L13: turning points

Question 1

Significance the bombing of Pearl Harbour

Answer 1

• entry of USA into the war -> would engage in both theatres with Nth Africa being the first place US troops will fight German
• US losses: 2404 military personnel and civilians killed/ 188 aircraft destroyed and 159 damaged (~ 80% of planes on Oahu).
• 21 ships destroyed or damaged h/w 18 repaired
• x USA AC destroyed= Japan hasn’t seriously weakened the USA’s pacific fleet

Question 2

Significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea

Answer 2

• first time Australian + USA fought together in a war
• first time a battle took place where neither sides ships saw each other
• Aus supply routes with USA maintained
• Japanese won’t have significant air support in Battle of Kokoda (PNG)/
• US and Aus morale increased
• Both lost an Aircraft carrier (J had two others unable to join battle of Midway + J would have to launch a land invasion of PNG)

Question 3

Significance of the Battle of the Midway

Answer 3

• first time J had been defeated
• J lost 4 AC and couldn’t replace at the same rate they lost (reinforced the importance of AC in ensuring naval supremacy)
• J was unable to launch another offensive for the rest of the war

Question 4

Significance of the North Africa campaign

Answer 4

• Allies captured up to 500,000 Axis soldiers
• Allies could now plan an invasion of Italy which would commence 2 months later

Question 5

Significance of the Battle of Stalingrad

Answer 5

• Determination of Russians shown through harvest victory and civilians X allowed to evacuate to help build defences + work in factories.
• largest number of casualties in a single battle= 1.9mil
• morale boosting for the USSR
• Gr lost some of its most experience troops -> 800,000 casualties + 91,000 became POWs
• Hitler increased his control of strategy -> poor decision making

Question 6

Significance of the Battle of Kursk

Answer 6

• Largest tank battle in history.
• Rus: ~800,000 men /over 8000 tanks + assaults guns destroyed or damaged.
• Gr: ~200,000 men / over 4000 tanks + assault guns destroyed or damaged.
• Gr was unable to replace whereas USSR could replace and continue to expand army + equipment
• Gr had been stopped from making a major breakthrough with one of their offensives for the first time in war