# data[].attributes.body
7th July 1937

Japanese troops seize large areas of north east China including the capital, Beijing. Coastal cities are also occupied in the following months.  Chinese forces are forced to withdraw west.  For China, this marks the start of the Second World War.

# data[].attributes.body
5th September, 1940

Following France’s defeat by Germany, Japan moves troops into French Indochina. As well as gaining new bases in the south, this cuts off a major supply route to China.

# data[].attributes.body
2nd September 1945

The formal document of Japanese surrender is signed aboard the Battleship USS Missouri, moored in Tokyo Bay. Other surrender ceremonies are held in the remaining Japanese held territories.

# data[].attributes.body
15 August 1945

Emperor Hirohito announces, via radio, Japan’s acceptance of the Allies’ surrender terms.  Some fighting continues in the Pacific due to communication problems.

# data[].attributes.body
8th August, 1945

Soviet forces invade Japanese held Manchuria. After meeting tough resistance to begin with, the Soviet forces quickly breakthrough the defences  and rapidly overrun Manchuria and northern Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
9th August, 1945

3 days after Hiroshima, a second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, this time killing roughly 60,000 to 80,000 people.

# data[].attributes.body
6th August 1945

An atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, destroying the city. It is estimated to have a death toll of 70,000 to 135,000 people.

# data[].attributes.body
1st April 1945

US troops land on Okinawa, the last island group before Japan itself is to be attacked. Japan resists strongly, and carries out the first kamikaze attacks. 10,755 of the Japanese garrison of 120,000, surrender; the first time a large number of Japanese became prisoners of war.  Over 100,000 civilians are killed.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Iwo Jima, Iōjima, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan

# data[].attributes.headline
Iwo Jima, Iōjima, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan

# data[].attributes.subject
Iwo Jima, Iōjima, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan

# data[].attributes.body
19th February 1945

US Marines land on Iwo Jima.  The island takes over a month to secure.  Of the 22,000 Japanese garrison, only 216 surrender.  Iwo Jima provides airfields for bombers attacking Japan, and is selected as the base for the aircraft carrying atomic bombs.

# data[].attributes.body
4th December 1944

British Empire forces begin a major offensive to clear Burma. After 5 months heavy fighting Rangoon falls to an amphibious attack just as the monsoon rains bring movement to a halt.

# data[].attributes.body
23th October 1944

The Japanese Navy attempts to destroy the US invasion fleet off Leyte. Over three days the Japanese attacks are beaten off with heavy loss and fail to inflict major damage. The Japanese navy is effectively destroyed.

# data[].attributes.body
20th October 1944

US troops land on Leyte.  Major fighting continues throughout the islands until June 1945. The invasion helps to block Japanese links to the Dutch East Indies and Malaya.

# data[].attributes.body
19th June 1944

The Japanese attempt to prevent further advances in the Pacific by destroying the US fleet in a major battle. Instead the Japanese navy suffers heavy loses in ships and aircraft. US pilots call it “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”.

# data[].attributes.body
15th June 1944

US troops land on Saipan Island, securing it in 3 weeks. Using Saipan as a base, US bombers are now within range of Japan. Of the 31,000 Japanese garrison, only 921 surrender.

# data[].attributes.body
19 April 1944

Japan launches an offensive into Southern China to remove bases for US long range bombers attacking Japan. The offensive also opens links between North China and Indochina.

# data[].attributes.body
5th April 1944

Trying to delay an expected Allied advance,  Japanese forces attack from Burma into India. In heavy fighting around Kohima and Imphal the Japanese are decisively defeated and by July are forced to withdraw.

# data[].attributes.body
31st January 1944

US Marines land on Kwajalein Atoll.  Learning from the fighting on Tarawa, the US take the islands relatively easily.

# data[].attributes.body
15th December 1943

US troops land in New Britain. This bypasses and isolates Japanese forces in New Guinea and the base of Rabaul. This marks the development of “island hopping” where only key points need to be occupied whilst Japanese forces are left to “wither on the vine”.

# data[].attributes.body
20 November 1943

US Marines land on Tarawa Atoll.  Despite heavy resistance and difficult terrain, the Atoll is secured in 4 days.  The seizure of Tarawa is the beginning of a new drive through the Central Pacific by the US Navy.

# data[].attributes.body
4th March 1943

A Japanese convoy carrying reinforcements to New Guinea is intercepted and destroyed by Allied aircraft. Further reinforcement of New Guinea by Japan is limited, weakening their hold in the Southeast Pacific

# data[].attributes.body
7th August 1942

US Marines invade Guadalcanal to prevent the Japanese building up a base which would threaten Australia. Japan responds with reinforcements. On February 8th, 1943, Japan abandons the island after heavy losses.

# data[].attributes.body
21st July 1942

Japanese troops land on the north east of New Guinea. Attempts to seize Port Moresby are halted by Australian forces after fierce battle.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Midway Island, United States Minor Outlying Islands, United States

# data[].attributes.headline
Midway Island, United States Minor Outlying Islands, United States

# data[].attributes.subject
Midway Island, United States Minor Outlying Islands, United States

# data[].attributes.body
4th June 1942
A Japanese fleet attempts to invade Midway Island, but is ambushed and pushed back. Suffering heavier losses than the US, they lose their naval dominance in the Pacific

# data[].attributes.body
5th May 1942
Concerned that Madagascar (occupied by pro-Axis Vichy France forces) might be used as a base by the Japanese, British forces land in northern Madagascar. Central and Southern areas are occupied in September.

# data[].attributes.body
4th May 1942
Japanese and American carrier fleets clash. It is the first naval battle fought solely with aircraft.  The USA suffer heavier loses but turn back a Japanese invasion fleet.

# data[].attributes.body
18th April, 1942
The USA launches an air raid on Tokyo. While it does minor damage, it is a huge morale boost for the USA.

# data[].attributes.body
16th December, 1941
Japan Invades Burma, and by the end of May 1942, the British are forced into their longest retreat in history

# data[].attributes.body
15th December, 1941
The Japanese Invade the Dutch islands, which produce key resources such as oil and rubber. In 8th March, the Dutch surrendered.

# data[].attributes.body
8th December, 1941
On the same date as the Pearl Harbour attack, the Japanese attack Hong Kong. After 18 days of fighting, on 25th December, 1941, Hong Kong's Governor Surrendered.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Bataan Peninsula, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines

# data[].attributes.headline
Bataan Peninsula, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines

# data[].attributes.subject
Bataan Peninsula, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines

# data[].attributes.body
8th December, 1941
USA withdraws to Bataan Peninsula, and then to Corregidor Island, just south of Bataan. On May 5th, 1942, Corregidor Island falls to Japanese forces

# data[].attributes.body
8th December, 1941
Japanese invade Luzon

# data[].attributes.body
February 8th - 15th, 1942
Singapore falls to the Japanese military. It is the largest surrender in British History.

# data[].attributes.body
8th December, 1941
The Japanese invade Northern Malaya, with British troops being forced back

# data[].attributes.body
7th December, 1941
Pearl Harbour was attacked by the Japanese, causing major damage to the USA's Pacific fleet. USA declares war against Japan