Question

What was the goal of the Americans' campaign against the Japanese in the Pacific?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. to capture bases from which to bomb the Japanese home islands

Explanation:

In a sense, yes, but also no. The answers are half right and half incorrect.

The American's campaign against the Japanese saw a island-hopping strategy, in which the US took over key islands from the Japanese, which either 1) cut off the supply lines to other smaller islands, making the Japanese troops stationed there void and ineffective, or 2) taking islands for their own strategic value. It is important to note that throughout this entire campaign, the only nation that was taken that was not strategic was the Philippines. The only reason why General McArthur "visited" the island was because he promised the people he would be back to liberate them (following the fall of the Philippines).

The strategic value of each island taken typically fell under one of these sectors. 1) The island cuts off other islands, 2) The island has a air field. If the island is close enough or is in the middle of the ocean, it was generally taken, either because it has an airfield already, or has the means in which one can be created on there. Refueling sites & landing strips were then created, so that less planes had to ditch out in sea if they ran out of fuel.