1. 11th U.S. History Unit 12: America in WWII Note Packet 12-6
Coach Styles

2. Note Packet 12-6
With the surrender of Germany, the Allies could now concentrate their entire attack on the Japanese in the Pacific.
Allies in the Pacific adopted the policy of “island hopping” (def): Retaking the islands previously captured by the Japanese and building airbases from which to bomb the enemy on other islands.
The islands we skipped would be deprived of Japanese supplies and would “wither on the vine.”

3. By 1944, our B-29 bombers were in striking distance of Japan.
Note Packet 12-6
Known as “The Silent Service,” U.S. subs inflicted a great amount of damage to Japanese merchant and supply ships and troop carriers.
By 1944, our B-29 bombers were in striking distance of Japan.
B-29 “Super Fortress”: 98 feet long with 4 engines

4. This would become the largest naval engagement in history.
Note Packet 12-6
October 1944: General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines where 3 major battles took place on Leyte Gulf.
This would become the largest naval engagement in history.
During these battles, the Japanese lost 60 ships, ending their days as a sea power.
The Philippines were not completely taken back until 7/45.

5. Note Packet 12-6
In the Spring of 1945, the Allies conducted air raids over Tokyo, dropping napalm that created massive firestorms in the city, killing over 80,000 Japanese citizens.

6. Note Packet 12-6
For 5 weeks during February and March of 1945, the Allies fought the bloodiest battle in the history of the Marine Corps at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The island was only 5 miles long and 2 ½ miles wide.
The Allies need this volcanic island to launch air strikes against the Japanese mainland (and for damaged American bombers returning from Japan).

7. Note Packet 12-6
Marine commander at Iwo Jima: Lt. General Holland M. (“Howlin’ Mad”) Smith—graduate of Auburn University.
Japan had made the island a fortress with elaborate tunnel systems and well-placed concrete emplacements with machine guns and mortars.

8. Note Packet 12-6
In the course of the battle, over 6,000 U.S. soldiers were killed, as well as 22,000 Japanese.
In the aftermath of the battle, the famous photograph was taken of the U.S. Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
The photo inspired the monument of this event constructed in Washington, D.C.

9. April-June, 1945: Battle of Okinawa.
Note Packet 12-6
April-June, 1945: Battle of Okinawa.
Okinawa was a heavily defended 60-mile-long island about 350 miles from the Japanese mainland.
The Japanese sent kamikaze (suicide) bombers against U.S. battleships, sinking 36 of them.
Because of the nature of kamikaze attacks, this battle caused the highest percentage of neuro-psychiatric casualties.

10. Note Packet 12-6
At this time, President Truman met with his advisors who informed him that an Allied invasion of the Japanese mainland could take over 2 years to accomplish and cost over 2 million American lives.
President Truman also learned of the Manhattan Project (def): Secret American program to build the atomic bomb, led by J. Robert Oppenheimer.

11. The United States spent $2 billion on atomic study.
Note Packet 12-6
In 1940, German Jew Albert Einstein warned us that when he left Germany in the 1930s, German scientists were working to split the atom.
The United States spent $2 billion on atomic study.
(Bottom Left) Military head of Manhattan Project Gen. Leslie Groves and J. Robert Oppenheimer

12. Note Packet 12-6
Hundreds of scientists, most of them not fully aware of what they were working on, worked in Oak Ridge, TN to produce plutonium (the fuel for an atomic explosion) and in Los Alamos, NM building the bomb.

13. Note Packet 12-6
On July 16, 1945, in the desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico, the bomb was tested, creating the first atomic explosion in history.
Some scientists were excited, while others, like Oppenheimer, were troubled. Why?
The United States and Britain sent an ultimatum to Japan—surrender, or be destroyed.

14. Bomb dropped on Hiroshima: “Little Boy”
Note Packet 12-6
On August 6, 1945, a B-29 bomber named the Enola Gay, piloted by Paul Tibbets, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing 80,000 people instantly with over 15,000 more dying within 2 months.
Bomb dropped on Hiroshima: “Little Boy”

15. 350 died in the explosion; 484 drowned or were killed by sharks.
Note Packet 12-6
Written on the side of “Little Boy” were the words: “Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis.”
The U.S.S. Indianapolis had just delivered bomb parts to the Enola Gay when it was torpedoed by a Japanese sub.
She was our last major warship lost in WWII and the greatest loss at sea in U.S. Naval history.
350 died in the explosion; 484 drowned or were killed by sharks.
Unable to send out a distress call, it took 4 days to find the 318 remaining survivors.

16. Total death toll estimates: Over 200,000
Note Packet 12-6
The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima produced an instantaneous 7,000 degree heat pushed by winds of 980 m.p.h.
Birds were ignited in mid-air, buildings of concrete and steel were instantly melted.
A 4-square-mile area was obliterated and fires broke out across the city.
Total death toll estimates: Over 200,000

17. Bomb dropped on Nagasaki: “Fat Man”
Note Packet 12-6
On August 9, 1945, Major Charles Sweeny, piloting the plane “Bock’s Car,” dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
Bomb dropped on Nagasaki: “Fat Man”

18. This day is known as “V.J. Day”– “Victory over Japan.”
Note Packet 12-6
After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan was ready to surrender.
September 2, 1945: Japan agreed to the formal terms of surrender aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
This day is known as “V.J. Day”– “Victory over Japan.”