Pacific Theater
Battle of Wake Island
The battle of Wake island began December 8, 1941 and ended December 23, 1941. The battle occurred at the same time as the Pear Harbor attacks, and was fought between the United States and Japan in the Pacific. Wake Island (notably made of up three islands) was selected to be the location of a U.S. Navy base, and was still undergoing construction the day of Japanese attack. The strategy behind Japanese attack primarily focused upon the use air raids. On December 8, without adequate knowledge of what was to come, the United States took major losses in it’s Wildcat aircraft. On December 11 a Japanese fleet arrived to the island and faced medium resistance from the Untied States forces. Mild casualties had been inflicted upon Japanese forces up to this point (Rickard).
By December 22, backup forces from the U.S.S Saratoga were in route to Wake Island. However, as a result of slow movement, the force was ordered to return to Pearl Harbor. By December 23, a second Japanese fleet of Japanese forces came aboard the island. With Japanese forces now outnumbering U.S. resource, the United States was forced to surrender Wake island to Japan. Notably Wake Island would remain in control of the Japanese until the end of World War II. Casualties for the United States (including those killed as POWs) was estimated to be over, 1,400. Japanese casualties were estimated at 1,100 (Rickard).
By: RDO
By December 22, backup forces from the U.S.S Saratoga were in route to Wake Island. However, as a result of slow movement, the force was ordered to return to Pearl Harbor. By December 23, a second Japanese fleet of Japanese forces came aboard the island. With Japanese forces now outnumbering U.S. resource, the United States was forced to surrender Wake island to Japan. Notably Wake Island would remain in control of the Japanese until the end of World War II. Casualties for the United States (including those killed as POWs) was estimated to be over, 1,400. Japanese casualties were estimated at 1,100 (Rickard).
By: RDO
Battle of Luzon
The battle of Luzon began December 15, 1944 and concluded August 15, 1945. The battle is considered to be part of the Pacific theater, and was part of General Douglas MacArthur’s strategic plan to recapture the Philippines after it’s succession to the Japanese in 1942. Countries involved (if not already implicitly stated) include the United States, the Philippines, and Japan. Recapturing the island of Luzon would weaken Japanese access to supplies overseas, and therefore was a primary target in allied strategy. Prior to attack, U.S. forces overtook the island of Mindoro on December 15, 1944. With little resistance, the island became the primary operations base out of which the allied forces would attack Luzon (Andrade).
The primary conflict for the battle occurred on January 9, 1945 and was named “S-day”. The operation began with an initial U.S. bombardment, and over 150,000 men from the Untied States’ Sixth Army. On January 23, the U.S. met heavy resistance from the Japanese, but continued to push further into the island capital of Manila. As the allied forces approached the village, Japanese forces put up heavy resistance. However, on February 11, the last of Japanese defense was defeated and the allied forces overtook the city (Andrade).
Much of the fighting after February focused on the eradication of the remaining Japanese forces from Luzon. By April, the United States had moved up to the east coat of Luzon. By May 31, South Luzon was free of most Japanese units, and efforts moved northward. After several smaller operations, the Japanese officially surrendered the island on August 15, 1945. Overall, the allied forces won the battle of Luzon on the basis of strategy. Casualties for U.S. were estimated to be 47,000. Japanese casualties amounted to over 200,000 (Andrade).
By: RDO
The primary conflict for the battle occurred on January 9, 1945 and was named “S-day”. The operation began with an initial U.S. bombardment, and over 150,000 men from the Untied States’ Sixth Army. On January 23, the U.S. met heavy resistance from the Japanese, but continued to push further into the island capital of Manila. As the allied forces approached the village, Japanese forces put up heavy resistance. However, on February 11, the last of Japanese defense was defeated and the allied forces overtook the city (Andrade).
Much of the fighting after February focused on the eradication of the remaining Japanese forces from Luzon. By April, the United States had moved up to the east coat of Luzon. By May 31, South Luzon was free of most Japanese units, and efforts moved northward. After several smaller operations, the Japanese officially surrendered the island on August 15, 1945. Overall, the allied forces won the battle of Luzon on the basis of strategy. Casualties for U.S. were estimated to be 47,000. Japanese casualties amounted to over 200,000 (Andrade).
