War Strategies of the Pacific

1. War Strategies of the Pacific

2. Inspiration • There are many things that influence strategies for war. Such influences are: • Chess • Sports • Marbles • Previous Wars and Battles

3. Pacific War • Since most of the land in the Pacific is islands, most of the fighting became “island-hopping” or more like playing checkers. • Strategy – Take the corners and move in • War was primarily conducted using planes against ships in the sea. • Strategy – Battleship – Find and destroy biggest ones first and don’t let them find your big guys

4. Doolittle Raid – Pawn Work • Retaliation for Pearl Harbor Attack • Direct bombing on Japanese soil • Little material damage done • Most of the Americans returned home, sooner or later • Point – Use small offense to destroy opponent’s main offense and gain mental advantage • Aggressive advances with pawns as a decoy • Quick, short, decisive strikes • Still need to protect, whether it be through a main piece or staggering • Little damage but can win game with King

5. Battle of Coral Sea – Sneak Attack with Protection • Japanese focused on controlling New Guinea, north of Australia • Attack both sides of island • U.S. sneaks navy in and surprises Japanese • Heavy losses for both • U.S. stopped Japanese advance and forced retreat • Point is to wipe out their main offensive forces with little to no loss • Need to be ready to lose value • Trade equal or ensure the opponent has heavier losses • Need a hidden attacker, such as a Queen

6. Battle of Midway – Trap vs. Trap • Turning point of the Pacific Theatre • Japanese tried to lure American ships into a trap • Codebreakers turned the tide • Heavy losses • Ineptitude of Japanese forces • U.S. now on offensive • Point is to make opponent think he has you in a trap but you are setting them up in a trap of your own • Willing to lose pieces • Must protect most important pieces • Must do significant damage to their main offensive pieces

7. Guadalcanal – Two Little Wars • Land Battle • Infiltrate Lines and hold position • Take main part of island and force the Japanese into a bad position • Naval Battle • U.S. tried to cut supply lines and harass • Japanese could never make a substantial breakthrough and were choked • Point – Open a fight on both sides of the board and set a trap for the opponent up the middle • Must be willing to lose on both sides but stay patient for the trap • One of the sides must be held to a virtual stalemate and the other must receive action to keep diversion secret

8. Battle of Iwo Jima – Behind Enemy Lines • Most popular battle of Pacific Theatre and first battle on Japanese soil • U.S. got behind Japanese lines and slowly decimated the Japanese forces • Advantage in numbers and tactics • Point – Sucker the opponent into bringing offensive pieces with limited movement to front, then get behind • Must use a decoy • Keep opponent’s offense limited while you capture the main weapons

9. Battle of Okinawa – All Out Plus Trap • Close island to Japanese mainland • Last stand of Japanese forces • Deadliest battle of the Pacific Theatre • “Violent wind of guns” • U.S. spread out the Japanese forces and “cherry-picked” • Point – To make the match purely offensive while holding on the key pieces for the capture • Stack the line • Order of capture is important • Careful to show plan • Must have 2 back row pieces left plus King • Must capture opponent’s offense or you fail

10. Wrap-Up • Know when to surrender. • Japanese were beat and basically only held their homeland. Should’ve surrendered but their pride wouldn’t allow it. • In chess, if one of the strategies fails and your opponent is left with obvious offensive advantage, go for stalemate or lay down. No point in prolonging the match. • Preparation is the key • Know your enemy • Execute