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 USA Japan

colonies

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!