History of Japan: 1936-1945

Japan and Germany unite to politically oppose global communism   Anti Comintern Pact   Nazi Germany

Beijing, which is right by the border to Manchukuo is overrun by Japanese soldiers one month after the Marco Polo Bridge incident   Battle of Beijing

The Chinese troops retreating from Shanghai feebly attempt to put together a defense of Nanking, but it crumbles quickly as the city is surrounded and the Japanese begin hunting and executing chinese soldiers or fighting age men presumed to be hiding soldiers   Battle of Nanking

The unchained Japanese army having just captured Nanking begins one of the greatest war crimes in modern history by committing large scale looting, murder, and rape on the civlian inhabitants of Nanking. It is estimated that around 200,000 Nanking civilians were killed during this time and 80,000 rapes committed against the women, who were usually killed afterwards. The Japanese army tried to keep a secret what was going on in the city.   Rape of Nanking

Germany begins a pseudo agressive action by annexing Austria into Germany, begining Hitler's encroaching agressive actions in Europe

The largest battle yet. Millions of Chinese troops attempt to protect Wuhan against the seemingly unstoppable Japanese advance.If Japan captures Wuhan it has the second largest city in China and a central transportation hub in their hands   The destruction of levies on the Yellow river was rdered to create a flood that would delay the Japanese. This ended up killing roughly 1 million Chinese civilians but did succeed in delaying the Japanese   However despite investing great resources and enduring for months, the Chines defenders are pushed out and the Japanese capture the city.   Battle of Wuhan

The other European powers allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia as a part of the Munich agreement where Hitler falsely promises to cease agressive actions.   Munich Agreement

In violation of the Munich agreement, Hitler annexes Bohemia and Moravia. No actions are taken in retaliation

Italy begins its own agressive actions by annexing the neighboring country of Albania.   Kingdom of Italy

The Japanese blockaded British holdings within the city of Tientsin due to them harboring Chinese assassins. Eventually the British turned over the assassins to the Japanese. The incident was a source of tension between Britain and Japan.   Tientsin Incident

The Japanese make landings in the Guangxi region in southern China, quickly occupying the area with low levels of resistance and capturing the key city of Nanning   Battle of South Guangxi

In order to secure their northern flank, Germany invades Denmark and Norway, successfully sealing off an angle of attack from the allies.   Operation Weserubung

In a shocking turn from the events of the great war, the French and British defense of France crumbles with little resistance. This leaves hundereds of thousands of British troops nearly stranded on the beaches of France awaiting passage home, eventually escaping the Germans through near miracle.

Japan announces its commitment to creating an asia for the asians, and expunging the European colonizers. This veils the Japanese desire to simply replace the Europeans with themselves, but the seemingly noble aim resonates with many Japanese and other asians.   Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere   Empire of Japan

After the fall of France, Japan sees an opportunity to sieze French territory in Asia, and sends an ultimatum to the French demanding French Indochina so they can open a new front against the Chinese in the south. The French eventually capitulate to the demands.   Japanese Invasion of French Indochina   Republic of France

The United States sends pilots and fitghter planes to act under the flag of the Republic of China and assist in the fighting of the Japanese invasion. This played a key role in Japan deciding that America was trying to provoke a war, and Japan should preemptively strike before this occurs.   Flying Tigers   United States of America

The race for the atomic bomb has begun. The extremly intensive and elusive weapon was the object of desire for every major nation in the war, but only attempt ever succeeded. The Untied States Manhatten Project headed by Robert Oppenheimer was able to succeed after year and large levels of investment.   Manhatten Project

In an escalation of tensions between Japan and the USA, America decides to sieze all Japanese assets within its borders, and impose an oil embargo on Japan. TThe oil in particular is a critical blow to the Japanese war machine since Japan's domestic oil production is 1/100th of the size of America's. Oil is the life blood of Japan's ability to wage war, and without it, it only has its dwindling reserves to rely on. This is considered the second major pillar to fall that led to the events of Pearl Harbor, as Japan believed its only options were surrendering in China, or militarily seizing all western oil rich holdings in Asia to continue to fuel its war.

Germany after quickly gaining ground against the Red Army, finally stalls on the outskirts of Moscow. Taking Moscow was in Hitler's mind the final deathnail for the USSR. Whether or not this was true we will never know because the Germans never took Moscow. This represents a turning point in the war, where German momentum finally stopped.   Battle of Moscow

Japan invades the British controlled Gilbert Islands.   Japanese Invasion of the Gilbert Islands

Japanese planes bomb allied instillations all throughout Asia, softening them up for ground invasions to follow soon after.

Japanese bombers sink Britains biggest warships in Asia, the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales off the coast of Malaysia. This was a wake up call and humbling moment for Britain regarding the power of Japan.   Sinking of the Prince of Wales and Repulse

Japan attempts a series of attempts to sieze the American controlled Wake Island, eventually succeeding.  

