WW2 Pacific Final Exam
Kyushu
The southernmost island of Japan
Douglas MacArthur
(1880-1964), U.S. general. Commander of U.S. (later Allied) forces in the southwestern Pacific during World War II, he accepted Japan's surrender in 1945 and administered the ensuing Allied occupation.
Mao Zedong
(1893-1976) Leader of the Communist Party in China that overthrew Jiang Jieshi and the Nationalists. Established China as the People's Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976.
Claire Chennault
American General who led the flying tigers against Japan in China
August 6
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
Manila
Capital of Philippines
Hiroshima
City in Japan, the first to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, on August 6, 1945. The bombing hastened the end of World War II.
Manhattan Project
Code name for the U.S. effort during World War II to produce the atomic bomb. Much of the early research was done in New York City by refugee physicists in the United States.
Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941 - Surprise attack by the Japanese on the main U.S. Pacific Fleet harbored in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii destroyed 18 U.S. ships and 200 aircraft. American losses were 3000, Japanese losses less than 100. In response, the U.S. declared war on Japan and Germany, entering World War II.
Ultra nationalists
Excessive devotion to ones nation and ones interest. ( Japan, Germany)
Manchukuo
In 1932 Japan established this puppet state in their conquered territories of Manchuria. In 1933 the League of Nations reprimanded Japan, and so the nation withdrew from the organization, which was at the same time as Germany withdrawing as well
Guam
In July 1944, US forces retook the island of Guam after weeks of fierce fighting, leading to over 7,000 American casualties and over 18,000 Japanese killed. It was took over by the imperial Japanese in 194.
Nagasaki
Japanese city in which the second atomic bomb was dropped (August 9, 1945).
Leyte
Largest naval battle of World War II; Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force; first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks
Tinian
Late July 1945; B29 heavy bombers land here; plane crews have no idea what they are doing; where they trained for dropping the atomic bomb. battle in the south pacific, Japanese were defeated
Doolittle Raid
Lt. Colonel Doolittle's psychological point was to bomb Tokyo and several other Japanese cities. This did little damage. It was an important psychological point for both Americans and Japanese: Japan was vulnerable to attack. It was the first mainland bombing in Japan, it did little damage but boosted American morale.
USS Arizona
Name of battle ship destroyed and now memorialized at Pearl Harbor.
San Diego
Navy Town. Early in the war San Diego was chosen as the new headquarters of the Pacific Fleet after the headquarters left Honolulu.
Hokkaido
Northernmost island of Japan
Day of Infamy
On December 7, 1941 (day of Pearl Harbor) President Roosevelt said that it was a _____.
USS Missouri
On September 2, 1945, the Japanese emperor formally surrendered on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor
Dysentery
Severe diarrhea
USS Indianapolis
Ship that delivered the bomb and was sunk by a sub.
Shikoku
Smallest island in Japan
The Battle of the Coral Sea
The Japanese onrush was finally checked by American and Australian forces in the world's 1st naval battle where the ships never saw one another (they fought with aircraft via carriers).
The Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands were made up of the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and much to the soreness of the American military, the island of Guam. Admiral Chester Nimitz had long waited to launch his Operation Forager to reclaim Guam and defeat the Japanese garrison at these islands. From the airfields at the Mariana Islands, future operations against the Philippine Islands, Taiwan, and even the Japanese home islands would be supported from the skies.
Honshu
The largest island of Japan
Midway Island
The last American base in the north Pacific west of Hawaii. Which was attacked by the Japanese known as "The Battle of Midway". Huge turning point in the war due to crushing blow dealt to the Japanese Navy after trying to ambush awaiting US Navy. Due to a American's break of Japanese Navy secret code.
Hideki Tojo
This general was premier of Japan during World War II while this man was dictator of the country. He gave his approval for the attack on Pearl Harbor and played a major role in Japan's military decisions until he resigned in 1944. Prime Minister
Saipan
Thousands of Civilians were ordered to sacrifice themselves in order for the Glory of the Japanese emperor
Sullivan brothers
Tragic story of five brothers who died during war on the same boat; changed lives so siblings cannot serve together
Guam
US territory
September 2, 1945
V-J Day
banzai
War cry for Japanese troops
Hong Kong
What city is a major seaport and international trade center in China?
