Chapter I: Front Matter

_UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II_

Pictorial Record

Second Edition

THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY

UNITED STATES ARMY

WASHINGTON, D.C., 2006

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hunter, Kenneth E.
The war against Japan.--2d ed.
p. cm.--(United States Army in World War II. Pictorial record)
“The text was written and the photographs compiled by
Capt. Kenneth E. Hunter and Miss Margaret E. Tackley” Foreword.
Includes index.
1. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Pictorial works.
2. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean--Pictorial works.
3. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area--Pictorial works.
I. Tackley, Margaret E. II. Center of Military History. III.
Title. IV. Series.

D767.H85 2006
940.53’52 dc22

2006014728

First Printed 1952--CMH Pub 12-1

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800;
DC area (202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402-0001

ISBN 0-16-076546-3

Foreword

To the Second Edition

This collection of 500-plus pictures dramatically enhances the written record of World War II in the Pacific Theater. The images freeze in place the soldiers, the weapons, the operations, the geography, and the tenor of the moment. Maj. Gen. Orlando Ward’s foreword to the first edition (_see next page_) describes this visual dimension as essential to fully understanding military history. _The War Against Japan_ was one of the first volumes in the United States Army in World War II series, and it has stood the test of time. The book has also served as a useful resource for anyone seeking to illustrate this stage of the war.

Although this second edition keeps all the original photographs, captions, and short narrative historical introductions in each section, the Center of Military History has taken several steps to improve the appearance, currency, and utility of the book. New prints of all existing photographs ensure their clarity, replacing the old printing negatives with greatly improved examples. The Center staff also removed outdated references and developed an appendix that provides more detailed information on sources and photograph cataloging numbers. I hope this information will further assist those involved in research or seeking to obtain their own prints.

In visually documenting the World War II experience, this volume has proven to be an invaluable collection. By publishing this upgraded edition, the Center hopes to revive and expand the book’s effectiveness in promoting an awareness of the determination, courage, and sacrifices of the American soldier in World War II.

Washington, D.C. JEFFREY J. CLARKE
15 May 2006 Chief of Military History

Foreword

During World War II the photographers of the United States armed forces created on film a pictorial record of immeasurable value. Thousands of pictures are preserved in the photographic libraries of the armed services but are little seen by the public.

In the narrative volumes of UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II, now being prepared by the Office of the Chief of Military History of the United States Army, it is possible to include only a limited number of pictures. Therefore, a subseries of pictorial volumes, of which this is the last, has been planned to supplement the other volumes of the series. The photographs have been especially selected to show important terrain features, types of equipment and weapons, living and weather conditions, military operations, and matters of human interest. These volumes will preserve and make accessible for future reference some of the best pictures of World War II. An appreciation not only of the terrain upon which actions were fought, but also of its influence on the capabilities and limitations of weapons in the hands of both our troops and those of the enemy, can be gained through a careful study of the pictures herein presented. These factors are essential to a clear understanding of military history.

The text was written and the photographs compiled by Capt. Kenneth E. Hunter and Miss Margaret E. Tackley; the volume was edited by Miss Mary Ann Bacon. The book deals with the Pacific Theater of Operations and is divided into six sections: (1) The Allied Defensive; (2) The Strategic Defensive and Tactical Offensive; (3) The Offensive--1944; (4) The Final Phase; (5) The China-Burma-India Theater; and (6) The Collapse of Japan and the End of the War in the Pacific. Each section is arranged in chronological order. All dates used are local dates, and it should be remembered that all dates west of the International Date Line are one day ahead of those east of the line. For example, 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor is the same day as 8 December 1941 in the Philippines. The written text has been kept to a minimum. Each section is preceded by a brief introduction recounting the major events which are set down in detail in the individual narrative volumes of UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II. The appendixes give information as to the abbreviations used and the sources of the photographs.

Washington, D.C. ORLANDO WARD
3 January 1952 Maj. Gen., USA
Chief of Military History

United States Army in World War II

_Advisory Committee_

(As of May 2006)

Jon T. Sumida
University of Maryland

Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan
U.S. Military Academy

Lt. Gen. Anthony R. Jones
U.S. Army Training and
Doctrine Command

Adrian R. Lewis
University of North Texas

Brian M. Linn
Texas A&M University

Howard Lowell
National Archives and Records Administration

Col. Craig Madden
U.S. Army War College

Joyce E. Morrow
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Army

Ronald H. Spector
The George Washington University

Brig. Gen. Volney Warner
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

_U.S. Army Center of Military History_

Jeffrey J. Clark, Chief of Military History

Chief, Histories Division Richard W. Stewart
Editor in Chief Keith R. Tidman

Contents

_Section_ _Page_

I. THE ALLIED DEFENSIVE 2

II. THE STRATEGIC DEFENSIVE AND
TACTICAL OFFENSIVE 76

III. THE OFFENSIVE--1944 213

IV. THE FINAL PHASE 328

V. THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER 412

VI. THE COLLAPSE OF JAPAN AND THE END OF
THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC 443

APPENDIX A: LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 463