Map by Zoe McCollam

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

kmca1620041 — 2025-02-11 17:54:10 UTC

Pearl Harbor was an attack on the U.S naval base by Japan on Dec 7 1941. They did this because America froze Japan's access to our assets as they were a German ally in WW2. FDR was also antagonizing Japan getting them to make the first move so that we could enter the war. This resulted in thousands dead and the U.S navy destroyed.

Without pearl harbor we would not have gotten involved or gotten involved too late. The U.S had a huge influence on the war stopping many lands from being conquered, introducing new ideas, and helped the forming of NATO. The bombing of pearl harbor was a hideous act of war that strengthened our army in the end.

Midway Road, Kapolei, HI

kmca1620041 — 2025-02-11 18:01:30 UTC

Americas had broken the Japanese code and knew that Midway was their next target. On June 3, 1942 Chester Nimitz sent people to scout the japanese and they found their fleet, sending bombers, torpedos, etc... to find them. This ended with a loss of four aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes.

This was extremely significant because this was how the U.S avenged Pearl Harbor by the U.S that led to territories being gained back from the Japanese, this also allowed them to start moving closer to Japan becoming bigger and forcing them to recognize their power.

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

medw193098_1 — 2025-02-11 18:08:14 UTC

On July 6th, 1942, the Japanese moved troops to the Guadalcanal to construct an airfield. Allies began to believe that planes operating from this airfield would be a problem to other bases near the area. The U.S. began to take steps to rid the island of the japanese troops. August 7th, 1942, the U.S. Marine division launched an attack on the troops, both by air and naval. There was little resistance, and by 36 hours in the attack, the airfield on Guadalcanal and the harbour on Florida Island were seized. The Japanese began to fight back and these events led to a full war, including The Naval battle of Guadalcanal, Land Campaigns, battles in the Eastern Solomons, Cape Esperance, and Santa Cruz. Overall this battle ended in the Allies taking control of Guadalcanal and the Japanese having no control there. There were many casualties among the Japanese (24,000) and the losses of many military weapons.

The Battle of Guadalcanal was a turning point for the Allies in the Pacific war. This is because they took away the defenses of the Japanese and their plot. They also defended other bases that could have been threatened and gained more in the Pacific. I believe that the morale in America was high for this battle. As it was against the Japanese. But, after America's first stride in the battle they were beaten badly. Which may have caused much stress and fear in America for the troops and outcome of the battle. In the end the Allies won, with less casualties than the Japanese. I think this may have given the troops more assurance, because even when they were being beaten hard they came out on top. I also believe that in America the people were hopeful for the war as this battle helped the Allies get more area in the Pacific and was a win against the Japanese. It was the first time the Allies put Japan in the defensive position in the war. The Allies had a strategic war tactic and finally got the upper hand on Japan. Which helped them win the war.

Hiroshima, Japan

kmca1620041 — 2025-02-11 18:19:45 UTC

On August 6th-9th 1945 Enola Gay a B-29 bomber released a Atomic bomb over Hiroshima (an important Japanese military center). The bombs code name was Little boy. It took just 43 seconds for hiroshima to cease to exist. Three days later Fat man (Another bomb) was dropped on Nagasaki leveling the city. In the end there were an estimated 200,000 + deaths. Shortly after Emperor Hirohito called for the papers to end the war.

This is significant because it was a huge turning point in the war. This was what sent The U.S over the top as one of the largest world powers. These bombs murdered thousands on people and injured thousands more. The war would have continued a lot longer had the bomb not been dropped. However this was a huge event that caused distress and hurt for innocent people.

The Battle of the Coral Sea

zmcc251284 — 2025-02-11 18:20:46 UTC

The Battle of the Coral Sea was a naval and air fight in which a US fleet turned back a Japanese invasion force that had been heading for Port Moresby in New Guinea. It was fought by Allies (United States and Australian) where Japanese aircraft fought four different major groups of warships. . In the battles around the naval bases since May, 25 Australians and at least 300 North Vietnamese people died. The outcome stopped the Japanese seaborne invasion of Port Moresby. Even though the Battle was a tactical victory for Japan in terms of ships sank at this time, it has been described as a strategic victory for the Allies. The battle marked the first time since the start of the war that a major Japanese advance had been turned back.

This in itself marked the creation of a new mode of naval warfare. It made the US and the Allies successful in the war and helped us defend their country from getting taken over by Japan. In general it was extremely important and finally gave Japan a disadvantage in WW2. It boosted the hope of soldiers and also the American people because the US was successfully getting the Japanese powers to weaken when they had been strong for so long. This battle changed the course of the war in many ways which showed the US and their strengths.

