Battles (European and Pacific Options)

Europe vs. Pacific1. The sides (not Russia)2. Geography (island and land) causing naval

needs3. Climate (Eastern Front Cold)4. Naval strength

US

1200 ships by the end of the war. Production was key.

6000 at the peakUS

2372

71

377232

Battle of Coral Sea May 1942

Japanese sought to extend their control by taking all of New Guinea and occupying the Solomon Islands. This would eliminate the last Allied base between Japan and Australia. Remember, Britain has historically controlled Australia as part of Britain’s empire.

US

Do you devote resources to the area to protect and

help the British?

Japan

What value does this have?

Japanese sought to extend their control by taking all of New Guinea and occupying the Solomon Islands. This would eliminate the last Allied base between Japan and Australia. Remember, Britain has historically controlled Australia as part of Britain’s empire.

Name: Battle of Coral Sea May 1942Situation: Japan attempts to capture the port

and establish an air base also severing Australia from the Allies

Outcome: US victorySignificance: Japanese advance haltedCasualties: 656 US 966 Japan

As Japan, how would you attack the US? OR would you wait?

If you are the US what would you

anticipate?

Name: Midway Battle June 1942Situation: Japan with naval superiority wants to

ambush the US by predicting the significance of Midway. If the US wants Midway (Japanese assumption) then Japan will ambush attack here before we do. It will be a surprise

Outcome: US breaks Japanese code and redeploys its navy thus ambushing Japan while en route

Significance: Japan’s navy reduced and aircraft carriers saved

Casualties: 307 US 2057 Japan

Guadalcanal Campaign Aug 1942

Japanese forces move into the

Solomon Islands. What do you do?

Name: Guadalcanal Aug 1942Situation: Ground war begins as this is an attempt

to control supply lines (again Australia)Outcome: Allied victory and Japan on the runSignificance: Australia protected and Japanese

airbase capturedCasualties: 7100 US 31,000 Japanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZGQxGygA0U

Iwo Jima Feb 1945

What is crucial to engaging Japan in a ground war, naval battle or bombing?

Where would you go?

Name: Iwo Jima Situation: US needs proximity to Japan to invade,

bomb or nukeOutcome: US winsSignificance: 575 from JapanCasualties: 19, 217 US 18, 844 Japanhttp://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima

What is crucial to engaging Japan in a ground war, naval battle or bombing?

Where would you go?

Name: Okinawa Battle March 1945Situation: Proximity US on offensiveOutcome: US wins but kamikaze tactics and

civiliansSignificance: US strategy revisedCasualties: 12, 000 US 110,000 Japan 40,000

civilians

How do you attack Japan?

Position your navy air force and troops

Operation Downfall