Nanking
When Japan invaded China they destroyed the city and raped people.
I shall return
When MacArthur left Bataan, he declared, "___." He fulfilled his promise when he returned to the Philippines with a large American force 2 1/2 years later in the fall of 1944.
December 8, 1941
When US declared war on Japan
Bataan peninsula
When the Japanese attacked the Philippines, American and Filipino forces retreated to this region of the island.
Westernization
adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture
Industrialization
development of industries for the machine production of goods
Shanghai
largest city in China
Dengue Fever
mosquito, virus
John Basilone
only living Marine to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "Valor above and beyond the call of duty" on Guadalcanal; buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Bougainville
the largest of the solomon islands and the nearest to the japanese air and naval complex
Great Depression
(HH) , starting with collapse of the US stock market in 1929, period of worldwide economic stagnation and depression. Heavy borrowing by European nations from USA during WW1 contributed to instability in European economies. Sharp declines in income and production as buying and selling slowed down. Widespread unemployment, countries raised tariffs to protect their industries. America stopped investing in Europe. Lead to loss of confidence that economies were self adjusting, HH was blamed for it
Harry Truman
33rd President of the United States. Led the U.S. to victory in WWII making the ultimate decision to use atomic weapons for the first time. Shaped U.S. foreign policy regarding the Soviet Union after the war.
Burma road
700 mile long passage through the mountains built by great britain used to send supplies to the chinese during the war against japan
Colonel James Doolittle
A U.S. Army general best known for leading the famous "Doolittle Raid" in 1942, in which B-25 bombers were launched from an aircraft carrier to bomb Japan and then crash-landed in China.
Malaria
A disease caused by mosquitoes implanting parasites in the blood.
Manchuria
A northern industrial province in China, invaded by the Japanese in 1931. From here the Japanese would launch an invasion of mainland China beginning in 1937.
Imperialism
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically.
Militarism
A policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always prepared for war
Battle of Guadalcanal
A six month battle taken place in Guadalcanal where U.S. were attempting to invade their airfield. These battles lead to savage risks on both land/sea. After Japan lost more than 24,00 forces of 36,000 soldiers, they abandoned the island and dubbed it "Island of Death."
Rape of Nanking
A six-week period after Japan's capture of Nanjing—former capital of the Republic of China—in 1937, during which hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered and 20,000-80,000 women were raped by soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army
Admiral William Halsey
Admiral of US fleet in Pacific in WWII Allied leader who fought for control of the Solomon islands in the South Pacific
USS Panay
An American ship stationed in China to protect American citizens and trade. The ship was bombed by Japanese planes when if launched a full-scale invasion of China killing 3 Americans, The Japanese government said that the bombings were a mistake and apologized, offering $2 million as compensation.
Population boom
An increase in the number of people in the world caused by better medical care, increased food supplies, and decreasing death rates.
Young Officers
An uprising was staged by young Japanese military officers. The mutineers managed to assassinate Japanese finance minister Takahasi Korekiyo. The officers held Tokyo for three days; but the rebellion was ultimately put down, and seventeen of the rebel leaders were sentenced to death. Marco Polo
Emperor Hirohito
At the start of his reign, Japan was still a fairly rural country with a limited industrial base. Japan's militarization of in the 1930's eventually led to Japan's invasion in China and involvement in WW2. Japanese emperor during WWII
August 9
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
June 4-6 ,1942
Battle of Midway
Burma
Burma played a significant part in World War Two for the British Army.During World War II, Burma was a key battleground; the 800-mile Burma Road was the Allies' vital supply line to China. The Japanese invaded the country in Dec. 1941, and by May 1942, had occupied most of it, cutting off the Burma Road. After one of the most difficult campaigns of the war, Allied forces liberated most of Burma prior to the Japanese surrender in Aug. 1945.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Chief Japanese admiral during World War II; masterminded the Pearl Harbor attack
Chiang Kai Shek
Chinese political and military leader for the republic of China. Determined to snatch power of the warlords and reunite China.
