Slide 2

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Summarize the Japanese attack on Summarize the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.Pearl Harbor.

Explain US and Japanese strategy at Explain US and Japanese strategy at the opening of WWII.the opening of WWII.

Be familiar with the timeline of key Be familiar with the timeline of key events in the Pacific Theater.events in the Pacific Theater.

Summarize the battles for Guadalcanal, Summarize the battles for Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

Describe the decisions that led to the Describe the decisions that led to the employment of the atomic bomb.employment of the atomic bomb.

Slide 3

The Road to WarThe Road to War

Japan sought to control of “East Asia” for Japan sought to control of “East Asia” for additional markets and sources of raw additional markets and sources of raw materialsmaterials– Invades China in 1931.Invades China in 1931.– Invades French Indochina in 1940. Invades French Indochina in 1940.

““Colonial” governments begin imposing Colonial” governments begin imposing embargoes to put brakes on Japanese embargoes to put brakes on Japanese expansion.expansion.

Japanese armed forces argue that they must Japanese armed forces argue that they must strike to relieve pressure of embargoes.strike to relieve pressure of embargoes.– Expect conflict, but buy time and surprise through Expect conflict, but buy time and surprise through

negotiations.negotiations. US and UK focused on war in Europe.US and UK focused on war in Europe.

Slide 4

Japanese StrategyJapanese Strategy

Three PhasesThree Phases– Phase I: Surprise attacks, then strategic Phase I: Surprise attacks, then strategic

defense.defense.• Knock out US fleet; seize vital areas; establish Knock out US fleet; seize vital areas; establish

defensive perimeter.defensive perimeter.– Phase II: Strengthen perimeter; make any Phase II: Strengthen perimeter; make any

offensive action by the US prohibitively offensive action by the US prohibitively costly.costly.

– Phase III: Defeat and destroy any forces Phase III: Defeat and destroy any forces that attempt to penetrate the perimeter.that attempt to penetrate the perimeter.

Long US LOC and natural strength of Long US LOC and natural strength of defense should almost guarantee defense should almost guarantee success. success.

Slide 7

Pearl HarborPearl HarborSurpriseSurprise

– Deception operationsDeception operations– First significant use of carriers.First significant use of carriers.– Tactical home run, but strategic foul ball…or Tactical home run, but strategic foul ball…or

strikeout?strikeout?Critical Vulnerability??Critical Vulnerability??

– US Pacific FleetUS Pacific Fleet• Destruction of battleships proved Destruction of battleships proved

counterproductive.counterproductive.– US carriers proved to be “surface” that cost Japanese US carriers proved to be “surface” that cost Japanese

the war.the war.

Fog and friction?Fog and friction?

Slide 9

Who’s in charge?Who’s in charge?

General MacArthurGeneral MacArthur– SWPASWPA

• Southwestern PacificSouthwestern Pacific• Many large land massesMany large land masses

– ManeuverManeuver– Retake PIRetake PI– Island Hop, but larger Island Hop, but larger

land masses.land masses.

Admiral NimitzAdmiral Nimitz– POAPOA

• North, Central, Southern North, Central, Southern PacificPacific

• Primarily open oceanPrimarily open ocean– Carrier AirCarrier Air– Island HopIsland Hop

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Island Hopping CampaignIsland Hopping Campaign

LtCol (then Maj) “Pete” Ellis develops OPLAN 712 LtCol (then Maj) “Pete” Ellis develops OPLAN 712 “Advanced Base Operations in Micronesia” (aka “the “Advanced Base Operations in Micronesia” (aka “the Orange Plan”) in 1921.Orange Plan”) in 1921.– Predicts that Japan will strike first.Predicts that Japan will strike first.– " . . . it will be necessary for us to project our fleet" . . . it will be necessary for us to project our fleet

and landing forces across the Pacific and wage war in and landing forces across the Pacific and wage war in Japanese waters. To effect this requires that we have Japanese waters. To effect this requires that we have sufficient bases to support the fleet, both during its projection sufficient bases to support the fleet, both during its projection and afterwards. To effect [an amphibious landing] in the face and afterwards. To effect [an amphibious landing] in the face of enemy resistance requires careful training and preparation of enemy resistance requires careful training and preparation to say the least; and this along Marine lines. It is not enough to say the least; and this along Marine lines. It is not enough that the troops be skilled infantrymen or artillery men of high that the troops be skilled infantrymen or artillery men of high morale; they must be skilled watermen and jungle-men whomorale; they must be skilled watermen and jungle-men whoknow it can be done--Marines with Marine training."know it can be done--Marines with Marine training."

