Battle of Midway, 3-6 June 1942Battle of Midway, 3-6 June 1942“The Turning Point of the War “The Turning Point of the War

in the Pacific”in the Pacific”

The Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway• Yamamoto’s objective:Yamamoto’s objective:

– Lure out and destroy U.S. carrier forcesLure out and destroy U.S. carrier forces

• Yamamoto divides his forcesYamamoto divides his forces– Two carriers and invasion force attack the AleutiansTwo carriers and invasion force attack the Aleutians– Overly confident, but Japanese still have superiorityOverly confident, but Japanese still have superiority

• U.S. disadvantages and advantages:U.S. disadvantages and advantages:– Heavily outnumberedHeavily outnumbered– Inferior aircraft susceptible to attacks by Japanese “Zeros”Inferior aircraft susceptible to attacks by Japanese “Zeros”– Airfield on Midway Island - unsinkable carrierAirfield on Midway Island - unsinkable carrier– Interception and decoding of Japanese communicationsInterception and decoding of Japanese communications

• Virtually complete information regarding Yamamoto's fleet, tactical Virtually complete information regarding Yamamoto's fleet, tactical disposition, and routes of approachdisposition, and routes of approach

Nimitz’s disposition of American forces: Nimitz’s disposition of American forces: • Only Only 3 CVs3 CVs, eight CAs/CLs, 14 DDs, eight CAs/CLs, 14 DDs• Deployed carriers Deployed carriers EnterpriseEnterprise, , HornetHornet & &

YorktownYorktown under Fletcher before Japanese under Fletcher before Japanese submarines arrived on stationsubmarines arrived on station

• Reinforced aircraft on Midway to act as an Reinforced aircraft on Midway to act as an unsinkable carrierunsinkable carrier

• Established air patrols on approaches to Established air patrols on approaches to MidwayMidway

• Intelligence- U.S. broke Japanese codeIntelligence- U.S. broke Japanese code

The Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway

Battle of Midway: Losses

American

• 307 lives

• 1 carrier

• 1 destroyer

• 147 planes

Japanese • 3500 lives (including

many irreplaceable first line pilots)

• 4 carriers• 1 heavy cruiser• 322 aircraft

Battle of Midway: SignificanceBattle of Midway: Significance

• Turning pointTurning point of the Pacific War of the Pacific War • Tactical and strategic victory for the American Tactical and strategic victory for the American

fleet despite technological superiority of fleet despite technological superiority of Japanese aircraft. Japanese aircraft.

• IntelligenceIntelligence had turned the tide in the Pacific had turned the tide in the Pacific• End of Japanese offensive advance.End of Japanese offensive advance.• Allied offensive advance about to beginAllied offensive advance about to begin

Post MidwayPost Midway• Japanese leadership Japanese leadership

shocked by defeat at Midwayshocked by defeat at Midway– Cancel plans to take Fiji, Cancel plans to take Fiji,

Samoa, and New CaledoniaSamoa, and New Caledonia– Must proceed with plan to take Must proceed with plan to take

Port MoresbyPort Moresby• Within bomber range of Within bomber range of

major naval operating base major naval operating base at Rabaulat Rabaul

– Japanese begin building Japanese begin building airfield at Guadalcanalairfield at Guadalcanal

• Nimitz moves to reinforce Nimitz moves to reinforce South Pacific AreaSouth Pacific Area– Protect vital sea lines of Protect vital sea lines of

communication with Australiacommunication with Australia

U.S. Air and Sub WarfareU.S. Air and Sub Warfare• Air WarfareAir Warfare

– Japan and Germany had early advantage in air warJapan and Germany had early advantage in air war

– U.S. aircraft eventually produces better aircraft and the U.S. aircraft eventually produces better aircraft and the industrial base allows rapid and mass production.industrial base allows rapid and mass production.

– Air supremacy eventually established in both European Air supremacy eventually established in both European and Pacific theatersand Pacific theaters

• Submarine WarfareSubmarine Warfare– Unrestricted Submarine Warfare ordered immediately Unrestricted Submarine Warfare ordered immediately

after Pearl Harbor -- new role for U.S. submarines.after Pearl Harbor -- new role for U.S. submarines.– Early problems (1942-43):Undependable torpedoes - Early problems (1942-43):Undependable torpedoes -

poorly designed magnetic fusing.poorly designed magnetic fusing.– By 1945 – 75% of the Japanese merchant fleet sunkBy 1945 – 75% of the Japanese merchant fleet sunk– USS USS Indianapolis Indianapolis sunksunk -- July 1945 - shark attacks.-- July 1945 - shark attacks.

The Plan to Defeat JapanThe Plan to Defeat Japan

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

Dual AdvanceDual Advance• Mission: Drive through islands of central Pacific, Mission: Drive through islands of central Pacific,

capturing them as forward bases. Also, cut capturing them as forward bases. Also, cut Japan’s SLOCs to mainland & SW Pacific. Japan’s SLOCs to mainland & SW Pacific.

