1. WW2- The threat of invasion

Question 1

What was the allies position in the main war zones at the start of 1942?

Answer 1

• The situation was desperate.
• Hitler’s armies controlled the Balkans and had invaded Russia.
• Rommel was in striking distance of the Suez Canal.
• France and most of Western Europe has been invaded by the Nazis.

Question 2

What happened in the Pacific theatre in December 1941?

Answer 2

• Japan launched a lightning strike on the US naval base in Pearl Harbour.
• this drove the US into WW2.

Question 3

In 1942, where else did the Japanese then take action?

Answer 3

• South East Asia- Shanghai, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaya, Indochina and Thailand.
• eg: 15th February 1942- Singapore fell to the Japanese, with the loss of a British battle ship and batter cruiser.

Question 4

Why was Japans dominance of Asia concerning?

Answer 4

• the whole of Asia now lay open to the Japanese.
• they pushed on into Burma and Mandalay, neighbouring countries of India.
• Japan’s declared aim of freeing Asia from European rule was worrying- they gained support form Burmese and Malays.

Question 5

How did the Allies react to the increasingly desperate situation in the Pacific theatre?

Answer 5

• concern was growing.
• March 1942- viceroy Linlithgow confessed he did not have sufficient armed forces in India at hold out against Japanese invasion.

Question 6

What was the result of the battle of coral sea in May 1942?

Answer 6

• the US Navy defeated the Japanese.

* sea-borne threat of invasion was removed.

Question 7

Despite the Japanese being defeated at sea, what were the Allies still fearful of?

Answer 7

• Japanese land-borne invasion.

* German and Japanese forces linking up in the Middle East.