WWII in the Pacific Flashcards
What timeframe did WWII take place in the Pacific?
1941-1945
When does Roosevelt die?
April 15, 1945
What does Hitler think when Roosevelt dies?
Hitler thinks he catches the break when Roosevelt dies, and that the allies will fall apart.
Even after Roosevelt’s death, will the allies make it?
Yes.
What does the big picture look like after Battle of the Bulge?
We are pressing in on Germany
When does Hitler kill himself?
April 30, 1945
What happened during Hitler’s suicide?
Hitler kills himself, along with his wife Ava Brown in a bunker, married days before suicide, he shot himself, SS bulldozed the bunker, to cover up from Russia.
Why did Hitler kill himself?
- When Germans went from Soviet Union, they were the absolute enemy, so USSR wanted payback, and Germans knew it.
- Germans wanted US to get to Berlin first so US would not hit it as hard, but it won’t happen, so Hitler surrenders and kills himself.
How is the Berlin attack planned with US and USSR?
Eisenhower tells our army to go into Southern Germany, lets Russia go into Berlin, Stalin thought like a politician, and we let them go in so we can cover up the whole country.
When was the German surrender and what is the day called?
May 7, 1945 called VE Day
Where has Japan attacked after Pearl Harbor?
They have expanded into SE Asia, went to Philippines, French-Indo-China, push into Indonesia, and other Pacific islands, gone as far as Aleutian Islands of Kiska and Attu in Alaska.
What seems to be the plan coming up for Japan?
Have a plan of coming back to Hawaii or even into California.
What is the issue with them getting to Hawaii?
There are many steps in the way.
When Japan’s plan was being speculated, what did US do?
They took the defensive war approach.
What was the view of the Pacific during Japan’s attacks?
Arcadia Conference decision had placed priority in Europe and the defeat of Germany. Roosevelt and Churchill discussion before US went to war, focus on Europe, bulk of our allies were there, UK needed help, so did Soviets, and it would take more than Lend-Leases to help them.
After the Arcadia Conference, what was the plan for the allies?
We decided to be offensive in Europe and defensive in the Pacific to just hold off Japan.
When was the Battle of Coral Sea?
May 7-8, 1942
Describe the Battle of Coral Sea.
Takes place off the coast off Australia, to keep Japanese out of Australia, goal for them was to get Australia, but they had to stop them, battle results as a draw.
What kind of battle and warfare were used in Battle of Coral Sea?
It is a sea battle, no land forces, only Navy are involved with ships, planes on ships, planes on planes launched from ships. Launching planes and maneuvering around, and each side is trying to stop each other.
Why is the draw of Battle of Coral Sea significant to the US?
US can show Japan we have resistance
What is Midway?
We used it as a fueling base to get from Japan to Hawaii.
When was the battle of Midway Atoll?
June 4-7, 1942
Describe the battle of Midway Atoll.
More clear of a US victory, we lose 1 ship, Japan loses 4 ships, Japan starts losing momentum. The turning point of the war turns towards the US, Japan pulls back to defensive line.
After the battle of Midway Atoll, what does the US need to do to keep holding off Japan?
They cannot just sit there, in a position where they control much of China and SE Asia, US has to do something to keep them back, because they still own lots of Asia
Where is Guadalcanal?
Solomon Islands
What was the importance of Guadalcanal?
first real attempt for us to drive out Japanese, to be offensive.