Slide 13

MajGen Lejeune circa 1923MajGen Lejeune circa 1923

"... on both flanks of a fleet crossing the Pacific "... on both flanks of a fleet crossing the Pacific are numerous islands suitable for utilization by an are numerous islands suitable for utilization by an enemy for radio stations, aviation, submarine, or enemy for radio stations, aviation, submarine, or destroyer bases. All should be mopped up as destroyer bases. All should be mopped up as progress is made. . . The presence of an progress is made. . . The presence of an expeditionary force with the fleet would add expeditionary force with the fleet would add greatly to the striking power of the Commander-in-greatly to the striking power of the Commander-in-Chief of the fleet. . . . The maintenance, equipping, Chief of the fleet. . . . The maintenance, equipping, and training of its expeditionary force so that it will and training of its expeditionary force so that it will be in instant readiness to support the fleet in the be in instant readiness to support the fleet in the event of war, I deem to be the most important event of war, I deem to be the most important Marine Corps duty in time of peace."Marine Corps duty in time of peace."

Slide 15

LogisticsLogistics

Logistics plays a crucial role in the Pacific.Logistics plays a crucial role in the Pacific.– Island Hopping to seize advanced (primarily air) Island Hopping to seize advanced (primarily air)

bases and cut Japanese LOC.bases and cut Japanese LOC. Japanese have qualitative edge in military Japanese have qualitative edge in military

hardware at the beginning of war.hardware at the beginning of war.– Choose quality over quantity (Zero, Choose quality over quantity (Zero, YamatoYamato).).– Unable to replace assets quickly.Unable to replace assets quickly.

US is master of mass production.US is master of mass production.– Average quality, tremendous quantity.Average quality, tremendous quantity.– Implement ideas from captured equipment.Implement ideas from captured equipment.

US subs operate independently and sink US subs operate independently and sink Japanese ships faster than Japan can Japanese ships faster than Japan can produce them. produce them.

Slide 16

19411941

December 7December 7 Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor

Dec 8Dec 8 US & GB declare war on JapanUS & GB declare war on Japan

Dec 9Dec 9 China declares war on JapanChina declares war on Japan

Dec 10Dec 10 Prince of WalesPrince of Wales and and RepulseRepulse sunksunk

Japan invades Burma, Hong Kong, Japan invades Burma, Hong Kong, Philippines, Guam, Wake, & BorneoPhilippines, Guam, Wake, & Borneo

Slide 17

19421942 The Empire ExpandsThe Empire Expands

FebruaryFebruary Singapore fallsSingapore falls

MarchMarch New GuineaNew Guinea

AprilApril BataanBataan

MayMay CorregidorCorregidor

Slide 18

19421942

AprilApril Doolittle Raid on Tokyo Doolittle Raid on Tokyo– Tactical evolution with strategic impact.Tactical evolution with strategic impact.– Shifts morale in both countriesShifts morale in both countries– Adapt and overcome… Adapt and overcome…

MayMay Coral Sea Coral Sea– ““Stop the enemy”Stop the enemy”– Tactical victory for JapanTactical victory for Japan– Strategic victory for USStrategic victory for US

JuneJune Midway MidwayJuly-NovemberJuly-November Guadalcanal Guadalcanal

– Island not officially “secured” until Feb ’43.Island not officially “secured” until Feb ’43.

Slide 20

Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway June 1942June 1942

Original perimeter not sufficient. Original perimeter not sufficient. – Doolittle raid concerns Japanese.Doolittle raid concerns Japanese.– Want base to bomb Hawaii.Want base to bomb Hawaii.– Deliver killing blow to US fleet.Deliver killing blow to US fleet.

SecuritySecuritySimplicitySimplicityYamamoto uses “operational push” Yamamoto uses “operational push”

tactics.tactics.– Attacks island before locating US fleet.Attacks island before locating US fleet.

First naval battle fought entirely with First naval battle fought entirely with airplanes.airplanes.

Slide 21

Midway: The Tide TurnsMidway: The Tide Turns

Patrol planes spot Japanese main body just as Patrol planes spot Japanese main body just as they are about to RTB.they are about to RTB.

Midway-based A/C strike Japanese TF Midway-based A/C strike Japanese TF Japanese A/C attack Midway with little impact.Japanese A/C attack Midway with little impact.

– Rearm w/ bombs or torpedoes?Rearm w/ bombs or torpedoes? US carrier-based torpedo attack has same US carrier-based torpedo attack has same

outcome as land-based attack, but distract outcome as land-based attack, but distract fighters and allow dive bombers to hit TF while fighters and allow dive bombers to hit TF while planes rearm/refuel.planes rearm/refuel.– Aviation “combined arms”?Aviation “combined arms”?

Japanese lose four heavy carriers, all planes, and Japanese lose four heavy carriers, all planes, and many of their best pilots; US loses many of their best pilots; US loses YorktownYorktown..

