Battles of World War II
Maddie Cushman
Pacific Front
The Pacific Strategy
In the Pacific, the war was fought with two strategies, island hopping and the two pronged invasion strategy. Using the two pronged attack method, the Allies started invading on two sides, the islands of New Genia and Guadalcanal, and each proceed towards the middle, Japan. This strategy slowly weekend Japan and cut them off from their resources. The second strategy, Island hopping, involved the conquering of islands, progressing closer and closer to Japan. On each island that was conquered, an airfare base was established. These strategies were led by General Douglas MacCarther and Admiral Chester Nimitz.
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Under the administration of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Allies experienced their first major victory in the Pacific. The Japanese were not successful in destroying all of the American ships in Pearl Harbor, so they decided to attack a ring of islands controlled by the Americans. Admiral Nimits heard of the attack Japan was planning, and destroyed their Navy as they arrived to Midway, leaving Japan at a huge disadvantage.
Iwo Jima
Americans landed on the island of Iwo Jima. During Iwo Jima, the Japanese changed their defense tactics, and fought from caves and tunnels, rather than on the beach shore. After nearly five weeks, the Americans won.
Okinawa
Okinawa was the last, and biggest, fight in the Pacific. Okinawa, named "Operation Iceburg," was led by Admiral Chester Nimitz. At Okinawa, the Allies lined the shores with hundreds of battleships, resulting in a land and sea battle. After depleting Japanese resources, the Allies were victorious at the Battle of Okinawa, leading to the end of the war in the Pacific.
The Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March occurred after the Battle of Luzon. At Luzon, the Allied Powers were being greatly defeated, but were ordered by General Douglas McCarther to "fight to the last man." As the Battle worsened, General McCarther fled, and Americans had to surrender. After the surrender, the Japanese marched Filipino and American prisoners of war to the capital, Balanga. During the sixty-five mile march, Prisoners were stripped of their weapons, beaten, and starved.
Flying Tigers
The Flying Tigers were the first American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Airfare. The flying tigers consisted of pilots from the army air corpse, navy, and marine corps. The flying tigers were the only Americans fighting against the Japanese, during their time.
European and African Front
European Strategy
In Europe, Hitler was the main concern. So, the Allies used a three side invasion, in order to trap Hitler in Germany. On one side, the United States were in charge of removing Germans from North Africa. This invasion was led by General Dwight Eisenhower. On the other two sides, Britain and Russia invaded Germany on the east and west, resulting in the Germans being trapped by the three Allied Powers.
The Invasion of Normandy
During the Invasion of Normandy, General George. C. Marshall and General Dwight Eisenhower initiated a plan in which the Allies landed on five beaches in the Normandy Area. General Omar Bradley led the US Army, while General George Patton led the Third US Army. The Allies won, causing a downfall of Germany, and the beginning of the end of World War II.
The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a counterattack, by the Germans, that occurred in 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was a blitzkrieg attack, and was completely unexpected by the Allies. However, the Allies were able to regroup, and then continue into Germany. George Patton, and the US Third Army, played a vital role in the victory of the Allies.
Navajo Code Talkers
The Navajo Code Talkers were bilingual Navajo speakers. The Navajo Code Talkers were recruited by marines to assist in communication in the Pacific Theater region.
Tuskegee Airman
During World War II, segregation was still implemented. The Tuskegee Experience was an army air corps program that trained African Americans to fly war aircrafts, so they could help in the war. The Tuskegee Airmen were the most respected pilots during WWII.
Fall of Berlin
The Soviet army closed in on Berlin in April of 1945, leading to its fall. After Berlin was taken over, Hitler committed suicide, and one week later, the Nazis surrendered. The Allied powers then advanced through Germany, leading to the discovery of concentration camps.