War in the Pacific

After Pearl Harbor: Japan Expands Empire

• Jan. 1942- seize Guam, Philippines

• Feb 1942- seize Hong Kong, Singapore

• March 1942- seize Indonesia, Burma

• Japanese continue to win decisive victories

Allies Fights Back

• April 1942 U.S. bombs Tokyo– important psychologically

• Japan no longer considered invincible

Lt. Doolittle

Battles after Pearl Harbor

Coral SeaMay 1942

MidwayJune 1942

Battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942)

• Considered the 1st true Air Battle at sea

• Japanese claimed “victory” (U.S. lost more ships)

• But Japan was stopped from expanding South

Battle of Midway (June 1942)

• Midway Island: contained American airfield

• Japan sent 150 ships—hoped to finish off U.S. navy

• U.S. was outnumbered 4 to 1 (in ships/planes)

• However, U.S. knew the attack was coming– Destroyed 4 Japanese Aircraft carriers, 332 Planes

Midway Turning Point

• 2-day battle the Japanese retreat at Midway

• Allies go on offensive in Pacific

Pacific Strategy

• Douglas Macarthur- – U.S. General in command of Pacific Army

“Hit ‘em where they ain’t, let ‘em die on the vine”

Pacific Strategy: “Island-hop”

• Strategy: seize islands not well defended

• Followed by: cutting supply lines to well defended islands and “starve” the troops out.

Discussion Points

• Explain why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

• Analyze the U.S. military strategy in the Pacific

Pearl Harbor Video