WWII Conclusion: Europe & Asia-Pacific

• Chapter 9 covers the conclusion of WWII in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Introduction

• WWII started in Europe with Germany's invasion of Poland.
• Japan began expanding in China in 1937.
• The US joined the Asia-Pacific war in 1941, escalating it into a total war. Total war involves unrestricted weapon use, mobilization of all resources including civilian targets.

Reasons for Allied Victory in WWII

• Allied strengths:
• The importance of the United States
• The importance of Britain
• The importance of the USSR
• Axis weaknesses:
• Germany's military weaknesses
• Japan's military weaknesses

Key Developments in Europe (1939-1945)

• Germany employed Blitzkrieg ("lightning war") tactics, starting in 1939.
• France fell to Germany in 1940.
• The Battle of Britain occurred in 1940.
• Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, was launched in 1941.
• Operation Overlord (D-Day) took place in 1944.
• Victory in Europe came in 1945.

Blitzkrieg Strategy

• Utilized a swift and focused attack.
• Overwhelmed enemies using mobile forces.
• A result of Germany lacking resources like copper, rubber, and oil to support long-term campaigns.
• Ineffective when strong foes such as the USSR and USA entered the war.

Fall of France (1940)

• Germany attacked France in May 1940.
• Despite support from Britain, France fell to Germany.
• Allied forces retreated to Dunkirk.
• The Allied armies were highly vulnerable but some escaped.
• German generals slowed down the advance.
• The soldiers at Dunkirk were rescued.
• France surrendered in June 1940.
• It was believed if Germany didn't cease the advance at Dunkirk, both Britain and France were forced to surrender.

Battle of Britain

• The German Airforce launched attacks to achieve air superiority.
• Germany attacked British cities in a campaign called the Blitz.
• Britain continued the war effort and resisted surrender, despite losses and damages.

Operation Barbarossa (1941)

• Hitler and Stalin previously signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.
• In June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa.
• Initial Soviet failures put Stalin on the verge of abandoning Moscow.
• The Germans were not able to overwhelm the USSR fast enough.
• Resources provided by the USA through the Lend-Lease scheme allowed Stalin to reorganize war efforts.

Operation Overlord: D-Day (1944)

• The USA declared war against Germany in 1941, assuring assistance for the Allies.
• In September 1943, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies.
• Germany was thus put in a vulnerable position and was fighting alone. D-Day was successful due to overwhelming resources, effective planning, and leadership, with:
• 13,000 Allied aircraft against 400 German aircraft.
• 130,000 Allied troops crossing the English Channel by sea.
• German forces in Normandy were cut off from reinforcements.

Victory in Europe

• The Germans launched counterattacks and used new equipment, such as guided missiles and jets, to no avail.
• The Soviets achieved a major victory in Stalingrad in 1943.
• Soviet troops encircled Berlin by January 1945.
• US and British forces met Soviet forces at the River Elbe in Germany.
• Germany formally surrendered on May 8, 1945.

Key Developments in Asia Pacific (1937-1945)

• Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
• Battle of Midway (1942)
• Island Hopping Strategies (1942-1945)
• Atomic Bomb (1945)

Asia-Pacific Context

• Japan expanded into China, occupying Shanghai, Wuhan, and Nanjing in 1937.
• Japan exploited occupied resources to support the war.
• From 1941, Japan attacked various parts of the Pacific region.
• By 1942, Japan occupied many territories in Asia-Pacific.
• The Allies prioritized defeating Germany but continued resisting Japan.
• By May 1942, Japanese operations were gradually pushed out of many territories.
• Japan faced the Allies alone after Germany surrendered in 1945.

Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)

• The United States lost 18 ships, including 5 battleships.
• Over 2,000 Americans died.
• HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk three days later.
• US intelligence failures led to a surprise Japanese attack.
• The USA entered the war as a result.
• Americans united and dedicated resources to the war.
• Anger amongst the public enabled Roosevelt to rally the country.
• Japanese failed to destroy US aircraft carriers.
• USA retained tactical advantage.
• Japanese failed to gain control of the pacific.

Battle of Midway (1942)

• Japan intended to control Midway Islands to use as a naval air base.
• Midway was located on the route to Pearl Harbor. American forces decoded Japanese messages:
• They prepared for the attack.
• Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers and ¾ of its experienced pilots.
• This weakened naval and air defense capabilities.
• Japan could not match US shipyards and aircraft factories output.

Island Hopping Strategy (1942-1945)

• Japan had already built a large empire in Asia and the Pacific.
• The Allies tried to regain control by utilizing island hopping.
• Strategy:
• Air attacks and submarines isolated Japanese-held areas.
• Poorly defended islands were conquered.
• The U.S. would then further cut off ships.
• The ships would cut off essential supplies to well-defended islands.
• The allies had fewer casualties and gained striking distance of Japan.
• Japan lacked the resources to defend their empire.

Dropping of the Atomic Bomb (1945)

• Japan overstretched resources.
• Japan was unable to defend the empire.
• The US conducted air raids on Japanese soil, such as the Tokyo bombing.
• In April 1945, the Allies took Okinawa.
• Allies killed/captured 100,000 soldiers defending Okinawa, refusing to surrender.
• Allied ships were badly damaged by Kamikaze suicide bombers.
• Japan was pushed back at great cost to the Allies
• The USA was confident of victory over Japan
• The new President Truman was faced with the prospect of heavy casualties if the battle continued.
• The US soldiers needed to beat back the Japanese island by island.
• Then the army would invade Japan itself.
• Alternative: Drop the atomic bomb
• Quick with the Americans wanting quick and unconditional surrender,
• atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima & Nagasaki in quick succession.
• The atomic bombs lead the Japanese to believe The USA had a stockpile of weapons.
• The Japanese Emperor told the army to surrender.
• Some of the military leaders disagreed with the Emperor.
• Instead they attempted the throw the emperor and continue the war.
• Japan surrendered after the Nagasakibomb on 14th August 1945.