The War in the Pacific

• Background
  • There is a clash between Japanese expansionism (particularly in China and eventually into Indochina) and Western Imperialist interests
  • World War 2 in Europe has negated many of the Imperialists (the British, French, and Dutch).
  • The Imperialists in East Asia, opening the door for Japanese Expansion. Only the US interests remain strong.
• Embargo
  • In 1940 and 41, the US embargoes on Japan have steadily increased.
  • US embargo on oil (they get 90% from the US) and scrap iron in August 1941 are regarded by Japan as a casus belli.
  • The US embargo has completed Japan's domestic transformation into a fascist, single-party state under Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
• Pearl Harbor
  • December 7th, 1941 witnesses a wide range of Japanese surprise attacks which secure the DE Indies, which contains oil.
  • The assault on Singapore and the US forces in Philippines are a preliminary to conquest of Indonesia.
  • Japan has deemed the US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor as the primary threat to their conquest of Greater East Asian Company.
  • They are aiming for a Prosperity Sphere, or economic self sufficiency (autarky).
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor was a limited success. The US has 7 Battleships: 3 are sunk, 3 are badly damaged, and 1 is run aground.
  • 6/7 are back in use by June 1942.
• Japan's problems
  • Japan failed to eliminate Australia as a base for allied operations, mainly by losing two campaigns
    • Guadalcanal/Coral Sea (May 1942)
    • Midway and a 2nd rebuff of an attack on Hawaii
      • Lost 4/5 carriers and decimated their veteran pilots
  • In Spring 1942, American Filipino forces surrender to Japanese General Homma. The survivors are a part of the Bataan Death March (6000 americans) where the Japanese treat the surrendered americans like dogs. The Bataan Death March becomes an Alamo type situation, where is makes the Americans angry and lust for revenge.
  • MacArthur vows, "I shall return," and bases his US army forces out of Australia. For Japan to secure DEI they must isolate Australia so that it isn't a viable base for US ships. The Japanese are trying to complete the conquest of New Guinea by taking Guadalcanal (which sits astride shipping lanes to Australia) to have a strategic location.
  • There are 9 months of jungle warfare, and in May 1942, the US Pacific feet will meet the Japanese at the Battle of Coral Sea, which is a stalemate and forces a Japanese retreat.
  • Japanese dual failure leads them to attempt another attack on Hawaii. 5/9 aircraft carriers and 40,000 troops in transports are sent by Japan to attack and occupy Hawaii.
  • The 1st Hawaiian Island Chain is Midway, the US army Air Base.
  • In June 1942, Japan's carrier force launches an attack on Midway Island (partially) and then both find each other in ocean and air attacks on the opposing fleets. The Japanese loose 4/5 carriers and the other is too damaged to land a plane. The US looses 1/4 and 2 are badly damaged. Japan looses the cream of their fighter pilots at Midway and never recover.
  • June 1942, Japan has lost. After Midway, Japanese air tactics will switch to Kamikaze Attacks, which is a successful tactic, but the US produces more than the Japanese sink.
• Japan made its play for dominance in the region (GEACPS)
  • Dec 7, 1941 until June 1942
• From June 1942 until Nagasaki of August 1945, Japan is on the defensive
• Japan in some ways benefits from the Allies' Europe first strategy, which was decided upon in early 1942 at the Arcadia Conference in DC
• December 11, 1941 Germany and Italy declare war on the US. Though there wasn't any fighting between them, they were already fighting an economic war.