Battles of World War II
Breanna McGaha
Pacific Theater
The European Theater
The Baatan Death March
After the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula, April 9, 1942, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops were forced to march to prisoner of war camps. Harsh treatment of these men by Japanese solders and starvation as well as disease claimed the life of many Filipino and American troops as they treaded to camp O'Donnell.
Island-Hopping and the two pronged attack strategy
Under General MacArthur, the United States began to seize strategic locations in the pacific in order to bypass and isolate strongly held Japanese post. The goal of this strategy, island hopping, was to get within striking distance of Japan's home islands. However, MacArthur planned along with admiral Nimitz what they called a two prong attack to this island hopping strategy. Macarthur would advance Northwest towards the Philippines and Nimitz would advance through Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline and Marianas islands. Correct execution of these strategies would result in a proper range for US to bomb Japan.
The Battle of Midway
After pear harbor, the US defeated Japan in a naval battle which marked the turning point in the war. The Battle of Midway also was the stopping point of Japanese imperialism. The Japanese were planning on sinking American aircraft carriers that weren't destroyed in the pear harbor bombing. Due to American officers learning of this they were able to reposition themselves, countering the attack of the Japanese and winning the battle.
The Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was defended by approximately 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops. Though the Japanese had a complex style of fighting the US was victorious in both defeating them and acquiring a base near the Japanese coast.
The Battle of Okinawa
This battle one the last and biggest battle on the pacific front. It resulted in many casualties including a higher number of civilian because the area in which the battle took place was more populated then other Pacific Islands. Both sides had important air bases at stake resulting in new tactics, such as the Japanese not fighting at the shore, and more solders in the air and on the ground. The Japanese even launched suicide attacks and kamikaze missions for these suicide mission and sending their last big boat in.
Chester Nimitz
Commander of US Pacific fleet. He commanded all land and sea forces in the Central Pacific. His strategies proved successful in the war.
Douglas MacArthur
Commander of US army forces in the far East. Appointed Supreme commander of allied forces in the southwest after pearl harbor attack, where he promised he'd return. A few months after returning to the Philippines he was promoted to general of the army and eventually he was given command of all army forces in the Pacific. It was he who looked after the demobilization of Japan's military forces.
The Flying Tigers
A group of Volunteered pilots from the army and marine corps as wells and navy all of whom were recruited under presidential orders and approval. These men were trained to defend china.
Closing the ring
This strategy was the brain child of Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt which involved putting a blockade on supplies in Berlin and bombing munition centers and cities in Germany. This would lead to gradually furthering the American Army for an attack on Germany.
The Invasion Of Normandy (D-Day)
This Invasion also known as Operation Over lord was strategically planned to deceive Hitler into thinking they allies were going to attack from the pas-de-Calais. This invasion was known as the largest invasion by sea in history. Under the command of General Eisenhower, British, Canadian, and US forces secured several beachheads on the Normandy coast. After these attacks troops moved swiftly to push German occupying forces back. The Germans were able to launch one counterattack in Battle of the bulge in which the US was able to overcome and reorganize to continue their advance.
The Battle of the Bulge
The battle was designed to split the allied armies in half by way of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust by the German armies. The German troops drive deeper into the heavily forested Ardennes catching many American units off guard. Defeat of the desperately fighting allied lines gave time for General George S Patton to successfully put in place a third Army which was proved to be vital to the allies defense.
Dwight Eisenhower
Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Western Europe and leader of the massive invasion of Normandy. He worked as a planning master after pearl harbor and in the five years following he rose from that to Lieutenant colonel to supreme commander.
George S Patton
Commander of the 3rd army. He was assigned command to the "army" in which Germany was expecting to attack in southeastern England on D-Day. He led his army across the Rhine river into Germany capturing 10,000 miles of territory and helping to liberate Nazi rule. After German surrender, Patton was removed from commander of the third army because of his criticism of the allies policies following the end of the war.
Omar Bradley
Called upon by General Eisenhower to command the 1st US army during the Normandy invasion. Succeeded Patton in his role as commander of the third army. Mastermind behind operation cobra, the outbreak which released and first army and the activated third army across southern Normandy causing the collapse of the German army.
George Marshall
He was chief of staff when the war first broke out and his job was to increase the size of the American army. From the start of the war to 1942 he managed to make the combat strength of the US army increase dramatically. Marshall advised until American forces had gained more experience, until command of the Atlantic was fulfilled, and until the air had been secured a 1944 attack across the English channel held too great of a military risk.
The Navajo Code Talkers
Bilingual Navajo speakers recruited by marines for the purpose of serving in standard communication units. The proposition of the use of these people was first brought up at the beginning of the war.
Tuskegee Airmen
The first African American aviators to serve in the US armed forces. Although receiving racial discrimination, these men helped pave the way for eventual integration of the US army.
Red Tails "Tuskegee Airmen"
The fall of Berlin
The Battle and defeat of Berlin was the final major offensive battle for the European theater of war. The soviet army attacked Berlin from the East and South while German forces were positioned to the North of Berlin. Hitler and his followers committed suicide while the city defenders surrendered. Some German units continued to fight westward though to avoid surrendering to the Soviets and instead surrendering to the western allies.