Slide 23

GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

7 August 19427 August 1942 First offensive action of the war.First offensive action of the war. Critical airfield.Critical airfield.

– First plane makes emergency landing on 12 Aug.First plane makes emergency landing on 12 Aug.– 2 USMC squadrons arrive on 20 Aug.2 USMC squadrons arrive on 20 Aug.– Only one “healthy” carrier left by end of battle.Only one “healthy” carrier left by end of battle.

Strategic offense; tactical defenseStrategic offense; tactical defense Navy bugs out, taking majority of supplies Navy bugs out, taking majority of supplies

with them.with them.– Redeem themselves during critical 12 Nov naval Redeem themselves during critical 12 Nov naval

battle when they turn back major Japanese force.battle when they turn back major Japanese force.

Slide 24

GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

Japanese piecemeal counterattacks.Japanese piecemeal counterattacks.– Maneuver, mass, and surprise all Maneuver, mass, and surprise all

hampered by jungle.hampered by jungle.• 8 day forced march8 day forced march

– USMC conducts vigorous patrols as part of USMC conducts vigorous patrols as part of “active defense”.“active defense”.• 2d Raider Bn conducts month-long patrol.2d Raider Bn conducts month-long patrol.

– Japanese attempt to reinforce by sea, but Japanese attempt to reinforce by sea, but suffer significant losses in the process. (7 suffer significant losses in the process. (7 of 11 transports)of 11 transports)

Jungle causes significant casualties.Jungle causes significant casualties.– Over 1k new cases of malaria per week.Over 1k new cases of malaria per week.

Army comes in to mop up in November.Army comes in to mop up in November.

Slide 25

ResultsResults

Island “secured” in Feb ’43.Island “secured” in Feb ’43.Japan suffers critical losses in all areas.Japan suffers critical losses in all areas.

– 600 a/c, 2300 aircrew600 a/c, 2300 aircrew– 25k soldiers (1/2 in combat, ½ to illness)25k soldiers (1/2 in combat, ½ to illness)– 2 BB, 3 CV, 12 Cruisers, 25 destroyers2 BB, 3 CV, 12 Cruisers, 25 destroyers

• Roughly same number as US, but Japan Roughly same number as US, but Japan unable to replace.unable to replace.

Institution of CATF/CLF.Institution of CATF/CLF.

1st Marine Division Staff

23 Generals, 1 Admiral, 3 Commandants;

40 officers with 700 yrs of combined service.

Slide 30

19431943– MarchMarch Bismark Sea (limited Japanese Bismark Sea (limited Japanese

reinforcement of Southern Pacific)reinforcement of Southern Pacific)– NovemberNovember Tarawa and Makin (Gilberts) Tarawa and Makin (Gilberts)

1944 1944 – FebruaryFebruary Kwajalein & Eniwetok (Marshalls)Kwajalein & Eniwetok (Marshalls)– February-JuneFebruary-June New Guinea New Guinea– June-AugustJune-August Saipan, Tinian, Guam Saipan, Tinian, Guam

(Marianas)(Marianas)• B29s now able to be recovered after hitting JapanB29s now able to be recovered after hitting Japan

– October October Leyte Gulf Leyte Gulf • Destroyed much of Japanese NavyDestroyed much of Japanese Navy

Slide 31

The Low RoadThe Low Road

MacAurthur leap-frogs through his AO.MacAurthur leap-frogs through his AO.– Skips heavily defended islands and areas Skips heavily defended islands and areas

and leaves them to “wither on the vine” by and leaves them to “wither on the vine” by taking less well defended surrounding taking less well defended surrounding islands and cutting off LOC. islands and cutting off LOC.

Seizure of New Guinea puts him in a Seizure of New Guinea puts him in a position to retake Philippines.position to retake Philippines.– Works around coast of NG to take Works around coast of NG to take

advantage of naval superiority, again advantage of naval superiority, again bypassing and cutting off strong points.bypassing and cutting off strong points.• Critical vulnerabilities?Critical vulnerabilities?

Slide 32

19451945

February-MarchFebruary-March Iwo Jima Iwo Jima MarchMarch Tokyo raids Tokyo raids

• Low level incendiary bombing runs with much Low level incendiary bombing runs with much destruction. Designed to force surrender but destruction. Designed to force surrender but didn’t.didn’t.

April-JuneApril-June Okinawa Okinawa AugustAugust

• 6th Hiroshima6th Hiroshima• 9th Nagasaki9th Nagasaki• 1414thth Japan surrenders. Japan surrenders.

