World War II: Pearl Harbor and Key Battles

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• Attack on December 7, 1941, initiated by Japanese aircraft.
• Targeted Wheeler and Hickam airfields, crippling air defenses.
• Resulted in the deaths of 2,400 Americans and 1,200 wounded.
• Destruction included 200 war planes and damage to 18 warships.
• Japanese losses included 29 planes and under 100 personnel.
• Strategic failure for Japan as they did not acquire US oil reserves or aircraft carriers.
• Led to the U.S. declaration of war against Japan on December 8, unified public support for the war effort.
• Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on December 11.

Battle of Midway Island

• A pivotal naval battle fought primarily using aircraft.
• Marked Japan's loss of four aircraft carriers.
• Signified the first major U.S. victory and a turning point in the Pacific War.
• Included the seizure of the Aleutian islands of Kiska and Attu by U.S. forces.

Battle of the Coral Sea

• Took place in May 1942, featuring exclusively aircraft combat.
• U.S. carrier task force, with support from Australia, inflicted substantial losses on the Japanese fleet.
• This battle was crucial in preventing Japanese forces from capturing Midway Island.

Battle of Iwo Jima

• Fought from February to March 1945 on a volcanic island near Japan.
• Capturing Iwo Jima provided an essential base for the Allies to operate damaged aircraft.

Battle of Okinawa

• Occurred between April and June 1945 on a heavily fortified island.
• Featured extensive Japanese defenses with numerous tunnels and caves.
• Japanese kamikaze attacks resulted in the sinking of over 30 U.S. ships.
• Recognized as the costliest engagement of the Pacific War.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

• An attempt by the Japanese navy to disrupt General MacArthur's supply and transport fleet.
• Resulted in the destruction of what remained of the Japanese fleet and the capture of Leyte.

Guam

• Recaptured in June 1944 by U.S. forces as part of the Marianas campaign.
• Enabled the U.S. to conduct roundtrip bombing raids on Japan's home islands.

Hiroshima & Nagasaki

• Atomic bombings on August 6 and 9, 1945, targeting these significant military cities.
• Resulted in over 200,000 deaths and extensive destruction.
• Prompted Japan to request a conditional surrender, seeking to retain Emperor Hirohito.