The Asia-Pacific War

On December 7, 1941, Japan bombs the U.S. Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii, without warning. Shortly afterwards, Japan declares war on the United States. A few hours later, Japanese bombers attack the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guam and the Wake Islands. Japanese troops invade Thailand and British Malaysia.

That same day, Canada and Australia declare war on Japan. The next day, the United States, Britain, New Zealand and the Netherlands also declare war on Japan. China and Japan have been at war since 1937, but only now does an official declaration of war come from China. World War II - now spans across the whole world. One of the reasons for Japan's attacks is that they need raw materials, especially oil, to continue their war against China.

Oil is plentiful in Southeast Asia, but it is controlled by the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. And they have stopped all oil exports to Japan. Japan reckons that Britain and the Netherlands, which are in the midst of a burning war in Europe, will be unable to defend their oil-rich colonies. But there is a problem, the Philippines. The Philippines is controlled by the United States and is strategically important.

If Japan tries to conquer the oil wells, the US Navy will likely defend them. Therefore, the fleet must be eliminated. The Japanese therefore bombed Pearl Harbor, where the American aircraft carriers were supposed to be, according to the Japanese intelligence service. However, the United States' 3 large aircraft carriers were not there, they were out at sea and they will cause problems for the Japanese later on. On the other hand, the Japanese are right about the British and Dutch colonies.

The British colonies of Burma, Malaysia and the Dutch colonies on the islands of Dutch East India are quickly conquered. The Pacific island of Guam, controlled by the United States, is captured after a day of fighting. Thailand is also invaded and the country soon switches to the Japanese side and declares war on the United States and Great Britain. In the Philippines, Japanese invading forces encounter strong resistance, but they soon succeed in capturing the capital Manila. The British colonies of Hong Kong and Singapore are forced to surrender.

Churchill describes the surrender, the capitulation, of Singapore as "the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history". After six months of fierce fighting, the Americans in the Philippines are defeated. 60,000 Filipinos and 20,000 Americans are captured. Few will survive. It's one of America's greatest war defeats.

The commander of the US forces in Southeast and East Asia, General Douglas MacArthur, is ordered to leave the Philippines. He escapes to Australia and famously promises: "I came through and I shall return" to the Philippines. In May 1942, shortly after the conquest of the Philippines, the Japanese want to further strengthen their power. They plan to conquer the eastern part of the island of New Guinea, which is governed by Australia. If they control New Guinea, it will be difficult for the United States to get supplies and personnel from Australia.

The Japanese aim for the strategically located port city of Port Moresby. On the way to Port Moresby, in the Coral Sea, Japanese aircraft carriers meet American aircraft carriers for the first time. But, the battle will be the first at sea where the ships involved do not fight each other. Instead, all combat takes place from fighter aircraft. The United States loses the most ships, but wins the battle.

It is the first time since the bombing of Pearl Harbor that the Allies have managed to stop a Japanese offensive. The Battle of Coral Sea becomes an important turning point in the Asia-Pacific War.