By: RDO
European Theatre
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a major battle occurring in Monte Casino, Italy. It was primarily fought between the United States, Great Britain, and Poland for the Allies versus Germany for the Axis. There are four different periods of fighting that eventually resulted in Allie success. The major goal of the Allied powers was to conquer the Gustav Line pushing the Axis back to the Hitler Line. This battle resulted in 185,000 casualties from both sides combined ("10 Bloodiest Battles of World War II").
The first fighting engagement occurred on January 15, 1944. The Allies put pressure on German forces. This was also partially to help with the Anzio Landings. By the end of this engagement, the French had captured Monte Belvedere for the Allies but were still far from conquering the entire line ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The next move of the Allied powers was hotly debated as it was perceived by some to be morally wrong. Since it was thought that there was a possibility of German soldiers hiding in the monastery, Winston Churchill ordered the monastery be bombed by planes. Documentation was later found that there were indeed no German forces hidden there. During this conflict which occurred on February 15 and 16, the Allies attempted attacking from the back. They captured a railroad station as a result of the attack, and came close to victory, but in the end, the effort was not enough to wipe out German troops ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The Allies persisted when they attacked for a third time on March 15th. The attack lasted four days. After bombing the area again, Allied troops advanced from both the north and south. After the fighting settled down, the Axis were still standing ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
Finally, persistence pays off with the execution of Operation Diadem. This commenced on May 11 and after attacking on all four fronts, the Allies were finally victorious by May 15 ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The battle was a huge success strategically. The Allies were then able to be successful at the Anzio Landings as well as push the Germans back to the Hitler Line, eventually conquering Rome ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
By: SJL
The first fighting engagement occurred on January 15, 1944. The Allies put pressure on German forces. This was also partially to help with the Anzio Landings. By the end of this engagement, the French had captured Monte Belvedere for the Allies but were still far from conquering the entire line ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The next move of the Allied powers was hotly debated as it was perceived by some to be morally wrong. Since it was thought that there was a possibility of German soldiers hiding in the monastery, Winston Churchill ordered the monastery be bombed by planes. Documentation was later found that there were indeed no German forces hidden there. During this conflict which occurred on February 15 and 16, the Allies attempted attacking from the back. They captured a railroad station as a result of the attack, and came close to victory, but in the end, the effort was not enough to wipe out German troops ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The Allies persisted when they attacked for a third time on March 15th. The attack lasted four days. After bombing the area again, Allied troops advanced from both the north and south. After the fighting settled down, the Axis were still standing ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
Finally, persistence pays off with the execution of Operation Diadem. This commenced on May 11 and after attacking on all four fronts, the Allies were finally victorious by May 15 ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
The battle was a huge success strategically. The Allies were then able to be successful at the Anzio Landings as well as push the Germans back to the Hitler Line, eventually conquering Rome ("World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino").
By: SJL
Battle of Britain
After most of Europe was conquered by the Germans, the only major Allie power in Europe was Great Britain. The Battle of Britain occurred between July and October of 1940. In order to make an effective attack, it was essential for the Germans to gain air superiority. The Germans were not equipped for long range strategic bombing, but fought hard coming close to victory. When German pilots accidentally and against orders bombed London, Great Britain in response sent bombers to Berlin. Hitler, overriding the authority of his commanding officers, demanded the demolition of Britain as opposed to bombing military bases elsewhere in the country. This proved to be a poor tactic and Great Britain maintained air superiority putting the invasion of Great Britain by the Germans on hold (“The Fight of the Few: Battle of Britain”).
By: SJL
By: SJL
South America
Battle of River Plate
The German cruiser Graf Spee was used to intercept Allied ships. This was harmful to Allies especially Britain as they needed supplies that were produced by the United States. When the Graf Spee fired on the British ship the Exeter, both ships and crews were badly injured. As a result of this conflict, the Graf Spee landed at the neutral port in Montevideo, Uruguay. Since the port was neutral, by law the ship was only able to stay at the port for 24 hours. After dropping off some men and the port, the ship was forced to deport. Finally by December 17, 1939, the British, tricking the Germans into believing there were more British ships coming for reinforcement than there actually were, forced the Graf Spee to be scuttled in the River Plate and the Germans surrendered (“World War II: Battle of the River Plate”).
By: SJL
By: SJL