THE PACIFIC WAR FROM PEARL HARBOR TO GUADALCANAL©

Text and Web-site by James Bowen.
Convener, Pacific War Historical Society

The Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor occurred when Japan and the United States were at peace and while Japanese and American diplomats were discussing diplomatic solutions to the problems that had arisen between the two countries. In this picture the battleship USS West Virginia is resting on the bottom of Pearl Harbor after Japanese air-launched torpedoes have ripped open the ship's hull.

For my wife Dianne

Who has patiently and cheerfully endured the substantial drain on our finances, the lost holidays over ten years, and the thousands of hours expended on research, writing this history, and the creation of this complex web-site. I graduated in Far Eastern history with a special focus on Japanese history that did not extend past the first World War. When I turned to the Pacific War in 1995, it required a massive learning curve and extensive reading. Our fathers had both served in the Pacific War, and we did not begrudge the time and money required by a project that we firmly believed was justified to acquaint young Americans and Australians with the sacrifices made by those who defended their countries from Japanese miltary attack in 1942.

© "THE PACIFIC WAR FROM PEARL HARBOR TO GUADALCANAL " BY JAMES BOWEN IS COPYRIGHT.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all material on this web-site is copyright to James Bowen, and all rights are reserved. The copyright in paintings remains with the artists who gave permission for their display on this web-site. The copyright in eyewitness stories remains with the veterans who provided those stories to the Pacific War Web-site (or their families). Subject to the foregoing, the author of this web-site will permit use of not more than 300 words of his text provided that the source is acknowledged. Any institution or person wishing to use more than 300 words of the author's text for any purpose must contact the author at the address below. Unless otherwise indicated, all maps have been produced by the author and their source from this web-site must be acknowledged.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS WEB-SITE

INDEX TO THE PACIFIC WAR 1941- 1943

The Pacific War Web-site was established May 2001 and last updated 5 October 2009.

Note: For the convenience of visitors to this web-site who may wish to pursue further historical research
on the World-Wide Web, the powerful "Google" search engine has been placed below this INDEX.

ABOUT THE PACIFIC WAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THIS WEB-SITE

PACIFIC WAR MAPS (recommended screen resolution about 800 by 600 pixels)

• Japanese military aggression 1910-42
• The Battle of Midway

PART 1 - THE GATHERING PACIFIC STORM 1941 - 1942

Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941

Japan attacks Malaya, British Borneo, & the Dutch East Indies (Text being written)

Japan attacks Guam and Wake Island (Text being written)

Japan attacks the Philippines

PART 2 - THE BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA BEGINS, 23 JANUARY 1942

What was the Battle for Australia 1942-43?

Australia under threat from Japan

Japanese aggression exposes the inadequacy of Australia's defences

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill betrays Australia at the Arcadia Conference

Japan's navy and army leaders debate Australia's fate

Japan invades the Australian Territory of New Guinea

MacArthur-a flawed general takes command of Australia's defence

Japanese attacks on the Australian mainland

PART 3 - AMERICA FIGHTS BACK

Bold American carrier raids derail Japan's invasion timetables and strategic priorities

PART 4 - THE AMERICAN AND JAPANESE NAVAL AIR SERVICES

The American and Japanese naval air services compared

PART 5 - THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA - MAY 1942

The Battle of the Coral Sea - Japan's first attempt to isolate Australia from the United States

PART 6 - THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY - JUNE 1942

The Battle of Midway - Turning point of the Pacific War

PART 6A - THE FIGHTING YORKTOWN (CV-5)

A short illustrated history of the aircraft carrier that played a vital role in defeating Japan

PART 7 - THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN - JULY 1942 to JANUARY 1943

The Kokoda Campaign -Japan's second attempt to isolate Australia from the United States

PART 8 - THE BATTLE FOR GUADALCANAL - 7 AUGUST 1942 TO 7 FEBRUARY 1943

Guadalcanal - Japan's third attempt to isolate Australia from the United States

JAPANESE WAR CRIMES 1937-1945

Atrocities of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy and the long history of denial

HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF JAPAN'S MILITARY AGGRESSION

How deeply ingrained militarism, aggressive nationalism, and a denial of genuine democracy laid the foundations for Japan's military aggression

WORLD WAR II ISSUES

Was the atomic bombing of Japan justifiable?

Where does the Battle of the Atlantic rank in the pivotal battles of World War II?

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE PACIFIC WAR 1941-1945

Imperial Japan's Path to World War II:

• Index

Nazi Germany's Path to World War II:

• Index

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LINKS FOR THE HISTORY ENTHUSIAST

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DISCLAIMER

This web-site includes references to historical source material. That source material includes other web-sites, printed publications, films and video material related to aspects of the Pacific War between 1941 and 1943. Reference to those sources does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Pacific War Historical Society or James Bowen of the material contained in those sources or views expressed in those sources.