Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II

The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France.

The theater included most of the Pacific Ocean and its islands, excluding the Philippines, Australia, the Netherlands East Indies, the Territory of New Guinea (including the Bismarck Archipelago) and the Solomon Islands (which were part of the Southwest Pacific area.) The Pacific Ocean theater also excluded China and mainland Southeast Asia. It takes its name from 30 March 1942[1] when it became the major Allied command in the theater, known simply as "Pacific Ocean Areas".[2]

Contents

Leaders

The Japanese Combined Fleet was led by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, until he was killed in an attack by U.S. fighter planes in April 1943.[3] Yamamoto was succeeded by Admiral Mineichi Koga (1943–44)[3] and Admiral Soemu Toyoda (1944–45).[4]

Admiral, later Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz commanded the vast majority of Allied naval forces in the Pacific Ocean during the period 1941–45. The Allied Pacific Ocean Areas (POA) command was formed in March 1942. The POA was further divided into the North, Central, and South Pacific Areas, with subordinate commanders.[5] Nimitz retained direct control of the Central Pacific Area (CENPAC).

Major campaigns and battles

Notes

  1. ^ Cressman (2000) p.84
  2. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.653
  3. ^ a b Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.717
  4. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) pp.759–760
  5. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) pp.652–653
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Silverstone (1968) pp.9–11
  7. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) pp.651–652
  8. ^ Kafka & Pepperburg (1946) p.185
  9. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.751
  10. ^ Ofstie (1946) p.194
  11. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.761
  12. ^ Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.765
  13. ^ a b Potter & Nimitz (1960) p.770
  14. ^ a b Ofstie (1946) p.275

References