The Japanese land on the northern most islands of the American controlled Philippine Islands, preapring to square off against the American led Filipino garrison commanded by General MacArthur.   Phillipines Campaign   United States of America

The Japanese continue their invasion of the Dutch East Indies, launching a combined amphibious and paratrooper attack on the island of Sumatra. This marked the first use of paratroopers by the Japanese in the war.   Invasion of Sumatra   Kingdom of the Netherlands

The last line of defense for the American defenders in the Philippines. The determined but undersupplied defenders eventually surrender to the Japanese.   Battle of Bataan

Having reached the gates of Singapore island at the end of the Malayan penninsula, the Japanese take the remaining enemy soldiers hostage and prepare for their showdown with the impregnable island city manned with thousands of British soldiers and coastal batteries.

The Japanese land at the Australian controlled city of Rabaul, east of New Guinea. The Australian garrison is quickly overwhelmed and the city is taken.   Battle of Rabaul

The climax of the Malayan campaign, General Yamashita invades the supposedly impregnable fortress city of Singapore with its 80,000 strong British garrison with a mere 30,000 Japanese soldiers. It is considered the greatest defeat in British military history, and a humbling moment for the British who finally must accept that the Japanese are not to be underestimated.   Fall of Singapore

The Japanese begin bombing northern cities in Australia. The threat of a Japanese invasion of Australia loomed heavy for much of the war, and actions like this felt like harbingers of inevitable doom for Australians at a time when the Japanese seemed unstoppable.

The first major naval battle of the Pacific war. The Japanese navy enagages and defeats a contingent of Dutch ships in the Java sea in preperation for an invasion of Java.   Battle of the Java Sea

Following the battle of Bataan and subsequent surrender, the Japanese forced the American and Filipino POWs on a brutal march from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell. Many thousands of prisoners died due to mistreatment by the Japanese on the journey. It is considered one of the most notable Japanese war crimes.   Bataan Death March

The first major naval engagment between Japan and America during the war. The Japanese and American carrier fleets battle with Japan winning a tactical victory. The Americans lost a fleet carrier (Lexington), and had one majorly damaged (Yorktown). The Japanese thought it to be destrooyed but the Americans were able to repair it before the decisive battle of Midway.   Battle of Coral Sea

The Japanese conclude their conquest of British Burma, putting them on the doorstep of India.

Considered the "turning point" of the war. After rapid and largely unchecked advances, the Japanese finally hit a wall. The Americans had cracked the Japanese code and were able to prepare for a Japanese attack on Midway island. American dive bombers loacted the Japanese fleet and sunk 4 of Japan's precious and prized fleet carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu. The Americans only lost Yorktown. Due to Japanese industrial inferiority, unlike America's, Japanese carriers were not so easily replaced. The outcome of this battle was kept tightly under wraps by the military, who lied to the public, and sent those navy personnel present at the battle to dangerous situations so the secret would die with them. If everything before Midway was endless Japanese victory, everything afterwards would be endless Japanese defeats.   Battle of Midway

The most notable Japanese naval victory over the Americans during the war. In response to American landings in the Solomon Islands as part of the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Japanese Navy sought to control the area around the islands, and ended up spotting and sinking several American ship. The remainder of the Guadalcanal Campaign will not go so smoothly for the Japanese though.   Battle of Savo Island

Another rare Japanese naval victory surrounding the Guadalcanal campaign. The Japanese successfully sink the USS Hornet.   Battle of Santa Cruz

The Japanese, failing to make any headway against the Australian forces on New Guinea, stop their campaign to conquer the island.

The American navy emerges victorious from a naval battle off the coast of New Guinea.   Battle of Bismarck Sea

The Japanese army kills 30,000 Chinese civilians in the city of Changjiao.

American forces land largely unopposed on the Trobiand Islands.

The Japanese fail to fend off American landings on Vella Lavella Island in the Solomons. The Japanese find better success at sea but fail to stop the campaign.   Battle of Vella Lavella (land)   Battle of Vella Lavella (Naval)

An inconclusive naval battle off the coast of the Solomon Islands.   Battle of Kula Gulf

The first Axis domino to fall, Italy was always the weakest of the three. With the allied assault of the penninsula, and Benito Mussolini killed, the Italians opted to surrender to the allies. An ill harbinger for the remaining two.   Italy Surrenders

The Americans begin their Gilbert Islands campaign witha landing on Tarawa. The tropical paradise turns into a bloodbath for each side, with the Americans seizing the island afdter 3 days of brutal fighting.