1.1. Central Pacific: Admiral Nimitz would be the main Central Pacific: Admiral Nimitz would be the main line of advance.line of advance.

2.2. South Pacific: MacArthur/Halsey and the Third South Pacific: MacArthur/Halsey and the Third Fleet would island hop up from the South Pacific Fleet would island hop up from the South Pacific and close in on the Philippines.and close in on the Philippines.

• Able to bypass some strongholds and attack at will.Able to bypass some strongholds and attack at will.• Major campaigns in the Gilberts, the Marshalls, and Major campaigns in the Gilberts, the Marshalls, and

the Marianasthe Marianas

Where do you start the offensive?Where do you start the offensive?

• MacArthur sees Midway as a chance to begin the MacArthur sees Midway as a chance to begin the process of retaking the Philippines.process of retaking the Philippines.– He proposes a direct assault on Rabaul in the Solomon He proposes a direct assault on Rabaul in the Solomon

IslandsIslands

• Admiral King objects to MacArthur’s plansAdmiral King objects to MacArthur’s plans– Proposes step-by-step naval advance through SolomonsProposes step-by-step naval advance through Solomons

– Capture every island BUT Rabaul to isolate itCapture every island BUT Rabaul to isolate it

• Compromise:Compromise:– Initial advance in Eastern Solomons under NimitzInitial advance in Eastern Solomons under Nimitz– Command boundary between areas moved westCommand boundary between areas moved west– MacArthur takes command after Tulagi securedMacArthur takes command after Tulagi secured

Pacific TheaterPacific Theater

Army Center for Military HistoryArmy Center for Military History

• Whoever controlled an airfield Whoever controlled an airfield would control air over the would control air over the SolomonsSolomons

• Guadalcanal = Vital SLOCGuadalcanal = Vital SLOC• For both sides it symbolized For both sides it symbolized

offensive warfare mindset.offensive warfare mindset.• Japan dominates nighttime action.Japan dominates nighttime action.

– ““Tokyo Express” down “The Slot” Tokyo Express” down “The Slot” into “Iron Bottom Sound”into “Iron Bottom Sound”

• U.S. dominates daytime with U.S. dominates daytime with shore and carrier aircraftshore and carrier aircraft

Guadalcanal – Nov 1942Guadalcanal – Nov 1942

Guadalcanal CampaignGuadalcanal Campaign• Battle of Savo Island - Allies defeated in night Battle of Savo Island - Allies defeated in night

surface actionsurface action• Battle of the Eastern Solomons - carrier Battle of the Eastern Solomons - carrier

battlebattle– USS USS EnterpriseEnterprise damaged by bombers damaged by bombers– USS USS WaspWasp sunk and sunk and SaratogaSaratoga damaged by damaged by

Japanese submarinesJapanese submarines

• Rabaul eventually becomes isolated and Rabaul eventually becomes isolated and

insignificantinsignificant

– On to the Philippines (October 1944)On to the Philippines (October 1944)

Aftermath of GuadalcanalAftermath of Guadalcanal

• Both sides suffered heavy lossesBoth sides suffered heavy losses– U.S loses more tonnage at sea, carriersU.S loses more tonnage at sea, carriers– Japan loses more livesJapan loses more lives

• Japan allowed to dominate sea at night while U.S. Japan allowed to dominate sea at night while U.S. dominates day dominates day

• Battle drags on from Aug 42- Feb 43Battle drags on from Aug 42- Feb 43• MacArthur successful in driving Japanese from Papuan MacArthur successful in driving Japanese from Papuan

PeninsulaPeninsula– By Feb 43 Jap plans for offensives in S. and W Pacific stopped By Feb 43 Jap plans for offensives in S. and W Pacific stopped

coldcold

• King uses Casablanca Conference to allocate more King uses Casablanca Conference to allocate more resources to Pacificresources to Pacific

The Gilberts (Tarawa) – 20 Nov The Gilberts (Tarawa) – 20 Nov 19431943

• 11stst major island on the sea major island on the sea road to the Philippinesroad to the Philippines

• Objective to gain airfield Objective to gain airfield on Betio Island to launch on Betio Island to launch further attacks in Central further attacks in Central Pacific DrivePacific Drive

• 4,500 heavily entrenched 4,500 heavily entrenched Japanese.Japanese.

• 3 days cost US > 3,000 3 days cost US > 3,000 marinesmarines

The MarshallsThe Marshalls

• After the Gilberts, concern for death toll in After the Gilberts, concern for death toll in MarshallsMarshalls

• Nimitz orders RADM Mitscher attack to destroy Nimitz orders RADM Mitscher attack to destroy Japanese ForceJapanese Force

• Total Marshall loss less than first day of TarawaTotal Marshall loss less than first day of Tarawa• Battle of Philippine Sea, 19-20 June 1944 “The Battle of Philippine Sea, 19-20 June 1944 “The

Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”– 346 Japanese planes downed346 Japanese planes downed– 3 Japanese carriers sunk3 Japanese carriers sunk– Classic Mahanian engagementClassic Mahanian engagement

TarawaTarawa

Kwajalein AtollKwajalein Atoll

Battle of Leyte Battle of Leyte GulfGulf

• 24-25 Oct 194424-25 Oct 1944• Largest battle in all of Largest battle in all of

naval historynaval history• Japanese defeated in a Japanese defeated in a

series of separate series of separate engagements.engagements.

