bigpigeon.us webpage WW II - Japan > Naval War with Japan, updated by RAC 6 Feb 2020.
Pearl Harbor, attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, was headquarters of the massive American Pacific Fleet. The much-smaller Asiatic Fleet was based at Cavite near Manila in the Philippine Islands.
Japan in 1941 was a leading naval power. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was well-equipped and well-trained. However, as the war progressed and Japanese losses increased, Japan's relatively-small industrial base was unable to replace losses. By the time World War II ended, the IJN lay in ruins.
Links to my reports:
Japan in 1941 was a leading naval power. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was well-equipped and well-trained. However, as the war progressed and Japanese losses increased, Japan's relatively-small industrial base was unable to replace losses. By the time World War II ended, the IJN lay in ruins.
Links to my reports:
- My chronological report WW II Maritime Losses - The Japanese War summarizes naval combat in the War with Japan, including a list of all major American ship losses.
The Imperial Japanese Navy suffered especially grevious losses during the following battles and campaigns:
The United States also lost heavily during the naval war with Japan. However, the massive industrial base of the United States helped the United States Navy grow dramatically during World War II despite its losses. Major losses were:
- June '42 - the Battle of Midway - major Japanese loss.
- Aug '42 - Feb '43 - Solomon Islands sea battles associated with the land battle on Guadalcanal - major losses on both sides.
- Jun '44 - Battle of the Philippine Sea - overwhelming Japanese loss.
- Oct '44 - Battle of Leyte Gulf - major Japanese loss.
The United States also lost heavily during the naval war with Japan. However, the massive industrial base of the United States helped the United States Navy grow dramatically during World War II despite its losses. Major losses were:
- Dec '41 - Surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Feb-Mar '42 - Dutch East Indies sea battles resulting in destruction of much of the Allies' Asiatic fleets.
- Aug '42 - Feb '43 - Solomon Islands sea battles.
- Mar-Jun '45 - Kamikaze attacks off Okinawa.
Slide Show - Selected Maps Showing World War II Maritime Conflict in the War With Japan
Sources for the Naval War with Japan webpage
- The header image, USS Arizona - Pearl Harbor, is found at en.wikipedia.org.
- The Naval War in the Pacific map is courtesy of combinedfleet.com.
- The Naval Battles in the Solomon Sea area map is courtesy of frisian.com.
- The Iron Bound Sound map is courtesy of imhedrick.com.
- The Battle of Leyte Gulf map is found at en.wikipedia.org
- http://combinedfleet.com/battles/ - This excellent treatment summarizes in more detail the WW II naval war with Japan.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa Dead - the Naval War with Japan (updated 7 Oct '19)
The many men from Pottawattamie County who died in the Naval War with Japan are now listed in the webpages associated with the campaign or battle in which they fell.
The many men from Pottawattamie County who died in the Naval War with Japan are now listed in the webpages associated with the campaign or battle in which they fell.