Ww2 Turning Point Essay

War World II began in 1939 and there were many turning points in the war that led to the eventual end of the war in 1945. One of the first turning points came when American codebreakers were able to understand the Japanese military code which tipped them off to where the Japanese ships would be. The Battle of Midway, which took place in May 1942, ended in Japanese defeat, which cost them four air craft carriers. It was also the first defeat for the Japanese Navy in 350 years. The battle “blunted Japan’s military momentum, eliminated the treat to Hawaii …and bought time for the United States to mobilize its massive industrial productivity for a wider war. “ (1165) After many battles in the Solomon Islands the Japanese were defeated and Guadalcanal

became the first land victory.
The troops continued to drive the Japanese out of the islands and by 1945 they landed on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

They landed first on Iwo Jima and “it took nearly six weeks to secure the tiny island at a cost of nearly seven thousand American lives.” (1196) Next, was the island of Okinawa, which was even harder but important because “…it would serve as the staging area for the planned invasion of Japan.” (1196) After about 3 months they secured the island and began to plan their invasion of Japan.
One of the last major turning points in the war with Japan was the use of the atomic bomb on two Japanese cities. By this time in the war bombing was a standard military practice and “Truman said that he “never had any doubt that it should be used”.” (1197) They gave the Japanese a chance to surrender and when they didn’t the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A few days later after they still hadn’t surrenderd the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and that night the U.S and Japan began communicating and the Japanese accepted the terms on August 14th 1945.
After the Allies were victorious in North Africa they turned their focus toward Sicily and Italy. About 25,000 British and American troops landed in Sicily and had the whole island in their hands by August of 1943, which ended Mussolini’s rule. Eventually they were able to capture Rome in June of

1944.
Operation Overlord was the attack on Hitlers “Atlantic Wall” of fortifications and mines along the French coastline. It was planned by Dwight Eisenhower and succeeded because it was so carefully planned and took the Germans by surprise. (1183) Although, the plan was not perfect there was many different problems with the landing and many troops died. But, in the end “with the beachhead secured, the Allied leaders knew that victory was in their grasp.” (1184)
U.S. and British troops often worked together during WWII during battles. Although sometimes they worked separate. There also were disagreements sometimes between British and American commanders. But both the British and American troops played a big part in the war. One instance after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima the Soviet Union wanted to enter the war with Japan but Truman was “…fearful that the Soviets Union’s entry into the war would complicate negotiations.” (1200) Which was what led them to drop the second bomb so the war could end.