While Europe burned, a second great theatre of the war opened in the Asia-Pacific, driven by Japan's ambition to build an empire across Asia.
Japan strikes
Japan opened the Pacific war with a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941 (8 December by Malayan time, across the international date line). Almost at the same time, Japanese forces struck across Southeast Asia. They landed in Malaya at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on 8 December 1941, and swept southward with startling speed. The British stronghold of Singapore fell on 15 February 1942, one of Britain's worst military defeats.
Key idea / 要点
The Pacific war began with the attack on Pearl Harbor (7 December 1941); Japan invaded Malaya at Kota Bharu (8 December 1941) and captured Singapore (15 February 1942).
The tide turns
Japan conquered a vast area, including the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies and Burma. But the entry of the United States shifted the balance. The Battle of Midway in 1942 is widely seen as the turning point, after which the Allies pushed Japan back island by island. The Pacific war ended after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japan's surrender on 15 August 1945.
Remember / 记住
- Pearl Harbor attacked 7 December 1941.
- Japan landed at Kota Bharu, 8 December 1941; Singapore fell 15 February 1942.
- Turning point: Battle of Midway, 1942.