There are many differences between the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. In my paper I will be discussing the similarities, and the differences between the two Theatres and also between to battles and two major leaders.
The most important difference is the Terrain. The war in Europe was mainly fought on land, but the Pacific side was privileged with surrounding water. This gave the Pacific side of the war a huge advantage over the European side because in order for the Europeans to engage with the Pacific they had to cross over the water, either by boats, or through aircraft. Another thing that affected the war between these two theaters was the weather. Soldiers fighting in the war had to experience different weather, ranging from summer in the Sahara Desert all the way to winter outside of Moscow or St. Petersburg. The European side would have to deal with very cold temperature, which caused them to get fevers which was not a good thing to have during the war. On the Pacific side, they would have to deal with the tropical heat. The humidity was so bad that it would cause health complications and maybe even casualty.
A similarity between the Pacific and European Troops were the conditions and the tactics that
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They had to wear the same exact uniforms as when they first got ashore. In the Pacific Theater, the troops trekked through an entire two weeks of rain, which soaked through their uniforms and made them really uncomfortable and heavy! On both fronts, common tactics were fighting for long periods of time, taking prisoners, and field stripping both prisoners of war and the dead. Also, both theaters used weapons like grenades, shellfire, and rifles. The contrasts between both fronts were that troops in the pacific used weapons like bayonets, sabers, sub-machine guns, artillery fire and air strikes, and one tactic was that they had orders not to kill the wounded, though some soldiers did this
"World War II (1939-45)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Ed. John G. Royde-Smith and Thomas A. Hughes. Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.
The Pacific War was extremely interesting to read and it was well written. It covered the fifteen year war in comprehensible way and it was engaging for the reader. Ienage’s main argument throughout his book was Imperial Japan was able to cause so much damage within the Pacific theater due to its tight control of civilian life. He provides clear examples of this by looking at the control of the media, public schools, and military. Ienage also does an amazing job at providing an analytical viewpoint of Japanese
The Americans commander was Israel Putnam, there were 1,500 American Troops, the clothing they would have wore would be shoulder belts, cartridge boxes or some would choose waist-belts made of canvas or leather. The higher officers would wear a short hanger or sword, they would usually keep muskets or light fuels on them while they was on duty.
The day to day life for the regular soldier was not glorious. Many times the regiments were low on supplies such as food and clothing. They lived in the elements. Medical conditions were grotesque because of the lack of advanced equipment and anesthesia. “Discipline was enforced with brutality” as if all the other conditions were not bad enough.
Soldiers faced diseases like measles, small pox, malaria, pneumonia, camp itch, mumps, typhoid and dysentery. However, diarrhea killed more soldiers than any other illness. There were many reasons that diseases were so common for the causes of death for soldiers. Reasons include the fact that there were poor physicals before entering the army, ignorance of medical information, lack of camp hygiene, insects that carried disease, lack of clothing and shoes, troops were crowded and in close quarters and inadequate food and water.
One of the major diseases that almost permanently affected the soldiers was Shell Shock which was due to constant exposure to horrific scenes of death. Source A1 is an extract from a historian writing for the First World war aimed at students, focuses on ...
"World War II". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. .
Geography affects this war through many different ways. Even the most simplistic of all military objectives require some sort of understanding of the geography of the region. Whether this would include the climate or just the physical geography of the area, it does affect decisions made and how tactics are ran. The main way physical geography would have an impact, is that it would help in understanding certain aspects of the environment. Thus this would allow leaders to create clear and effective plans for the war. Without comprehending this, it may result in more casualties, or even losing the war. Without understanding certain cultural and political boundaries, the war could become even more devastating. To have no comprehension of this would result in destruction and turmoil among the frontline.
On June 4th, a legendary battle took pace over the pacific sea. The battle of midway was the turning for America in World War 2. The air attacks of Japan and America would continue for many days. America won the battle and took out half of Japans carriers. It battle was a great victory for America, considering the fact that japan had much greater forces. This battle was the start of America taking control of the war over the pacific. This battle took place six months after japans first strike a Pearl Harbor. Many histories say this was the greatest air battle of all time. America not only proved that numbers didn’t matter, but showed that only leaders with clear eyes and soldiers with heart can win a battle of any size.
McGuigan, Cathleen. "Theater Of War." Newsweek 151.14 (2008): 52-53. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 28 Mar. 2010.
Unsanitary hospitals and camps kept the wounded soldiers in large groups, which were ideal places for infection, fevers and disease to spread. Soldiers were not immune to childhood diseases like the measles and smallpox. Medical science has not yet discovered the importance of antiseptics in preventing infection. Water was contaminated and soldiers sometimes ate unripened or spoiled food. There weren’t always clean rags available to clean wounds.
On December 7th 1941, Japanese Planes and submarines attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor. This event singlehandedly brought the U.S from its then neutral stance in World War Two to a fighting member of the “Allied Powers.” Pearl Harbor was the first of a long series of confrontations between the U.S and the Japanese in an effort to gain control of the Pacific. Unlike the “War in Europe” the Pacific strategy was dominated by naval and aerial battles, with the occasional land-based “Island Hopping” Campaign. As such, one of the most important factors in the war in the pacific was Fleet Size, the more ships a country could send to war, the better. Pearl Harbor was the Japanese’s way of trying to deal with the massive U.S Pacific fleet. However, Pearl Harbor was not the turning point of the war. After December 7th the United States began work on numerous technological developments which would ultimately help them in one of the most important battles of WWII, the largest naval confrontation of the war, The Battle of Midway. The battle, which took place from June 4th to June 7th , 1942 is widely considered the turning point of the Pacific Theater (James & Wells). Through the Post-Pearl Harbor desire for “Revenge” and various technological advantages including code breaking and radar, the U.S were able to outsmart the Japanese at Midway and ultimately win the battle, eventually leading to a victory in the Pacific.
Even though half of a century separates us from the unforgettable event, it left horrible memories especially in those who saw, felt and experienced World War II which was waged on land, on sea, and in the air all over the earth for approximately six years. Whether it’s a battle, hospital, or holocaust, there are so many stories from the survivors, who can teach us not only about the profession of arms, but also about military preparations, global strategies and combined operations in the coalition war against fascism.
Whitman, Edward C.. “Rising to Victory: The Pacific Submarine Strategy in World War II.” Accessed November 25, 2013. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html.
Some of the advancements made had a direct effect on those at home particularly children and mothers. The inspection of refugees and conscripts exposed poor health habits that led to advancements to improve health nutrition and control conditions such as scabies. Nurses roles also became more critical during war time. In July 4th, 1943 nurses were required to also have special military training. This included not only additional training in flied sanitation psychiatry and anesthetic, but also physical conditioning to build endurance. They also reviewed training in how to set up field medical