The Pacific Theatre 1941 1945 Retribution Doolittle Raid

The Pacific Theatre: 1941 -1945

Retribution: �Doolittle Raid: April 1942 • Led by Lt. Colonel Doolittle Allied forces regrouped and started the long push towards mainland Japan.

Coral Sea: May 1942 �First naval battle in which only aircraft was used to fight, because the ships were too far apart.

Battle of Midway: June 1942 �Midway is considered the first major victory for the U. S. in the pacific, and the turning point for the Navy.

Island Hopping: 1942 -1945 � Using a two prong attack, the U. S. deployed the Marines and Army to slowly sweep across the Pacific Islands to crush the Japanese forces. � This tactic was called the Island Hopping campaign.

Island Hopping Continued

Guadalcanal: September 1942 �Major military victory for land forces in the Pacific. Over 100, 000 U. S. combatants. �Considered the turnaround for U. S. ground troops.

Philippines: 1944 -1945 �One of the largest Island chains in the Pacific. �Fought from Oct. 1944 -April 1945.

Iwo Jima: February 1945 � Iwo Jima was an air base for the Japanese. (8 square miles!) � U. S. Invasion force of 70, 000 Marines � Historians wonder… “Was it worth it? ”

Okinawa: April-June 1945 �The bloodiest battle of the Pacific. �The U. S. military viewed this invasion as a precursor to invading mainland Japan.

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa �Eugene B. Sledge 3 rd Battalion 5 th Marines, company K. , Mortars platoon.