Changes

After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese juggernaut seemed unstoppable.  In the south, they conquered the [[Philippines]], the oil-rich Dutch East Indies, Malaysia, and extended their reach as far as the Solomon Islands.  In the west, they seized [[Burma]] and the vital port at [[Rangoon]], and even attacked British forces at [[Ceylon]].  The Japanese empire now reached as far as [[Wake Island]] in the east and the [[Aleutian Islands]] to the north.  Attacks on Japanese targets, including the Doolittle raid, boasted American morale, but did little material damage.  In May 1942, Japanese forces were finally halted at the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]], which cost the Americans a precious [[aircraft carrier]], but saved southern [[New Guinea]].  At the [[Battle of Midway]] a month later, the Japanese lost four of their best carriers, suffering a blow to their sea power from which they never recovered.

After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese juggernaut seemed unstoppable.  In the south, they conquered the [[Philippines]], the oil-rich Dutch East Indies, Malaysia, and extended their reach as far as the Solomon Islands.  In the west, they seized [[Burma]] and the vital port at [[Rangoon]], and even attacked British forces at [[Ceylon]].  The Japanese empire now reached as far as [[Wake Island]] in the east and the [[Aleutian Islands]] to the north.  Attacks on Japanese targets, including the Doolittle raid, boasted American morale, but did little material damage.  In May 1942, Japanese forces were finally halted at the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]], which cost the Americans a precious [[aircraft carrier]], but saved southern [[New Guinea]].  At the [[Battle of Midway]] a month later, the Japanese lost four of their best carriers, suffering a blow to their sea power from which they never recovered.

The Americans took the offensive in August with a landing on the island of [[Guadalcanal]].  The overall American offensive strategy was two-pronged.  Forces in the south advanced up the Solomon island chain and New Guinea, while in the central Pacific, Marines took island after island, including Tarawa, Eniwetok, [[Saipan]], and [[Guam]].  The two lines of attack came together at the Philippines.

The Americans took the offensive in August with a landing on the island of [[Guadalcanal]].  The overall American offensive strategy was two-pronged.  Forces in the south advanced up the Solomon island chain and New Guinea, while in the central Pacific, Marines took island after island, including [[Battle of Tarawa|Tarawa]], Eniwetok, [[Saipan]], and [[Guam]].  The two lines of attack came together at the Philippines.

Integral to the strategy was the policy of island hopping.  Many Japanese strongholds were bypassed, allowing the American forces to concentrate on more strategically significant islands.  For example, Truk and Rabaul were home to major Japanese air and naval bases, but once the bases were neutralized, there was no reason to take on the troops there.  This policy not only saved thousands of American (and Japanese) lives, it shortened the war by at least several months.

Integral to the strategy was the policy of island hopping.  Many Japanese strongholds were bypassed, allowing the American forces to concentrate on more strategically significant islands.  For example, Truk and Rabaul were home to major Japanese air and naval bases, but once the bases were neutralized, there was no reason to take on the troops there.  This policy not only saved thousands of American (and Japanese) lives, it shortened the war by at least several months.