Anti-war sentiment

PLAY FOR A TIE n BY EXTENDING THE WAR AMERICANS WILL CLAMOR FOR THE WAR TO STOP. n TOO MUCH MONEY, TIME, AND EFFORT BEING SPENT. n CASUALTY TOTALS WILL CONTINUE TO MOUNT n U.S. WILL BE FORCED TO SUE FOR PEACE ON JAPAN’S TERMS.

Guadalcanal n The first chance the Allies would get to see the level of Japanese resistance was with the invasion of Guadalcanal. n After months of hard fighting and loss of life, Allied commanders began to re- think our “comeback strategy”

Guadalcanal

“Island Hopping” n US strategy was to “shorten” the war by only taking certain islands and “by- passing” others. n This caused thousands of Japanese soldiers to be “cut off” n The war was shortened but it didn’t mean it was going to be easier combat.

Two paths back to Japan

Yamamoto’s Death n April 18, 1943 – US planes ambush Yamamoto’s plane. n Japan loses its #1 strategist. n He would not live to see his strategy fail.

“I shall return” n Gen. MacArthur finally keeps his promise made in early 1942, when his forces land in the Philippines in n Heavy fighting both on land and in the waters surrounding the Philippines mark the end of Japan’s control of the Philippines.

The US Marines “island hop” across the Central Pacific n Several key battles lead to US victory but at an ever increasing toll in lives. n Japanese resistance increases as we moved closer to the home islands of Japan. n Iwo Jima, Tinian, Saipan, Guam. n US builds airfields on Tinian to launch B-29 bombing raids on Japan.

Iwo Jima

Kamikaze Attacks and Banzai Charges n Kamikaze attacks begin with the invasion of the Philippines. n They continue in intensity with each invasion. n Japanese suicide planes crash onto US warships (Divine Wind) n Japanese troops on land resort to Suicide “banzai charges” in an effort to defeat the US.

Kamikaze or “Divine Wind”

Okinawa n Okinawa (March-June 1945) was the last battle of WWII. n US forces encounter Japanese civilians in large numbers for the first time in the war. n Soldiers and civilians refuse to surrender and choose suicide instead.

Suicide Cliff, Okinawa

“Operation Olympic” n Plans for the invasion of Japan started during the battle of Okinawa. n Estimates of US casualties started at 500,000 just to land on the beach. n Fear of Japanese civilian and military resistance raised the enemy totals to the millions…(Kamikaze’s, banzai charges)

The Final Invasion????

What were the alternatives to invasion…? n Operation Starvation – continued blockade of Japan to force starvation on the population. n Fire bomb raids on Japanese cities – continue the onslaught on Japan with our air force. n Invade….. n Or drop the Atomic Bombs on them with out warning.

n Warn the Japanese of the ultimate weapon and show them a test detonation… n Which option would you make if you were President Truman?????

V-J Day September 2, 1945