Download Discuss the major American military operations

1. Discuss the major American military operations - land, sea, and air - in
the Atlantic/European/North African Theaters from December 1941 to
the end of 1943.
The military history of the United States during the late stages of World War
II covers the involvement of the United States during this worldwide struggle.
The Empire of Japan declared war on the United States of America on 7
December 1941, immediately following the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor on the
same day. On 11 December 1941, Germany and Italy also declared war on the
United States. Until that time, the United States had largely maintained
neutrality, although it had, since March that same year, supplied the Allies with
war materiel (Baer, 1996). During the war over 16 million Americans served in
the United States military. Many others served with the Merchant Marine and
paramilitary civilian units like the Women Air force Service Pilots (WASPs).
The United States entered the war in the west with Operation Torch on 8
November 1942, after their Russian allies had pushed for a second advance
aimed squarely against the Germans. Yet, all the operations were not successful.
For example the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Although this was a significant defeat
for the U.S., it likely lead to a major change with the appointment of General
Patton. In addition, the tide started to turn in the Allies favor, as the Allies
stopped the German advance in Tunisia and by March was fighting back hard.
Later in the year, the Allies smashed through the Mareth Line and broke the Axis
defense in North Africa. On 13 May 1943, Axis troops in North Africa
surrendered, leaving behind 275,000 men. Allied efforts turned towards Sicily
and Italy.
The first stepping-stone for the Allied liberation of Europe was the "soft
underbelly" of Europe on the Italian island of Sicily. Launched in early July,
Operation Husky was, at the time, the largest water based operation ever
undertaken. The operation was a success, and by mid August the Allies were in
control of the island.
References
Baer, G. (1996) One Hundred Years of Sea Power: The U. S. Navy, 1890-1990 p.
162.
2. Discuss the major American military operations - land, sea, and air - in
the Pacific Theater from December 1941 to the end of 1943.
The battles that took place towards the end of World War II are often
referred to as the Pacific War, as much of the fighting took place there.
Furthermore, The term Pacific War is used to encompass the Pacific Ocean
theatre, the South West Pacific theatre, the South-East Asian theatre. Most
historians agree that this portion of World War II, representing the entry of the
U.S. to the fight, is largely due in part or wholly to the attack on Pearl Harbor by
the Japanese.
The Pacific War saw the Allied powers fighting against the Empire of Japan,
Germany, and Italy. The war came to a head with the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and other large bombing raids by the United States
Army Air Forces, held in the air, ultimately resulting in the surrender of Japan
and the official end of fighting during World War II on August 15, 1945. The
formal and official surrender of Japan occurred aboard the battleship
USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 (Lind, 2010).
In addition, submarines played a role in the battles as well, with many being
called in to service particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Further, in the
1940s, the submarine armament was put in to full effect, aided by the poor
organization of the Axis defense and overpowering skill of U.S. forces.
References
Lind, J. (2010). "Sorry States: Apologies in International Politics". Cornell
University Press. p.28.