Written by: Zoe McCollam

Leyte Gulf, Philippines

medw193098_1 — 2025-02-12 03:37:57 UTC

The Allies were on the move to gain control back of the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese had been forced off many of their key posts and islands, and the Islands they did still control were withering. The U.S. continued to "island hop" and gain control of the Pacific. Their next goal was to get positions that would allow the Allies to cut the supply to Japan from the Indies, then to invade/neutralize the coast of China and Taiwan, and finally get bases to attack on the Japanese home islands. The U.S. began airstrikes, which revealed a weakness in Japanese defences. Which lead the U.S. to take the opportunity and strike an assault on Leyte Gulf, which would isolate the Japanese on Mindanao. Leading to to U.S. and Japan having many battles in the Philippines, the U.S. did much damage to Japan and their forces using aircraft, navy, and land military. The battles included the battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of the Sibuyan and Sulu Seas, Battle of Surigao Strait, Battle off Samar, and the Battle off Cape Engaño. In the end there were casualties of both the U.S. and Japan. This battle proved another Allie victory and another Japanese loss to the U.S.

I believe this is another stride for the Allies to breaking down Japan's forces and hold on the Pacific. Which makes way to winning the war. I would say that it is a turning point in the war because the Allies are cutting of Japan's resources, as well as taking a lot of their control away in the Pacific while island hopping. While researching I found that the morale in America about going through with the 3 step plan was mixed. There was resistance in America, which led various generals to advocate for plans that might sway the public's opinion. But it was General Douglas MacArthur who made it happen. I believe there may still have been some apprehension in America because of this grand scheme but it did end up happening whether or not that was the feeling. This fight was significant because it led to the U.S. destroying Japanese naval forces, gaining the Philippines, and gaining control in the Pacific. This led them very close to the Allies victory in WW2. This victory must have not only encouraged the citizens of America, but also the military. The U.S. had much less casualties than Japan, and were now a stronger force than them. Which I believe would have given more comfort than before to the citizens and military of the U.S. This relates to us today because without the victory of this battle, the Allies may have never cut Japan resources and gained the Pacific, which could have led to a devastating defeat.

Iwo Jima, Iōjima, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan

zmcc251284 — 2025-02-12 18:28:28 UTC

The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle where the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Army during WW2. This fight was brutality not only established it as a marker for the courage and sacrifice of the US Marine Corps, but also signified the escalation and violence which American forces faced as they closed in on mainland Japan. Iwo Jima served as an emergency landing site for more than 2,200 B-29 bombers, saving the lives of 24,000 U.S airmen. The American invasion had the goal of capturing the island with its two airfields. The invasion of Iwo Jima was controversial because the island was useless to the Army as a staging base. The Americans secured victory on Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945. Out of an estimated 20,000 Japanese troops on the island, only slightly over 200 survived the battle. This battle was known as the most bloody battle in Marine Corps history.

This battle was a huge part of history and was an important part of WW2. The island had airfields that the U.S military needed to get an advantage. It was a battle that had many deaths and casualties. This battle overall was not a huge turning point but was still important to the war effort and gave the U.S more leverage. Even though the United States had won it was still an extremely tragic battle for us and the Japanese. It affected everyone in some way because over half of the U.S population was fighting in the world war so many had no idea if their family members were alive or not. The outcome of this battle may have influenced the course of the war and the lives of American soldiers and civilians. Because of the win it made people in the US want to contribute more and work harder.

Written by: Zoe McCollam

Okinawa, Japan

medw193098_1 — 2025-02-12 23:03:00 UTC

At Dawn on Easter day, April 1, 1945, the U.S. and Britain sent fleets to surround and invade the island on the southern part of Japan in the Ryukyu Islands. It was vital to capture this part of the island as it would be very useful to help invade the Japanese homelands. The U.S. planned to overwhelm the Japanese troops stationed on Okinawa, with the most brutal invasion they had performed in the Pacific. Before the invasion on Okinawa the Allies had been already attacking by the air and sea as early as October. They did take down a good amount of the Japanese military resources, but they did still have good aircraft. The japanese began suicide attacks on the Allied landing force. Then on April 1, that is when they invaded the island. The Japanese army responded to the invasion on April 6-7 by conducting suicide raids by planes. Many tragedies in this battle took place, both the Japanese and the Allies fought hard. But, in the end Japan lost because they ran out of caves and boulders to fight from and men to fight. It was considered a huge with for the Allies as it provided them an airbase where bombers could strike Japan and an advance anchorage for their fleets. But, it was considered one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during WW2. In the end, there was many losses and casualties on both sides of this fight.

I think this battle was significant in this war as the U.S. was getting more strategic, as well as more harmful. But, they were advancing in the Pacific and on their way to devastating Japan. I believe that is why this is believed to be a great win for the Allies. But, in America I would hope people didn't feel as great as the Allies did. I think that some may have felt great pain and sadness because of the extreme violence this battle had. With many deaths and sacrifices. But, for the war effort this was a great win, and seen as a perfect way to enter Japan. The win of this battle was a huge moment for the Allies to invade Japan, and I think it lead to the atomic bomb in Japan. Which was a huge event in the war. The event that ended it. But the battle also caused fear to generals to enter Japan because of all the casualties in Okinawa.