The Solomon Islands
For the next year, the United States engaged Japan in a protracted struggle for the Solomon Islands, which lay near vital Allied shipping routes. Between August 1942 and February 1943, Allied forces carried out an invasion on the island of Guadalcanal—the beginning of a long series of Allied offensives that would eventually force the Japanese out of the Solomons and then pursue them from various other Pacific island chains that the Japanese had earlier seized.
Kamikaze
Japanese suicide pilots who loaded their planes with explosives and crashed them into American ships.
Philippines
Japan attacked here right after Pearl HarborThe Philippine defense continued until the final surrender of United States-Philippine forces on the Bataan Peninsula in April 1942 and on Corregidor in May. Most of the 80,000 prisoners of war captured by the Japanese at Bataan were forced to undertake the infamous "Death March" to a prison camp 105 kilometers to the north. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 men.
Wake Island
Japan attacked on December 7, 1941, but American marines held them off until island fell on December 23rd and 1,600 Americans surrendered and became POWs. Referred to as "The Alamo of Pacific" in honor of heroic defense.
Imported Raw Materials
Japan was known as the world's workshop in the year's after world war 2 because
Rabaul
Japanese base on Papau New Guinea. The Allies took heavy losses there in 1942 and considered re-attacking in 1943, but ended up only bombing the island. Japan used Rabaul as a base from which to proceed into New Guinea and Port Moresby. However, the bombing was especially destructive and Japanese forces had to leave Rabaul. MacArthur is credited with making a cautious, strategic decision to not invade, which most certainly would have cost many American lives.
Bataan Death March
Japanese forced about 60,000 of americans and philippines to march 100 miles with little food and water, most died or were killed on the way
Iwo Jima
One of the Bloodiest battles in the war, a fight to the death for Japanese soldiers, as the Americans were coming closer to Japan a bloody and prolonged operation on the island of Iwo Jima in which American marines landed and defeated Japanese defenders (February and March 1945)
Peleliu
Pacific War island campaign cost the U.S. Marines the highest combat casualty rate (40 percent) of any amphibious assault in American history Using the island's caves and concealed bunkers, they made the US use flamethrowers, and bulldozers to kill them, if necessary by burying them; What should have been a week-long campaign was 2 months
Okinawa
THE LAST OFFENSIVE BATTLE OF WWII. April-June 1945; America vs. Japanese on a Pacific Island that could act as a staging area for assaults on Japan ---> Japanese fought hard to protect it; Americans killed 110,000 Japanese while only 7,000 Americans died; Japanese pilots flew kamikaze missions ---> scared the U.S. as it showed "unrelenting fanaticism"
Thailand
Thailand allied with Japan during WWII. The Japanese Empire pressured the Thai government to allow passage for the Japanese troops to invade British-held Malaya and Burma.The agreement, revised on 30 December gave the Japanese full access to Thai weapon equipment and to Thai railways, roads, airfields, naval bases, warehouses, communications systems and barracks.
China Burma India
The Allies' aim in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater of World War II was to supply and buttress Chinese armies in their struggle against a massive Japanese incursion. The enemy's seizure of China's seaports had severed its traditional supply lines. Accordingly, the Allies transported equipment, men and supplies to China through Burma by building roads and pipelines, and India by flying the "Hump" route over the Himalayas. In addition, the Allies aided China in the Japanese attack by conducting ground and air offensives
The Gilbert Islands
The Battle of Tarawa occurred on the Gilbert IslandsIn the Battle of Tarawa (November 20-23, 1943) during World War II (1939-45), the U.S. began its Central Pacific Campaign against Japan by seizing the heavily fortified, Japanese-held island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The 18,000 U.S. Marines sent to tiny Betio were expected to easily secure it; however, problems quickly arose. Low tides prevented some U.S. landing crafts from clearing the coral reefs that ringed the island. Japanese coastal guns pounded the snagged vessels and desperate Marines gave up on freeing the boats and instead waded toward shore-hundreds of yards away- through chest-deep water amidst enemy fire. Despite heavy resistance from the 4,500 Japanese troops dug in on Betio, the Marines finally took the island after a bloody, 76-hour battle in which both sides suffered heavy casualties.