The American Island hopping campaign moves north to the Marshall Islands. The main action happens in the battle of Kawajalein. The Japanese suffer a crushing defeat on all islands the maericans land at including Kwajalein.   Battle of Kwajalein   Marshall Islands Campaign

The Americans invade and capture the Admiralty Islands off the coast of New Guinea.   Admiralty Islands Campaign

Having suffered a stalemate for countless months on the China front, Japan seeks to wrap things up and crush the Kuomintang forces. Thus was born Japan's greatest military operation in its history: Operation Ichi-Go. The technical goal was to create a land route from Manchuria to Indochina, which was successfully achieved to an extent, in reality the major effect of the operation was the crushing of the Chinese army, which lost over half a million when the operation concluded.   While Japan was ghreatly successful against Chinese Nationlist forces, the Chinese front was not tottally wrapped up by this. The true implication of this campaign was felt after the war when the battered Kuomintang was beaten by the Communist Chinese rebels. Ironically the Japanese inadvertently put their worst enemy right on their doorstep.   Operation Ichi-Go

The Japanese suffer possibly the most outrageous defeat at the end of their quixotic invasion of Imphal. Japanese forces advance without a supply line, hoping the beasts of burden they bring along with them will suffice to eat. This was not the case and the Japanese forces are struck with starvation, allowing the British to handily win against the previous unstoppable Japanese forces.  

The Americans land and take the island of Saipan. The Japanese are crushed, and in an act of desperation launch the largest Banzai charge in history where 4,000 soldiers charged to their deaths.   This battle is particularly important because if an airbase is placed on Saipan, American bombers will be able to reach the Japanese home islands, something once though unthinkable for a nation that shuddered from the Doolittle Raid.   Battle of Saipan

With Saipan taken, it was only a matter of time till the apocalyptic image of American bombers over Tokyo shattered any delusions of the propagandized Japanese citizens. False news reports on endless Japanese successes can only enchant the minds of people so long until reality shatters these fragile lies. These initial bombings are nothing compared to what comes later though...

A controversial battle due to the negligible value of the island strategically, combined with the high casualties the Americans incurred. Peleliu was nonetheless taken, but at great cost. Peleliu began Japans new deadly and inovative methods of island defense that would only grow in fearsomeness as the Americans creeped closer to the home islands. Sophisticated bunkers and cave systems allowed the Japanese to hide from the overwhelming American firepower, forcing the Americans to fight oon Japanese terms.   Battle of Peleliu

Keeping his promise to return, General MacArthur is ready to take back the Philippines from the Japanese. The initial battle ends very poorly for the outnumbered and outgunned Japanese.   Battle of Leyte

The Americans easily take Ulithi Atoll.

To prevent their POWs in Palawan Philippines from falling into enemy hands, the Japanese executed 139 allied soldiers.   Palawan Massacre

The American island hopping camapign breaches into Japan's inner perimeter. Japanese efforts to stave off the American advances intensify greatly, culminating in the island fortress of Iwo Jima. A tiny little island with black sand beaches and a single mountain called Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima doesnt seem like the place worth spilling inordinate blood over. General Tademichi Kuribayashi was tasked with making a last stand on the island with the goal of taking down as many Americans as possible, knowing the island would be his grave. Intricate tunnels were carved in preperation, making clearing the island a nightmare for the American invaders.   Virtually the entire force of 20,000 defenders was killed by the end, but it was by far the msot painful battle yet for the American marines who suffered many thousands of casualties of their own. If this kind of savage defense is what Japan will put up for a tiny volcanic speck, imagine the hell that awaits America the closer they get to the home islands...   Battle of Iwo Jima

The Japanese battleship yamato was a powerful symbol of Japanese pride. One could count the number of nations capable of building such a magnificent vessel on one hand, and Japan, a formerly backward nation was among them. The Yamato was the largest battleship ever made, wielding massive 18 inch cannons in order to win any engagment through the sheer power of being able to outrange any opponent. The Yamato's name comes from the very name of the Japane race of people also called "Yamato". In this sense so long as the Yamato battleship was afloat, the Japanese spirit was also afloat. The Yamato, pride of Japan, was unceremoniously sunk by a harassing contingent of American planes rather than in a blaze of glory against enemy ships. The Yamato took hit after hit, sinking extremly slowly due to its massive size, and along with it any hope Japan had of a happy ending to this war.   Sinking of the Yamato

The allied forces retake Burma, concluded with Rangoon being retaken. While the Japanese ultimately lost, they performed well considering the state of things   Burma Campaign

The British navy meets the Japanese off the coast of Malaysia and defeats them in a small battle.   Battle of Malacca Strait

Breaking the neutrality pact between the two nations, the Soviets pour into Manchuria, overrunning the unprepared, exhausted, and undersupplied Japanese defenders. Surely after an atomic bomb and yet another world superpower closing in on the home islands Japan would surrender right?   Soviet Invasion of Manchuria

The leaders of Japan were held hostage by fear of assassination from their radical subordinates. Many of the Japanese long ago wanted to surrender but wanted to live even more, and so the cataclysm continued. However with the atomic bombs and Soviet invasion, even the Japanese elite realized the gravity of continuing the war. Emperor Hirohito broke a tie vote, and the decision to surrender to th allies was made. A recording of the emperor announcing the surrender was made and preperations made to play it.   Major Kenji Hatanaka and his allies sought to prevent this surrender from occuring, and opted for a Coup d'etat. Unfortuantely he fell short of recieving the institutional support needed to carry out this coup on such short notice, and his plan failed. Kenji ended up committing suicide outside of the Imperial Palace.   Kyujo Incident