Courses of WW2 in the Pacific and Europe

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29 Terms

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Pacific War

This conflict was fought between the Allies (mainly the USA, Australia, and Britain) and Japan. It began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

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Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

This event occurred on December 7, 1941, marking the start of the Pacific War.

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Early Japanese Expansion

After Pearl Harbor, Japan rapidly invaded many countries in Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines, Malaya, and parts of New Guinea

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Direct Threat to Australia

Australia was directly threatened by Japanese air raids, especially the bombing of Darwin in February 1942 and Japanese takes Singapore, 25 december 1942

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Key Battles in the Pacific (1942-43)

Important battles included the Battle of Midway (1942), the Kokoda Track campaign (1942),

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Kokoda Campaign

This was a crucial campaign fought in New Guinea, likely during 1942–43, involving Australian troops. It was vital in defending Australia from Japanese advancement through Papua New Guinea

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Treatment of Allied Prisoners of War (POWs) by Japan

POWs captured by the Japanese were often treated brutally and forced into hard labour, including on the Burma–Thailand Railway. Japanese forces massacred some, provided very little food or medical help, and denied communication with families. The Japanese government had signed the 1929 Third Geneva Convention but did not ratify or observe its requirements

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Burma–Thailand Railway

Prisoners working on this railway faced extremely harsh conditions, including forced labour, tropical diseases, beatings, and starvation. They worked long hours with little rest or medical care. This treatment violated the Geneva Convention’s rules

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Sandakan Death March

his is considered the worst atrocity against Australian POWs due to its brutality and high death toll. Over 2,400 Australian and British prisoners were forced to march through the jungle in extreme heat, with little food or water; only six Australians survived by escaping

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End of the Pacific War

The war ended with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945

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Japanese Surrender

Japan formally surrendered on 2 September 1945 aboard the USS Missouri.

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Australia-United States Alliance

The Pacific War forged a strong alliance between Australia and the United States, symbolised by interactions like General Douglas MacArthur speaking to Australian troops in New Guinea. This alliance became a legacy of World War II, as Australians trusted the US for defence after Britain's failure to defend Singapore.

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Australia’s Entry into World War II (Europe)

Australia declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, soon after Germany invaded Poland. Australia joined because it was a close ally of Britain and wanted to stop Hitler’s aggression.

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Why Australia Joined the War in Europe

Australia joined to defend democracy and protect innocent people from Nazi violence and expansion. It was part of a team effort with other Allied countries to stop the Axis powers.

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Australian Forces in Europe and North Africa

The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was made up of volunteers who fought in Europe and North Africa. Reg Saunders, the first Aboriginal Australian officer, served with distinction. Australian nurses also served in many war zones, including Greece, sometimes choosing to stay with wounded soldiers even if it meant being captured.

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How Australian POWs Were Treated in Europe

Australian prisoners captured by Germany and Italy were treated better than those captured by Japan. They could send some mail home, got basic medical care, and their capture was reported to the Allies. This was very different from the harsh and cruel treatment by the Japanese.

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Pacific theatres: Battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942)- turning point

U.S. and Australian navies fought Japan to stop their attempt to take Port Moresby. First naval battle fought entirely by aircraft. It stopped Japan from moving south and protected Australia.

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Pacific theatre: Battle of Midway (June 1942)- turning point

U.S. used codebreaking to sink 4 Japanese aircraft carriers. It ended Japanese naval dominance in the Pacific and allowed the Allies to move onto the offensive.

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European/North African Theatre: Second Battle of El Alamein (Oct–Nov 1942) - turning point

British and Commonwealth forces defeated Rommel’s army in Egypt, forcing Axis retreat. This stopped Axis control of the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil, helping the Allies win North Africa. British empire forces defeated German forces at El Alamein in Egypt. By November the Germans were retreating in North Africa, and in May 1943 they were forced to surrender.

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Pacific theatre: Kokoda Campaign (July–Nov 1942) - turning point

Australian troops fought tough battles along the Kokoda Track in Papua, stopping Japan from capturing Port Moresby. This kept Australia safe and allowed Allied attacks in New Guinea.

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What is D-Day

D-Day refers to June 6, 1944, the day when the Allied forces launched a huge invasion of German-occupied France during World War II.

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D-day tactics

  • Deception: Double agents spreading fake intelligence, that Pas De Calei was the actual landing to keep the actual landing spot safe: Normandy

  • Surprise: Army dropped in harsh weather conditions, where the Germans didn’t expect them to land in.

  • Another way of Deception: The Allies set up fake tanks, equipment, and radio signals opposite Pas de Calais to trick the Germans into thinking it was the real invasion target. This deception kept German troops away from Normandy, helping the success of D-Day.

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how did the rats of tubruk get their name

the german’s called them “Rats” in propaganda and the australians embraced the name

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Significance of the australia looks to america speech

During World War II, Australia shifted from relying on Britain for defence to building strong ties with the United States, driven by the war and Britain’s inability to protect the Pacific.

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Causes of the atomic bombing

  • End the war quickly – The US aimed to force Japan’s surrender without a costly invasion.

  • Show military power – Demonstrated the destructive capability of nuclear weapons, partly to assert dominance in the post-war world (especially toward the USSR).

  • Retaliation and pressure – Response to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and the refusal to surrender after conventional bombing and blockades.

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Consequences of the Atomic bombing

  • Immediate devastation – Hiroshima and Nagasaki suffered massive destruction; over 100,000 people died instantly, with many more injured.

  • Radiation effects – Long-term illnesses, cancers, and birth defects from radiation exposure.

  • Japan’s surrender – Directly contributed to Japan surrendering on 15 August 1945, ending WWII.

  • Cold War tensions – Accelerated the arms race and deepened mistrust between the US and USSR.

  • Moral debate – Sparked ongoing ethical questions about nuclear warfare.

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when were the atomic bombings

Bombing on Hiroshima - 6 August 1945

Bombing on Nagasaki - 9 August 1945

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When did Germany surrender

Adolf Hitler, refusing to surrender, took his own life in his bunker on 30 April 1945. On 7 May 1945, Germany officially surrendered to the Western Allies, followed by a surrender to the Soviets on 9 May 1945- a date still celebrated in Russia as Victory day

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Why did Italy join the allies

Italy joined the Allies in October 1943 after switching sides in World War II because:

  • Mussolini’s downfall – In July 1943, Benito Mussolini was overthrown, and the new Italian government, led by Marshal Pietro Badoglio, sought peace with the Allies.

  • Military defeats – Italy suffered major losses in North Africa, the Soviet Union, and after the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943.