Battle Of Midway

Battle of Midway

Japan Review

•  Invades Manchuria •  Invasion of China o  Rape of Nanking

•  US loses Philippine islands •  Desire to expand empire into the Pacific and gain natural resources for its island.

Fleet Strength in the Pacific Just Prior to Pearl Harbor Britain and its colonies

USA

Japan

Battleships

2

9

10

Aircraft carriers

1 being repaired

3

10

Heavy cruisers

1

13

18

Light cruisers

7

11

18

Destroyers

13

80

113

Submarines

0

56

63

Impact of Pearl Harbor •  3 US carriers escape unharmed. o  They were out at sea during attack. o  This is VERY important!

•  19 ships total either damaged or destroyed •  Battleships o  2 destroyed o  6 damaged

Battle of the Coral Sea •  May 4-8, 1942

•  Fought between US and Japan •  Japan wants to invade New Guinea •  1st complete air craft carrier battle •  Importance:

o  Japan losses weaken them for upcoming battle at Midway.

Battle of Midway •  June 4, 1942 •  Japan’s Goal: o  Destroy US air craft carrier fleet o  Seize Midway Island so they can launch attacks on Hawaii

•  US Goal: o  Defend Midway o  Defeat Japanese

•  Japan total strength outnumbers US 2 to 1

Outcome •  Decisive American victory! •  4 Japanese carriers sunk o  US loses only 1

•  US now goes on offensive in the Pacific!