• Effective end of Effective end of Japanese Navy’s ability Japanese Navy’s ability to control the sea.to control the sea.

• Kamikaze attacksKamikaze attacks• U.S. landings in Leyte U.S. landings in Leyte

GulfGulf– MacArthur “returns”MacArthur “returns”

Pacific TheaterPacific Theater

Army Center for Military HistoryArmy Center for Military History

Liberation of the PhilippinesLiberation of the Philippines

• U.S. advance continues after Marianas U.S. advance continues after Marianas CampaignCampaign– Macarthur's forces capture New GuineaMacarthur's forces capture New Guinea

• Air strikes in the Philippines wipe out two Air strikes in the Philippines wipe out two hundred aircrafthundred aircraft

• Bypass smaller islands and head to Leyte Bypass smaller islands and head to Leyte Gulf earlyGulf early– from 20 December to 20 Octoberfrom 20 December to 20 October

Iwo JimaIwo Jima• Emergency landing field and fighter escort base.Emergency landing field and fighter escort base.

– Midway between Marianas and TokyoMidway between Marianas and Tokyo– Support B-29 strategic bombing of JapanSupport B-29 strategic bombing of Japan

• 26,000 casualties26,000 casualties– 2,400 Emergency landings 2,400 Emergency landings

• General Holland SmithGeneral Holland Smith– ““Iwo Jima was the most savage and most costly battle Iwo Jima was the most savage and most costly battle

in the history of the Marine Corps.”in the history of the Marine Corps.”• Admiral NimitzAdmiral Nimitz

– ““Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

• Staging base for invasion of KyushuStaging base for invasion of Kyushu• Joint amphibious operation - Marines under Army Joint amphibious operation - Marines under Army

commandcommand• Heavy Japanese resistanceHeavy Japanese resistance

– 34 U.S. ships sunk34 U.S. ships sunk– USS Benjamin Franklin was damaged in a USS Benjamin Franklin was damaged in a

Kamikaze raid during the invasion of Okinawa - Kamikaze raid during the invasion of Okinawa - March 1945.March 1945.

– 4,900 Sailors killed in action4,900 Sailors killed in action– Over 40,000 U.S. casualtiesOver 40,000 U.S. casualties

• Carrier groups begin raids on Japanese home islands.Carrier groups begin raids on Japanese home islands.– U.S. has established complete control of the seas.U.S. has established complete control of the seas.

Okinawa Campaign April-June 1945Okinawa Campaign April-June 1945

Manhattan Project:Manhattan Project:Atomic BombsAtomic Bombs

• President Truman orders two President Truman orders two bombings.bombings.– Hiroshima - 6 August 1945Hiroshima - 6 August 1945– Nagasaki - 9 August 1945Nagasaki - 9 August 1945

• Believed potential for casualties Believed potential for casualties during a prolonged struggle for during a prolonged struggle for the Japanese home islands is the Japanese home islands is too high.too high.

Japan Japan SurrendersSurrenders

• Japanese officially Japanese officially surrender aboard surrender aboard USS USS MissouriMissouri in in Tokyo Bay on 2 Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945.September 1945.

• MacArthur MacArthur commands U.S. commands U.S. army of occupation army of occupation of Japan.of Japan.

Battle History VideoBattle History Video

1941-19451941-1945- Chapter 2 "Fire and Chapter 2 "Fire and

Water", Time 12:50-Water", Time 12:50-34:00. 34:00.

- Chapter 3 "Steel Chapter 3 "Steel Walls of Freedom", Walls of Freedom", Time: 00:00-21:08 Time: 00:00-21:08

Enabling ObjectivesEnabling Objectives• Comprehend the political and economic forces that Comprehend the political and economic forces that

led Japan to strike at Pearl Harbor.led Japan to strike at Pearl Harbor.• Comprehend the Japanese strategy for an early Comprehend the Japanese strategy for an early

victory and their concept of the postwar Pacific victory and their concept of the postwar Pacific power balance.power balance.

• Comprehend the impact of Pearl Harbor and the Comprehend the impact of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Battles of Coral Sea and Midway on subsequent Battles of Coral Sea and Midway on the transformation of the aircraft carrier's role in the transformation of the aircraft carrier's role in Naval Warfare.Naval Warfare.

• List the significant highlights of the evolution of U.S. List the significant highlights of the evolution of U.S. operational strategy in the Pacific, including major operational strategy in the Pacific, including major battles or campaigns. battles or campaigns.

• Understand the geopolitical and military Understand the geopolitical and military implications of President Truman’s decision to implications of President Truman’s decision to utilize atomic weapons in ending the war.utilize atomic weapons in ending the war.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Next time: The US Navy in the Early Cold Next time: The US Navy in the Early Cold War, 1945-1953War, 1945-1953