War Rages in the Pacific

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War Rages in the Pacific

• 21 May 2010

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Battle of Coral Sea 1942

• Japanese eyeing Australia
• New type of warfare
• Aerial naval battle (planes taking off from
  aircraft carriers did the fighting)
• Victor?
• Tactically Japanese victory
• Strategically Allied victory

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Battle of Midway 1942

• Why a tiny group of islands in the middle of the
  Pacific?
• Location, Location, Location
• Doolittle Raids by USA
• Opportunity for Japan to finish off US Pacific
  Fleet
• Both sides hesitant to engage

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Midway (contd)

• Significance
• IJN severely crippled
• 4 aircraft carriers, 100s of planes and pilots
• Shift in Japanese tactic
• No longer conquering but fighting a defensive war
• Tide of war shifts in favor of Allies

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Battle of Iwo Jima
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Battle of Okinawa