Pacific (part 3)Pacific (part 3)

KamikazeKamikaze

Japanese suicide bombersJapanese suicide bombers““divine wind”divine wind”Deliberately crashed planes into Deliberately crashed planes into

enemy shipsenemy shipsLoaded with bombs, only enough gas Loaded with bombs, only enough gas

to reach targetto reach targetSeen as an honor!! (only for the best)Seen as an honor!! (only for the best)

Prior to attackPrior to attack

USS Bunker Hill hit by 2 USS Bunker Hill hit by 2 kamikaze in one minutekamikaze in one minute

Kamikaze pilot Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa, who damaged the carrier USS Kamikaze pilot Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa, who damaged the carrier USS

Bunker HillBunker Hill during Operation Kikusui No. 6 on May during Operation Kikusui No. 6 on May

Dive bomber after EssexDive bomber after Essex

EssexEssex

USS White Plains; near miss!USS White Plains; near miss!

Recapturing the PhilippinesRecapturing the Philippines

Battle of Leyte Gulf- Battle of Leyte Gulf- 160,000 troops 160,000 troops invade Filipino Island of Leyteinvade Filipino Island of LeyteMacArthur returnsMacArthur returnsGreatest naval battle ever- 280 shipsGreatest naval battle ever- 280 ships

Japanese use almost every remaining Japanese use almost every remaining battleship (including 4 more battleship (including 4 more carriers!)carriers!)

80,000 Japanese defenders killed in 80,000 Japanese defenders killed in defeat of Leyte (less than 1,000 defeat of Leyte (less than 1,000 POW!)POW!)

Next dayNext day

Peleliu- 1944 (controversial Peleliu- 1944 (controversial battle)battle)

Iwo JimaIwo Jima

Volcanic island 700 miles from JapanVolcanic island 700 miles from JapanNovember, 1944 to Feb, 1945November, 1944 to Feb, 1945110,000 Americans vs 25,000 110,000 Americans vs 25,000

Japanese (only 216 POWs taken!)Japanese (only 216 POWs taken!)Bombers could now fly to JapanBombers could now fly to Japan

(becomes predominantly land battle)(becomes predominantly land battle)

37 mm vs cave positions on Iwo 37 mm vs cave positions on Iwo JimaJima

OkinawaOkinawa

April to June, 1945April to June, 1945350 miles from Japan350 miles from Japan Japan did not challenge beach Japan did not challenge beach

landing (mistake?)landing (mistake?)Kamikaze and “banzai” attacks Kamikaze and “banzai” attacks

(charge designed to kill as many as (charge designed to kill as many as possible before dying)possible before dying)

50,000 American casualties50,000 American casualties

Marines entering beach headMarines entering beach head