The Pacific Wars
In the Beginning the Imperial Japanese forces seemed superior to the US Navy after Pearl Harbor. Through the Pacific War though the US proved that their will power and overall superiority was unquestionable as they won battle after battle.
The Battle Of Guam
July 21 1944- August 10 1944
The battle was fought on the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands.The Japanese captured Guam on December 11 1941. The Americans had to sieze it so that they can use it as a base of operations. Guam had two key points to capture, the airfield and harbor. One division landed in Agana to sieze the airbase. The other landed in Agat to sieze the harbor. The Japanese were running low on supplies. They had no hope for reinforcements or resupplies. By July 30 the Americans had seized the harbor and airfield. They defeated the Japanese in August. Many did not surrender, most of them were killed.
The battle was fought on the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands.The Japanese captured Guam on December 11 1941. The Americans had to sieze it so that they can use it as a base of operations. Guam had two key points to capture, the airfield and harbor. One division landed in Agana to sieze the airbase. The other landed in Agat to sieze the harbor. The Japanese were running low on supplies. They had no hope for reinforcements or resupplies. By July 30 the Americans had seized the harbor and airfield. They defeated the Japanese in August. Many did not surrender, most of them were killed.
The Battle Of Midway
June 4-7 1942
Admiral Nimitz sent patrol planes ahead to spot any Japanese. The reconnaissance team spotted Japanese carriers and their escorts headed for Midway. This battle was very important because the americans weakened the great Japanese Navy and pushed back the Japanese defense. The United States had, 3 carriers, 25 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, and 127 land-based aircraft. The Japanese had, 4 carriers, 2 battleships, 15 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, and 16 floatplanes. The battle of Midway casualties, the United States had 1 carrier sunk, 1 destroyer sunk, 150 aircraft destroyed, 307 killed.
The Japanese had 4 carriers sunk, 1 cruiser sunk, 248 carrier aircraft destroyed, 3,057 killed. This was a very key battle in the Pacific wars.
Admiral Nimitz sent patrol planes ahead to spot any Japanese. The reconnaissance team spotted Japanese carriers and their escorts headed for Midway. This battle was very important because the americans weakened the great Japanese Navy and pushed back the Japanese defense. The United States had, 3 carriers, 25 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, and 127 land-based aircraft. The Japanese had, 4 carriers, 2 battleships, 15 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, and 16 floatplanes. The battle of Midway casualties, the United States had 1 carrier sunk, 1 destroyer sunk, 150 aircraft destroyed, 307 killed.
The Japanese had 4 carriers sunk, 1 cruiser sunk, 248 carrier aircraft destroyed, 3,057 killed. This was a very key battle in the Pacific wars.
Battle Of Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, hundreds of fighter planes bombarded the American naval base at pearl harbor in Hawaii. This attack lasted for two hours. It was very devastating. The Japanese destroyed 20 naval vessel. It included eight battleships and about 200 airplanes. Approximately 2,000 sailors died and another 1,000 wounded. Three days later the United States declared war on Japan. Though it was a tough blow, the Japanese missed three key points. The Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers, submarines and, most importantly, its fuel oil storage facilities emerged unscathed. These assets formed the foundation for the American response that led to victory at the Battle of Midway the following June and ultimately to the total destruction of the Japanese Empire four years later. More than two years into the conflict the Americans join World War II.
The Battle Of The Coral Sea
May 7-8 1942
The battle of the coral sea was fought in the waters southwest of the Solomon Islands and eastward from New Guinea. This was the first battle of the Pacific War. This battle was engaged when the Japanese amphibious operation tried to capture port Moresby on the coast of New Guinea’s southern coast. If the Japanese established an airbase there it would threaten Australia and plans to expand more throughout the Pacific. It would also definitely strengthen the Japanese defense. The United States had 2 fleet carriers and 3 cruisers. The Japanese had 2 fleet carriers, 1 light carrier, and 4 cruisers.
The battle of the coral sea was fought in the waters southwest of the Solomon Islands and eastward from New Guinea. This was the first battle of the Pacific War. This battle was engaged when the Japanese amphibious operation tried to capture port Moresby on the coast of New Guinea’s southern coast. If the Japanese established an airbase there it would threaten Australia and plans to expand more throughout the Pacific. It would also definitely strengthen the Japanese defense. The United States had 2 fleet carriers and 3 cruisers. The Japanese had 2 fleet carriers, 1 light carrier, and 4 cruisers.
The Battle Of Iwo Jima
February 16- March 16 1945
Iwo Jima was strategically important for an airbase for fighter escorts supporting long range bombing mission against Japan. It also would provide an emergency landing strip for damaged B-29s. Also it would allow sea and air blockades, and they would be able to bombard enemy aircraft and naval ships. This seizure was not easy it took 36 days and over 20,000 casualties.
Iwo Jima was strategically important for an airbase for fighter escorts supporting long range bombing mission against Japan. It also would provide an emergency landing strip for damaged B-29s. Also it would allow sea and air blockades, and they would be able to bombard enemy aircraft and naval ships. This seizure was not easy it took 36 days and over 20,000 casualties.
The Battle Of Guadalcanal
August 1942- February 1943
The Guadalcanal campaign took six months to complete. If they had a Guadalcanal airbase it strategically gave important control of the sea lines of communication between the United States and Australia. The battle of Guadalcanal was composed of air, land, and sea engagements. The U.S. Marines were a very vital part to the capture. This victory helped the Americans gain air superiority. By the end of the battle on February 9, 1943, the Japanese had lost two-thirds of the 31,400 army troops committed to the island, whereas the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army had lost less than 2,000 soldiers of about 60,000 deployed. The ship losses on both sides were heavy. But by far the most significant loss for the Japanese was the decimation of their elite group of naval aviators.
The Guadalcanal campaign took six months to complete. If they had a Guadalcanal airbase it strategically gave important control of the sea lines of communication between the United States and Australia. The battle of Guadalcanal was composed of air, land, and sea engagements. The U.S. Marines were a very vital part to the capture. This victory helped the Americans gain air superiority. By the end of the battle on February 9, 1943, the Japanese had lost two-thirds of the 31,400 army troops committed to the island, whereas the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army had lost less than 2,000 soldiers of about 60,000 deployed. The ship losses on both sides were heavy. But by far the most significant loss for the Japanese was the decimation of their elite group of naval aviators.