The History of the Twentieth Century 424 From Z to A
9 snips
Nov 9, 2025 Explore Japan's strategic crisis in 1944 as military leaders grapple with dwindling resources and interservice conflicts. Discover the turning tide with the U.S. offensives in Tarawa and Kwajalein, and get insight into the political turmoil back in Tokyo as Tojo consolidates power. Learn about the dramatic carrier raid on Truk and the growing concerns among Japanese leadership regarding the war's direction. Lastly, uncover the ambitious but flawed Plan Z intended to counter Allied advances and the desperation that accompanied Japan's military decisions.
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Interservice Rivalry Cripples Strategy
- Japanese army and navy clashed over aircraft allocation as defeats mounted in 1944.
- Both services agreed air power was vital, yet rivalries undermined cohesive strategy.
Kwajalein's Brutal, One-Sided Fight
- U.S. Marines landed on Kwajalein after intense bombardment and quickly overwhelmed the island's defenders.
- Nearly all 8,500 Japanese fought to the death while American losses numbered 373.
Truk Strike Shattered Japan's Forward Hub
- The U.S. neutralized Truk with a surprise carrier strike that destroyed ships, planes, and fuel supplies.
- The attack erased Truk's value as a forward base and worsened Japan's supply vulnerabilities.