Malaya
The Japanese attack on Malaya started on December 8th 1941 and ended with the surrender of British forces at Singapore. Malaya was a major prize for the Japanese as it produced 38% of the world's rubber and 58% of the world's tin. The capture of Singapore would provide Japan with a highly valuable military base in the region and it would also greatly undermine British authority in the region. The Japanese commander for the attack on Malaya was General Yamashita.
New Guinea
The New Guinea campaign of the Pacific War lasted from January 1942 until the end of the war in August 1945. During the initial phase in early 1942, the Empire of Japan invaded the Australian-administered territories of the New Guinea Mandate (23 January) and Papua (8 March) and overran western New Guinea (beginning 29/30 March), which was a part of the Netherlands East Indies. During the second phase, lasting from late 1942 until the Japanese surrender, the Allies cleared the Japanese first from Papua, then the Mandate and finally from the Dutch colony.97% of Japanese deaths in this campaign were from non-combat causes.
Bushido Code
The code of behaviour of the Japanese samurai: Honour, loyalty, good living, thrift and Martial arts skill.The code was based on honour, loyalty, respect and discipline.The code included many rules such as: if failing in battle you must piece your stomach with your sword. You might have to do this if you get captured, dishonored.
USS Juneau
The ship the Sullivan brothers were on
Admiral Chester Nimitz
U.S. Admiral during WWII, the commander of American naval forces in the Pacific. United States admiral of the Pacific fleet during World War II who used aircraft carriers to destroy the Japanese navy (1885-1966)
Joseph Stillwell
U.S. General known for service in China, Burma India stage of the war. Worked with Chaing Kai-shek.
Battleship Row
U.S. naval battleships in Pearl Harbor; ships include Oklahoma, Maryland, W. Virginia, Tennessee, Vestal, Arizona, Nevada; all these are either sunk or severely damaged by Japanese bombs.
Battle of Midway
U.S. naval victory over the Japanese fleet in June 1942, in which the Japanese lost four of their best aircraft carriers. It marked a turning point in World War II.
B-29
a high range bomber plane introduced by the U.S. in 1944 against Japan; higher range bomber than had ever been flown before, which allowed it to fly above the range of enemy fighters and anti-craft weapons
Mount Suribachi
after successfully capturing the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, American troops planted US flag here
Eugene Sledge
average marine. kept a record of all he was doing. fell into wrong hands would be screwed.
Lt. Commander Fuchida
commander of the squadron of Japanese planes that bombed pearl harbor
Luzon
largest island in the Philippines (in the north) First Japanese ground forces landed on PhilippinesThe Battle of Luzon was fought on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines and pitted the Allied forces under General Douglas MacArthur against a large Japanese force under Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita. Because of the vital nature of the Philippines as a key route to sources of rubber and oil as well as the proximity of the islands to Japan, the Japanese High Command had reinforced the islands with a total of 430,000 troops distributed across the islands, 260,000 of which were on Luzon. The destruction of much of the Japanese carrier fleet earlier in June 1944 at the battle of the Philippine Sea and the subsequent loss of the remaining surface fleet in October at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, with the additional destruction of Japanese air power, left the defense of the Philippines in the hands of ground based forces.
Enola Gay
the name of the American B-29 bomber, piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets, Jr., that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945.
Corregidor
the peninsula and island in the Philippines where Japanese forces besieged American forces in World War II. Surrendered on May 6, 1942, giving the Japanese complete control of the Philippines.
Guadalcanal
this WWII Pacific battle was one of the most famous of all those fought in the Pacific theater, as it was the first major offensive--and crushing victory--of the allied forces against the Empire of Japan.
Tarawa
this was the WWII battle fought in the Pacific theater which was the first American offensive in the critical central-Pacific region. It also marked the first time in the war that the U.S. faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing, as previous amphibious landings had been met with little or no initial resistance. The well-supplied and well-prepared Japanese troops exacted a heavy toll on the U.S. troops.
Hiroo Onoda
was an Imperial Japanese Army intelligence officer who fought in World War II and did not surrender in 1945. In 1974, his former commander traveled from Japan to personally issue orders relieving him from duty. had spent almost 30 years holding out in the Philippines.
