World War Ii - Conflic in the Pacific and East Asia

THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC AND EAST ASIA: JAPAN ON THE OFFENSIVE: 1941-42 When the nations of Western Europe became embroiled in World War II, Japan began to expand into the Southeast Asian colonies of the European powers. After the United States retaliated with economic sanctions, Japan planned a concerted attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, and other Pacific and Asian targets. For a time Japan was master of the central and western Pacific and East Asia. Japanese Expansion and U.S. Response: 1940-41 Japans invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and its subsequent full- scale assault against China in 1937 brought expressions of disapproval from the†¦show more content†¦Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbour In late 1941 more than 75 U.S. warships--including battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and auxiliaries--were based at this Gibraltar of the Pacific. All U.S. aircraft carriers were elsewhere. On November 26 a Japanese task force, consisting of 6 carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, and several destroyers and tankers under command of Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo, departed in secret from the Kuril Islands. Observing radio silence, it reached a launching point at 6 AM, December 7. At 7:50 AM, the first wave of Japanese planes struck Pearl Harbour, bombarding airfields and battleships moored at the concrete quays. A second wave followed. The surprise attack was over before 10 AM. The results were devastating; 18 U.S. ships were hit, and more than 200 aircraft destroyed or damaged. The battleship Arizona was a total wreck; the West Virginia and California were sunk; and the Nevada was heavily damaged. Approximately 2,400 Americans were killed, 1,300 wounded, and 1,000 missing. Japanese losses were fewer than 100 casualties, 29 planes, and 5 midget submarines. The Japanese scored a brilliant tactical victory, apparently crippling U.S. naval power in the Pacific. The attack was, however, a colossal political and psychological blunder, for it mobilised U.S. public opinion against the Japanese and served as the catalyst that brought the United States into the war. December 7, 1941, said President Franklin D.