September 2September 2 VJ Day VJ Day

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Iwo JimaIwo Jima D-Day D-Day 9 Feb 19459 Feb 1945 Airfields again the objectives. Airfields again the objectives. 450 ships 450 ships Pre-invasion bombardment shortened from Pre-invasion bombardment shortened from

12 to 3 days. 12 to 3 days. – Weather limited effectiveness of even this.Weather limited effectiveness of even this.

33rdrd, 4, 4thth, 5, 5thth MARDIVs MARDIVs– 11stst wave gets ashore, but when bombardment lifts wave gets ashore, but when bombardment lifts

for them to move inland, all hell breaks loose.for them to move inland, all hell breaks loose. Southern half of island in US hands by D+2.Southern half of island in US hands by D+2.

– Takes 34 more days to secure remainder of island Takes 34 more days to secure remainder of island (8 square miles total).(8 square miles total).

Slide 35

Iwo JimaIwo Jima

Nothing fancy; simple but costly.Nothing fancy; simple but costly.– ““Throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete.”Throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete.”

36 days, 26k US casualites including 6k KIA.36 days, 26k US casualites including 6k KIA.– 1 of every 3 US personnel that went ashore was 1 of every 3 US personnel that went ashore was

wounded or killed.    wounded or killed.    1k of 20k defenders survived    1k of 20k defenders survived    2400 B-29s w/ 27k crewmen made unscheduled 2400 B-29s w/ 27k crewmen made unscheduled

landings on island by the time the war ended.landings on island by the time the war ended. 27 Medals of Honor awarded.27 Medals of Honor awarded.  

"The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off off ultimate defeat. By their victory, the 3d, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the 5th Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue. "Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Slide 39

OkinawaOkinawa

D Day 1 AprilD Day 1 April Last stop before the mainland.Last stop before the mainland. 1200 ships1200 ships 1, 2, 6 MARDIV + 3 Army divisions1, 2, 6 MARDIV + 3 Army divisions USMC heads north; secures northern ½ of island USMC heads north; secures northern ½ of island

by D+4.by D+4. Combined Army/USMC battle determined Combined Army/USMC battle determined

Japanese defenders until late June.Japanese defenders until late June.– Gen Geiger named to command Tenth Army when Gen Geiger named to command Tenth Army when

Buckner is KIA.Buckner is KIA. Better job of using combined-arms, but still ugly.Better job of using combined-arms, but still ugly.

Slide 41

DesperationDesperation

Kamikaze = Divine WindKamikaze = Divine Wind1900 planes launched against US 1900 planes launched against US

during Battle for Okinawa.during Battle for Okinawa.– 6 April6 April

• 355 launched355 launched– 22 get through defenses22 get through defenses

» 3 US ships sunk.3 US ships sunk.

                                

Slide 42

The CostsThe Costs

US US – 7k KIA7k KIA– 31k WIA31k WIA

JapanJapan– 130k KIA130k KIA– 10k POW10k POW– Lost 700+ aircraftLost 700+ aircraft

Victory was never in doubt…What was in doubt, in all our minds, was whether there would be any of us left to dedicate our cemetery at the end, or whether the last Marine would die knocking out the last Japanese gun and gunner. Let the world count our crosses.

MajGen Graves Erskine, CG 3d Marine Division, following the Battle for Iwo Jima

What platoon are you guys?

Platoon, hell! We’re the 2nd Battalion, 22d Marines, what’s left of us anyway.

Exchange between Marines following the Battle for Sugarloaf Hill on Okinawa, May 1945

Slide 45

A New Formula for MassA New Formula for Mass

Japan warned, but refused to surrender.Japan warned, but refused to surrender. Planners estimated invasion would result in 3-Planners estimated invasion would result in 3-

5x as many casualties as at Okinawa.5x as many casualties as at Okinawa. HiroshimaHiroshima

– 6 August 19456 August 1945– HQ, Japanese 2HQ, Japanese 2ndnd Army Army– 60-70k killed or missing60-70k killed or missing

NagasakiNagasaki– 9 August9 August– 40k killed40k killed

Compare Compare – Dresden 35-135kDresden 35-135k– Tokyo 120k KIA/WIATokyo 120k KIA/WIA

Logical outcome of “Total War”?Logical outcome of “Total War”?

Slide 48

For Further StudyFor Further Study

At Dawn We SleptAt Dawn We Slept PrangePrange GuadalcanalGuadalcanal FrankFrank Goodbye DarknessGoodbye Darkness

ManchesterManchester Battle CryBattle Cry UrisUris With the Old BreedWith the Old Breed SledgeSledge Iwo Jima, Legacy of ValorIwo Jima, Legacy of Valor RossRoss A Marine Named MitchA Marine Named Mitch PaigePaige Once a LegendOnce a Legend HoffmanHoffman Once a MarineOnce a Marine VandergriftVandergrift

Slide 49

Questions?Questions?